Off centre steering?

[Andy_S]

I'm convinced this issue is almost certainly an electronic calibration error, rather than anything to do with the geometry/alignment

http://www.audi-portal.com/en/diagnostic/ecu_13036.html

This is what I think as well, I did suggest this to the workshop manager last time it came back, and he said it was next on the list try. You'd think they would check it the first time it was in!

I wonder if it is similar to the B7 in that if you disconnect the battery it re-aligns the steering wheel sensor automatically when driven...

This is what it seems to be doing, except that it's setting itself back to the wrong angle after they set it straight. Almost like whichever sensors tells the wheel it's straight is calibrated wrong.

I kind of told them last time they had one more chance to sort it or I would want another car ordered from the factory. Hopefully it won't come to that, it seriously can't be that hard to get the steering to point straight, even if it does need a full new rack.

And I've spent an unhealthy amount of time driving in the centre, and on the wrong side of country roads trying to rule out a camber issue.

I've sent them an email, and had a reply back to say they are getting advice from Audi before getting it back in, fingers crossed for a fix this time!

If anybody just happens to be sat in their car, it would be really helpful if someone could do me a huge favour...if you could put the steering in comfort mode, and spin the wheel lock to lock. Does it stop at the same angle either side? Just need to confirm if it's normal for it to be different, Audi say it is, but that doesn't sound right to me???

[Graeme4130]

I know it's an rs5, but system is identical bar the assists package
Full lock left and right

Would appear to go a few more degrees left over right

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I'm really bored (on hold) and just compared the images using photoshop after some transformations and they are almost pixel perfect!

[Graeme4130]

I'm really bored (on hold) and just compared the images using photoshop after some transformations and they are almost pixel perfect!

Another tough day in the office Ads?

[Graeme4130]

Long 'on hold' periods are a pet hate of mine... Along with misaligned steering

[Andy_S]

Greame that is excellent, thank you very much.

Just to confirm, so they can't argue with me, that's with your car in comfort mode?

Here's mine:

Held to the right, about the same as yours I would guess:


And to the left, hmm somethings not right!:

[Graeme4130]

Correct, in comfort mode
Tried in all modes and makes no difference at 0mph

[RIV]

Just give them one last chance to sort it, and if it's no good hand the keys back
We all go about things in a different way,I wouldn't waste too much time go back and forward to the dealer for such a simple problem, they should be able to get the steering wheel in the bloody centre you would think

[Graeme4130]

Just give them one last chance to sort it, and if it's no good hand the keys back
We all go about things in a different way,I wouldn't waste too much time go back and forward to the dealer for such a simple problem, they should be able to get the steering wheel in the bloody centre you would think

If you haven't already, get in touch with Audi UK and start their downward pressure on the dealership rolling. The guy you want is craig.westwood@audi.co.uk
The dealer can make all the attempts in the world to repair it and that'll be where their obligation ends. Audi UK will look at it from a customer retention point of view and also that they can't afford one of their halo models to receive bad press.

Personally, if it was my car, I'd have started the formal rejection procedure already and let Audi uk/dealer then go about what they're going to do about it. if you push Audi UK hard enough, they'll get you a better courtesy car than your dealers 1.8 A3. They might take a couple of weeks to source it, but the ball will be rolling and then once you have an equivalent courtesy car, the ball's in their court to get yours right. The dealer will be pushing harder too, as they'll be getting invoiced from Audi UK's mobility team for the courtesy car you have
Make sure you pile on the 'I bought a 60k car, so I want an equivalent courtesy car' and 'I didn't buy into the sports car brand to spend time driving around in a Diesel A4" Take no prisoners and you'll get a better result

[Andy_S]

Thanks all, it's really appreciated, and gives me something to go back to them with. I've already got a case open with Audi UK, and the dealer head of business, rejecting car has been discussed, but lets face it, it shouldn't have to go that far for an issue like this.

They apparently checked with Audi UK, and it's normal for the steering to stop at different angles.

Anyway, I'm booked in Wednesday morning for a meeting with the workshop foreman so I can point out first hand what the issues are. So he can then go back to Audi UK and hopefully get it sorted.

I'm getting their new RS Q3 demo to play with in the meantime, maybe not quite an equivalent car, but I'm happy enough with that.

Cheers,

Andy

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They apparently checked with Audi UK, and it's normal for the steering to stop at different angles.

Well, yes, I would agree. All the tolerances add up and things are never perfect.

However... We are talking degrees here.
What you have shown in the pictures is way way way WAY over and above what would be considered normal.
(note- definitely worth sending to Audi customer services as until you put the pics up I thought it was normal too)

I have seen something like this before though - if there is a mistake during alignment and the person doesn't spot it then it compounds the problem. What I suspect is that the steering wasn't central at some point (most likely is one spline out on the steering column) and they have tried to compensate with track rod and other adjustments. These are really for fine tuning and could never take account of an error that you would get being a spline out.
To me, this explains the whacky lock to lock ratio you have, the inability to get the rack sensor lined up with the steering sensor and why turning one way feels heavier/different to the other (as the suspension geometry for castor will be shot to hell).

You might be able to find this for yourself if you measure the track rod end lengths either side (should just be a wheel off job).
Personally I think that this needs a reset and start again with all adjustments removed and assume you were geo-ing a new car.

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Also worth getting protractor or (iphone spirit level app) out and actually documenting the amount of rotation you get from zero degrees either way.

[adsgreen]

I'm really bored (on hold) and just compared the images using photoshop after some transformations and they are almost pixel perfect!

Another tough day in the office Ads?

It's my office and it's just far to hot to do anything remotely productive

[Graeme4130]

I'm really bored (on hold) and just compared the images using photoshop after some transformations and they are almost pixel perfect!

Another tough day in the office Ads?

It's my office and it's just far to hot to do anything remotely productive

That's the best kinda office
Mine today was trying to screw 300 crappy screws and badly fitting washers into a ramp underwater with the Crappest air gun ever. Nice to be outside, but that was about it today

[Andy_S]

They apparently checked with Audi UK, and it's normal for the steering to stop at different angles.

Well, yes, I would agree. All the tolerances add up and things are never perfect.

However... We are talking degrees here.
What you have shown in the pictures is way way way WAY over and above what would be considered normal.
(note- definitely worth sending to Audi customer services as until you put the pics up I thought it was normal too)

I have seen something like this before though - if there is a mistake during alignment and the person doesn't spot it then it compounds the problem. What I suspect is that the steering wasn't central at some point (most likely is one spline out on the steering column) and they have tried to compensate with track rod and other adjustments. These are really for fine tuning and could never take account of an error that you would get being a spline out.
To me, this explains the whacky lock to lock ratio you have, the inability to get the rack sensor lined up with the steering sensor and why turning one way feels heavier/different to the other (as the suspension geometry for castor will be shot to hell).

You might be able to find this for yourself if you measure the track rod end lengths either side (should just be a wheel off job).
Personally I think that this needs a reset and start again with all adjustments removed and assume you were geo-ing a new car.

I think I'll be showing this post to the Audi tech on Wednesday as I think you've hit the nail on the head there.