Audi quattro 'shudder' - normal?
Discussion
Hi - a quickie question for the wider audience of GG...
Just picked up a very nice 51 plate A3 1.8t Quattro. All is going well except at low speed especially when parking or pulling away from tight junctions or navigating a multi-storey car park, the car just doesn't feel happy.
The ESP light flashes and the depending which way you're turning a single front or rear wheel scrambles for a split second. It feels a bit uncomfortable for the car - almost as if it's twisting up while turning and then trying to 'un-twist'when the wheel slips.
So is this normal or is it a sign that the 4x4 system ain't happy?
p.s. loving the world of second hand bargins for a change! £1,800 for 118k A3 sport with 1 owner, fresh MOT and averaging 35mpg
Just picked up a very nice 51 plate A3 1.8t Quattro. All is going well except at low speed especially when parking or pulling away from tight junctions or navigating a multi-storey car park, the car just doesn't feel happy.
The ESP light flashes and the depending which way you're turning a single front or rear wheel scrambles for a split second. It feels a bit uncomfortable for the car - almost as if it's twisting up while turning and then trying to 'un-twist'when the wheel slips.
So is this normal or is it a sign that the 4x4 system ain't happy?
p.s. loving the world of second hand bargins for a change! £1,800 for 118k A3 sport with 1 owner, fresh MOT and averaging 35mpg
You see that's why I'm asking - a quick google gives conflicting views just like the first comments here!
All tyres are same brand although they are slightly different pressures (as stated in the manual) and of similar wear. If I avoid the lock stops it helps and as above poster says if I wind a bit of lock it sorts itself out.
I'm quite sensitive to mechanical sympathy so it just feels a bit wrong!
All tyres are same brand although they are slightly different pressures (as stated in the manual) and of similar wear. If I avoid the lock stops it helps and as above poster says if I wind a bit of lock it sorts itself out.
I'm quite sensitive to mechanical sympathy so it just feels a bit wrong!
Ok wee update: coil pack failed but replaced under Audi warranty, but... The Quattro system is still acting weird.
The very decent independent spanner (who owns a mint RS2) says he's never seen a Haldex lock the rear wheels under full lock and doesn't know what's causing it
he has recommended another garage who specialises in 4x4 and gearbox/diff stuff so we'll see.
On the plus side he gave it the full bill of health which was reassuring and he thinks the previous owner (respectable doctor chap) may have remapped it - but it must be losing boost at high rpm as it doesn't fell 180bhp+ quick
So not knowing much say the rear diff is buggered can this be eh 'removed' so that I can have a normal front wheel drive A3? (I've seen people on here talk about removing front drive to convert other cars to rwd)
The very decent independent spanner (who owns a mint RS2) says he's never seen a Haldex lock the rear wheels under full lock and doesn't know what's causing it
he has recommended another garage who specialises in 4x4 and gearbox/diff stuff so we'll see.On the plus side he gave it the full bill of health which was reassuring and he thinks the previous owner (respectable doctor chap) may have remapped it - but it must be losing boost at high rpm as it doesn't fell 180bhp+ quick
So not knowing much say the rear diff is buggered can this be eh 'removed' so that I can have a normal front wheel drive A3? (I've seen people on here talk about removing front drive to convert other cars to rwd)
Has the Haldex been serviced with oil and filter? At least every 40k? Does the haldex actually work at all, have you tried launching the car or at least felt the rear kick in yet?
Try pulling out fuse 31 to disabled the Haldex controller or pull up the handbrake just a single click when the light comes on the dash - this will also disable the haldex unit. Does the problem still persist? If so it would suggest the rear diff is at fault, not the controller or haldex clutch. You can change the rear diff oil (this is a completely seperate unit to the haldex controller which also has it's own type of oil)
Try pulling out fuse 31 to disabled the Haldex controller or pull up the handbrake just a single click when the light comes on the dash - this will also disable the haldex unit. Does the problem still persist? If so it would suggest the rear diff is at fault, not the controller or haldex clutch. You can change the rear diff oil (this is a completely seperate unit to the haldex controller which also has it's own type of oil)
Edited by VWAUDI on Thursday 25th October 21:28
CoolHands said:
why on earth would you buy a 4wd then remove the rear drive? All due respect but it sounds like you have no idea what you're doing.
We were after a small hatchback for carrying the dogs about and I didn't want something ugly, rattlely, slow or diesel - the fact that it was a 4x4 was a bonus but not a reason for buying...No offence taken but I'd rather be honest in not knowing rather than pretending I do
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