Do you find your steering wheel (too?) "alive" / "firm"?

[Gazsouthgate]

Evening all - perhaps a bit of a subjective question this.

I recently knocked the NSR wheel out of alignment on the Chunnel clipping the kerb on entry (lesson learnt!) and suffered some noticeable vibrations coming through the steering wheel and chassis at certain speeds as soon as I drove off.

I had the car re-aligned with Audi and the wheels balanced. The vibrations are massively diminished (nothing through chassis) but now I am hyper sensitive to how the steering wheel feels, especially in the zone where vibrations were worst (70-80mph). I THINK there are still some noticeable buzzes and vibrations as some speeds but I am not sure if I'm simply going mad and in fact it's just the consequence of 21inch wheels, and 35 profile rubber and i need to get over it and that's just how the car feels - ie quite an "alive" steering wheel. MRC gave a second opinion and thought it felt normal.

For reference I know I'm fussy but I think I have some degree of perspective - my other car is a caterham so I have a pretty clear bar on how "alive" steering wheels can get over the bumps - I just expected the Audi to run much smoother, more floatier, almost without steering wheel being "alive" in the hands. I just got back from renting a Smart 4-4 in Spain and the wheel didn't change its feel from 0 to 120kph, literally nothing through the wheel at all, so I'm after a bit of a straw poll on

- What do you guys think a "normal level" of firmness is - do you find the wheel is quite "alive" in your hands too?

- Does anyone have a view on whether running 20s is much better?

Help and opinions very welcome and hopefully I can either tell myself to stop worrying or think about looking at other set-ups.

[JAMES]

When you say alive do you mean light, tramlining, torque steer? I have found the steering light and sensitive at high speed or under hard acceleration. Behaves better in dynamic

[Markp]

I actually run mine in comfort for same reason - glad we are all different

[Gazsouthgate]

Good point I should clarify - I more mean, responding to ruts, bumps and tramlines in road by moving about in your hand, rather than gliding over them.

I drove my C7 (should have mentioned) back from the airport tonight and frankly have concluded that the vibration is still there and I'm not going mad - quite a noticeable "buzzzzz" at 77mph which is really annoying.

Has anyone experienced the "buzz" specifically, or this sensitivity to ruts and bumps more generally?

[almoRS]

I have the "buzz" at the moment at higher speeds. I had this previously after before I had all tyres re-balanced and 2 new ones fitted. I hit another pothole recently and it has started again. I suspect it may be the balancing or some of pointless "silencing" foam that the Audi specific tyres have has come loose again. I will need to get a tyre fitter to check it again. Seriously need to get rid of the Dunlops and switch to Michelin MPSS which doesn't have the foam rubbish.

[Gazsouthgate]

I have the "buzz" at the moment at higher speeds. I had this previously after before I had all tyres re-balanced and 2 new ones fitted. I hit another pothole recently and it has started again. I suspect it may be the balancing or some of pointless "silencing" foam that the Audi specific tyres have has come loose again. I will need to get a tyre fitter to check it again. Seriously need to get rid of the Dunlops and switch to Michelin MPSS which doesn't have the foam rubbish.

Ah interesting - is "the buzz" a "thing" - I thought i was alone in suffering it, but from searching these forums it seems quite common. I hit so many potholes in London it's absurd and so I'm wondering whether a new set of 20s are the answer for me.

And tell me more about this silencing foam, what is it?

[almoRS]

I have the "buzz" at the moment at higher speeds. I had this previously after before I had all tyres re-balanced and 2 new ones fitted. I hit another pothole recently and it has started again. I suspect it may be the balancing or some of pointless "silencing" foam that the Audi specific tyres have has come loose again. I will need to get a tyre fitter to check it again. Seriously need to get rid of the Dunlops and switch to Michelin MPSS which doesn't have the foam rubbish.

Ah interesting - is "the buzz" a "thing" - I thought i was alone in suffering it, but from searching these forums it seems quite common. I hit so many potholes in London it's absurd and so I'm wondering whether a new set of 20s are the answer for me.

And tell me more about this silencing foam, what is it?

On the standard car on 21s the tyres that come from the factory normally Dunlops or Continentals are a special "R01" code which contain a foam on the inside to reduce road noise.

Here is Conti's explanation:

http://www.continental-tires.com/car/te ... ontisilent

Cheers

Al

[MikeFish]

Gaz, your 1st post states 21" wheels with 35 profile rubber. I assume this is a typo as he 21s should be wearing 30 profile (assuming correct width of 285).

[Gazsouthgate]

Gaz, your 1st post states 21" wheels with 35 profile rubber. I assume this is a typo as he 21s should be wearing 30 profile (assuming correct width of 285).

Gah you are right...am on 30 profile.

[Gareth_rs6]

I have the same issue. Car went in for a service at Christmas came out with this vibration, which is worse between 67-80 mph. The vibration is sort of like a wheel imbalance issue but seems to go through the whole of the front of the chassis not just vibrating the steering wheel but feeling it in the front seats, the gear knob, the dash and the steering of course. It also is also feels similar, but somehow different to wheel imbalance, more buzzing, more high frequency but still staccato, hard to explain. I can also feel it through the brake peddle when stopping which is disconcerting and it is much worse on concrete sections of the motorway.

I have had both front tyres balanced and realigned, and whilst that made it a bit better, it is still there. I haven't had time to keep taking it in and out of Audi to get it experimented on to be fixed but that will need doing in the next few months.

Really interested to see how you get on.

Gareth

[Gazsouthgate]

Thanks Gareth - completely sympathise about the whole "don't have time to keep taking it in and out" - i feel that i need a full day with a dedicated mechanic trying different things. First step for me is going to switch fronts and rears around and try and see if that makes a difference through the wheel. At this stage I'm really only feeling it through the wheel - and the best description I can give for the feeling is...er...ahem....a er..."lady entertainment device" ....but that's the best description.

Will keep you updated - i'm completely with you on the 67-80mph zone...after 80 I'm always fine, but 67-80 is my "lady entertainment zone" which is not entertaining at all...

[Bit_evl]

Does the wife share the car with you ?

[Gazsouthgate]

Does the wife share the car with you ?

Hahah. She actually can't drive....

[gtrs6]

I had this on my offside front on 21" wheels at 1,700 miles, turned out to be the foam inserts and replaced under warranty.

[Gazsouthgate]

Very interesting Gary - I've still not had a chance to get this looked at and it's driving me a bit spare. How did you investigate - can "any old" tyre place inspect the foam inserts by simply taking the tyres off the rim?