2006 2.0 TDI cabriolet very unstable and floaty

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jimbooboo

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Hi,

Ive noticed my car has become very unstable to the point where its scary at reasonable speed. Today I over took a car on a long straight but had to slow down while pulling back in and it felt like the front right hand side 'dove in' making it feel like the back end was going to kick out. Even when not braking and just steering side to side it feels feels very floaty and even unsafe.


I did a test where I braked from about 30-40 to rolling speed on a straight without touching the wheel and it didn't pull to any particular side but it did feel very biased towards the front brakes..


Ive had brand new tires fitted on the back today and it seems like it has been since those were fitted but I don't see why? I checked the tires and they were slightly over inflated so I let some air out and its still the same. I ran vagcom and got:


error 00532 on the ABS unit, i think it said supply voltage b+ signal too low ? or something?

Also ran the scan last week and got 01826 - Sensor for Steering Wheel Angle (G85) Supply Voltage Terminal but I cleared that and it didn't comeback on rescan or the scan I did earlier where the other ABS error present.


Looking back i do remember spilling some screen wash on the ABS control unit but could this really cause an issue?


Would appreciate your help as I have a 60 mile daily commute and it just doesn't feel safe!

I took it into a garage and they checked all the bushings and dampers and everything, couldn't find any leaks or play etc.

When sat stationary on my drive, i did notice the front offside is slightly lower? When you feel between the tire and arch there maybe 10mm difference..

The mechanic said the shockers are on their way out, but i was a bit skeptical as the steering response is a bit mushy? But I guess this can also effect this.

If it does turn out to be the shocks, can anyone recommend a good set of coilovers? Budget ones i.e FK, JOM etc? They seem to lower the car 30mm min but I want to keep the same ride height maybe 10mm drop max, maybe just firm it up a bit, any out there that let me do this?

Thanks, James
 
Does it only for this under braking of any kind or does it feel the same by coming off the throttle without touching the brake pedal.
 
RMH1A4cab said:
Does it only for this under braking of any kind or does it feel the same by coming off the throttle without touching the brake pedal.
Click to expand...

Hi there. It can be just cruising at say 60 mph and wiggling the steering where it feels very weird. Like the te car is rotating about a central vertical axis or somesomething


cheers. James
 
Very strange.

Have you had the geometry checked are all the wheels straight and not buckled (my mates range rover went like this with a buckled wheel) , it could be many things and without seeing the car in the flesh it's difficult to diagnose.

Could be a totally screws shock that would mess up the handling but so would badly worn bushes ect.

Process of elimination I'm afraid, where about are you there maybe a good trustworthy indi near by.
 
Hi, I haven't had the geometry check no, but even if the geo was spot on would it still feel floaty? It does feel a bit odd tbh.

All the bushes are fine.

I'm based in barnsley, don't really know any reputable specialists around here though.


Thanks for your help. Cheers
 
After further testing, it feels like it could be more steering related. Yes there is a little more body roll than before but the steering feels like its a little 'behind'. I was pulling into the works car park today and nudged the car to the right and then steadily turned the wheel back to left and it felt like there was a delay until there was like a 'bite' to the wheel, as if there was play in the system.

Ive had it on ramps and everything but the mechanic said he couldn't feel any play or anything.

The car doesn't knock or clunk or anything.

I do think the wheels need re balancing though as it vibrates a bit at 70+ but obviously that shouldn't give me the issues I'm having when at rolling speed?


If anyone on here is from barnsley and knows their way around an A4 please get in touch because you will notice the difference between yours and mine. Will give me some perspective as to how bad it is or if this is just normal.


2006 Cabriolet S-line completely standard.



Cheers, James
 
If its started since you've had new tyres fitted then that could be the cause! Have you changed the brand of tyre fitted? New tyres can make a massive difference! Always remember years ago that only Goodyear Eagle F1's were recommended on MGF's. They could be very difficult to drive on anything else! Maybe you should swap the fronts to the back and see how you get on?
 
MGTURBOM said:
If its started since you've had new tyres fitted then that could be the cause! Have you changed the brand of tyre fitted? New tyres can make a massive difference! Always remember years ago that only Goodyear Eagle F1's were recommended on MGF's. They could be very difficult to drive on anything else! Maybe you should swap the fronts to the back and see how you get on?
Click to expand...

I think ive only noticed it then but the weird steering responce is even at low speeds even not turning much so I dont think its the rear causing this.

It feels like there is play in the wheel but when jacked up theres no evidence of any.


:/


Cheers, James
 
I have a 2.0 tdi q s-line and its never been truly stable compared with its 2 predecessors' and as the tyres have worn a bit its gone worse , it feels like its trying to turn in to corners all the time and its very sensitive to tyre pressures its on 235 - 45 17 Dunlop sport tyres .

I want to go 18" wheels but can't decide on wheel tyres combination . I fancy VW sciroco fan wheels but at 45 offsett they would need spacers and I am not going down that route .
 
gradwells said:
I have a 2.0 tdi q s-line and its never been truly stable compared with its 2 predecessors' and as the tyres have worn a bit its gone worse , it feels like its trying to turn in to corners all the time and its very sensitive to tyre pressures its on 235 - 45 17 Dunlop sport tyres .

I want to go 18" wheels but can't decide on wheel tyres combination . I fancy VW sciroco fan wheels but at 45 offsett they would need spacers and I am not going down that route .
Click to expand...

I thought s-line came with 18" as standard?

It used to feel really solid, I've done 20k in it since June 2012 but its all mostly motorway mileage.

Its annoying not knowing what it is. I don't want to go throw time and money at parts that aren't broke to then find it hasnt fixed the original issue.


Help meeeee.



Cheers, James
 
Personally I'd start at wheels/tires if I was closer I would help, if another member could let you swap wheels at least you could rule that out.

The power steering on the A4 is electric I think so I don't think it would be that.

I'm still not convinced that a bush or track rod end is worn as they are classic things with the symptoms your car has, when I check these the car goes up on a car lift, need a big lever bar to properly check for any play.

I have an A4 cab S-Line and it's very planted especially after i got rid of the awful Dunlop tires which would understeer and tram line on the motorways.
 
The car corners really well i can acceleate round a round about and it will stick, its jsut when i maybe go side to side the steering veerys weird.

I'll run a scan on it tonight as i did have steering angle sensor faultthe other week but cleared it and it hadnt come back and that was even after a scan last week so.

The front offside does site slightly lower than the nearside.. Could this indicate any problems in particular?


Thanks, James
 
Quite possibly, you could have a failing shock or cracked spring, you need to check on perfectly flat ground as a tiny incline will give you a false reading.

Have you done a steering angle reset, if I remember correctly.

Drive the car so wheels/steering wheel are straight.
Stop the engine remove key
Start engine
Turn full to left lock.
Turn full to right lock
Return to straight ahead and drive forward.

This is from memory but it's close enough.
 
Last edited:
Will give that a shot when I nip out for lunch!

Thanks for the heads up.

In your opinion, can you see a very very slightly bent back wheel causing issues to this extent?

Cheers, James
 
jimbooboo said:
Will give that a shot when I nip out for lunch!

Thanks for the heads up.

In your opinion, can you see a very very slightly bent back wheel causing issues to this extent?

Cheers, James
Click to expand...

It certainly won't help, depending on how bent the yes it could definitely cause you issues I would change ASAP.

A friend of mine owns a*Beissbarth Microline alignment machine and I've spent many hours learning how to set up a cars geometry, if one wheel is not running true parallel with the other wheels it will make the car behave in very strange ways.
 
Ah right fair enough then. Will get that sorted... tbh I really want to get a new set of wheels.

Any ball park figures for full geo and also wheel repair etc?


Cheers, James
 
jimbooboo said:
Ah right fair enough then. Will get that sorted... tbh I really want to get a new set of wheels.

Any ball park figures for full geo and also wheel repair etc?


Cheers, James
Click to expand...

:thumbup:

A full geo from a good alignment centre anything from £80-£300 do not use the like of kwik fit there machine are awful and staff are not very well trained. My car gets aligned every year and it's incredible how much it move with just general use due to things like pot holes /speed bumps.
Check on other car forums for a reputable place near you.
 
Cool.

I certainly don't wanna pay £300 for wheel alignment haha.

Tbh it probably needs doing anyway so at least if it gets done and the problem still persists I know its not that AND its nice and lined up..

Up early at weekend then, got a few chores to be done!

Do you know how long it usually takes to be aligned?

Cheers, James
 
Where are you?
I have a spare set of 16" alloys(im selling) you could borrow if your local.
 
Hi Mate, I'm up th' north in barnsley Junch 36 M1 so quite a way away from you I think. But I appreciate the offer!
 
jimbooboo said:
Cool.

I certainly don't wanna pay £300 for wheel alignment haha.

Tbh it probably needs doing anyway so at least if it gets done and the problem still persists I know its not that AND its nice and lined up..

Up early at weekend then, got a few chores to be done!

Do you know how long it usually takes to be aligned?

Cheers, James
Click to expand...

As long as you don't have any seized bolts it takes less than an hour, my previous car (Honda S2000) had 8 seized bold cost £600+ to put right, a lot of people change them to poly for that reason.
 
Ouch, I best go round them all and spray some WD40 on them or something lol.

Thanks, James
 
Right did a scan with vagcom

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Address 01: Engine Labels: Redir Fail!
Part No SW: 03G 906 016 KN HW: 03G 906 016 KN
Component: R4 2,0L EDC 000SG 9794
Revision: --H02--- Serial number:
Coding: 0000072
Shop #: WSC 00468 210 91757

No fault code found.
Readiness: 0 0 0 0 0

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Address 03: ABS Brakes Labels: 8E0-910-517.lbl
Part No SW: 8E0 910 517 H HW: 8E0 614 517 BF
Component: ESP8 FRONT H06 0140
Revision: 00000000 Serial number: 00000000000000
Coding: 0004405
Shop #: WSC 00672 785 00200

1 Fault Found:
00532 - Supply Voltage B+
000 - - - Intermittent
Freeze Frame:
Fault Status: 00100000
Fault Priority: 3
Fault Frequency: 1
Reset counter: 3
Time Indication: 0

Freeze Frame:
Hex Value: 0x0A00
Hex Value: 0x5302
Hex Value: 0x0003
Hex Value: 0x02AE
Hex Value: 0x0001


-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Address 08: Auto HVAC Labels: 8E0-820-043.lbl
Part No: 8E0 820 043 BL
Component: A4 Klimaautomat 2833
Coding: 00100
Shop #: WSC 00672

No fault code found.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Address 09: Cent. Elect. Labels: 8E0-907-279-8EC.lbl
Part No: 8E0 907 279 N
Component: int. Lastmodul ECE 0907
Coding: 20001
Shop #: WSC 00672

No Faults Found
or DTCs not supported by controller
or a communication error occurred

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Address 15: Airbags Labels: 8H0-959-655-94.lbl
Part No SW: 8H0 959 655 E HW: 8H0 959 655 E
Component: Airbag 9.42 H09 1840
Revision: 92H09184 Serial number: 0037Y000ATZW
Coding: 0071114
Shop #: WSC 00672 785 00200

No fault code found.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Address 16: Steering wheel Labels: 8E0-953-549.lbl
Part No: 8E0 953 549 Q
Component: Lenksáulenmodul 0601
Coding: 02011
Shop #: WSC 00672

No fault code found.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Address 17: Instruments Labels: 8E0-920-9xx-8E2.lbl
Part No SW: 8H0 920 950 Q HW: 8H0 920 950 Q
Component: KOMBI+WFS 4 H14 0110
Revision: 0110 Serial number: 00000000000000
Coding: 0006411
Shop #: WSC 00468 210 84739

1 Fault Found:
00457 - Control Module for Network (J519)
004 - No Signal/Communication - Intermittent

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Address 26: Auto Roof Labels: 8H0-959-255.lbl
Part No: 8H0 959 255 A
Component: VSG B6 CABRIO 6792
Shop #: WSC 00672 785 00200

No fault code found.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Address 45: Inter. Monitor Labels: 8E0-951-177.lbl
Part No: 8H0 951 178
Component: Innenraumueberw. 0411
Coding: 00001
Shop #: WSC 00000

No fault code found.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Address 46: Central Conv. Labels: 8E0-959-433-MAX.lbl
Part No: 8H0 959 433 K
Component: Komfortgerát T3B 5141
Coding: 06895
Shop #: WSC 00672

Part No: 8H2959802D
Component: Tõrsteuer.FS BRM 0205

Part No: 8H2959801D
Component: Tõrsteuer.BF BRM 0205

Part No: 8H0959801A
Component: Tõrsteuer.HL BRM 0002

Part No: 8H0959802A
Component: Tõrsteuer.HR BRM 0002

No fault code found.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Address 56: Radio Labels: 8E0-035-1xx-56.lbl
Part No: 8E0 035 195 M
Component: symphony II PM6 0460
Coding: 00205
Shop #: WSC 00512

No fault code found.

End ---------------------------------------------------------------------

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Address 01: DTCs cleared
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Address 03: DTCs cleared
 
I don't think issue is with my dampers so perhaps speding some money on good springs maybe an option? Like I said one side is lower than the other which wouldn't indicate dampers?

Ive pushed down on each side and it does dampen okay.
 
I'm having the same problem with my 05 2.0tdi s-line saloon, it seems to track any imperfection on the road in a straight line but cornering its all ok. All the bushes and ball joints look ok and have no play in them and the alignment was done by awesome gti at great expense.

i was thinking its either weak springs/dampers or possible steering rack but with both options being quite expensive I don't want to be throwing money into it for it not to solve anything.
 
It's definitely something do with the steering or something like that. It feels off even when driving super slow which tells me it's not the dampers.

Will be spending all day on it tomorrow so hopefully will have some answers.
 
How can I adjust the steering rack? Is there anyway I can tighten something to take out the slop in the gear meshing?



cheers james.
 
There was the issue of the 1 of 3 bolts coming loose on the rack, main culprit was the bolt under the battery on the B7 Chassis, i asked my service ctr to check them and they re-torqued them, said they were tight anyhow. But can't remember where i saw this: Poss recall or service issue, i remember printing it and giving it to them. was a blow up of the EKTA picture of the bolt position in the bulkhead. I'd start with that!

Hope this helps!

Biddyy..
 
audi upgrades
Right had the tracking today and its no better so I have had it jacked up again this time boths sides at the same time and wheels off and you can see the upper and lower control arm bushes have split etc and there is some excessive play in them. This is on both sides. So!

Looks like I need:
both upper, inner and outer control arm bushes
Both inner and outer wishbone bushes
Tie rod ends

Anyone else think of any other bushes I might as well replace while im at it?

Also, if anyone can sort of translate this into 'proper' part names that would be great, will be easier when I go to the parts place.

Excessive play in control arms Audi A4 B7 Cabriolet S-Line 2006 - YouTube


The bushes ion the video are where the movement I think is coming from but if there are any others I might as well replace please give me a heads up!

Thanks, James
 
Biddyy said:
There was the issue of the 1 of 3 bolts coming loose on the rack, main culprit was the bolt under the battery on the B7 Chassis, i asked my service ctr to check them and they re-torqued them, said they were tight anyhow. But can't remember where i saw this: Poss recall or service issue, i remember printing it and giving it to them. was a blow up of the EKTA picture of the bolt position in the bulkhead. I'd start with that!

Hope this helps!

Biddyy..
Click to expand...

Biddyy, any chance you could post a picture of the bolt locations please? I'm going to spend a day on it next week and if its as simple as torquing bolts then all is good
 
Decided to replace all the control arms instead.

Photo2

6/8 there, they didn't have the upper rear controls arms in so going to fit all these and fit the others as and when. £150 for the above and another £50 for the remaining 2. Good price?


Cheers, James
 
Hey, here it is the bolts to the rack, a well known issue apparently!

87866690

Biddyy..
 
You might want to consider fitting a RS4 rear anti roll bar too.
Is one of the best mods I have done to my car.
 
come over to sheffield
ill get my mate to put it on and check geo
balance wheels and give the shocks and springs a full check
if its any spring shock iv got a full set of s-lines from a 2007 with 25k on them if any turn out to be bad
 
Pinch bolt. What an utter ******* that thing is.

Ive only managed to get the offside done due to spending 6 hours on just the pinch bolt. In the end I had to drill it out.

No improvement in handling. Maybe when I get the right hand side done it will.


Also, are the S-line bushes the same as non s-line in terms of stiffness etc? I got my control arms from a local parts dealer and there was nothing in their book that differentiated between s-line and non s-line

I jsut dont want to loose the nice firm S-line ride...

Cheers, James
 
Sorry am sure this been asked, and I am almost sure you have double checked this but your tyre pressure: have you had right good look at them. I am gobsmacked the difference a splash of air in each tyre affects my steering / feel from my OEM 17's wheels and good tyres. I hope you get it sorted doing all the hefty changing your involved in, but can't stress how much getting those tyre pressures right, can make a difference.

Good luck.

BR
A
 
Molnboman said:
Sorry am sure this been asked, and I am almost sure you have double checked this but your tyre pressure: have you had right good look at them. I am gobsmacked the difference a splash of air in each tyre affects my steering / feel from my OEM 17's wheels and good tyres. I hope you get it sorted doing all the hefty changing your involved in, but can't stress how much getting those tyre pressures right, can make a difference.

Good luck.

BR
A
Click to expand...


Hi mate, thanks for the input but yeah I've already checked the tire pressures.

Aside from the control arms, what else could It be?

The tire pressures are okay,
Steering rack is fine?
 
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