Sideways into a kerb at 15mph!

[Splathead]

Earlier today, I slid on ice into a kerb sideways on a housing estate at about 15mph - both wheels seemed to make contact at the same time (no damage to the wheels).

Now, at dual carraigeway speeds around sweeping left hand bends, I have a high frequency vibration (not like wheel balance issues) that builds and then declines in severity about every two seconds. (when travelling at a constant speed). In a straight line there is no vibration.

I suspect that the tracking may be out a little bit but I have been told by my local tyre fitter that they can not do a 4 Wheel Alignment.

Could the problem be something more serious?
Is it a main dealer job to check the alignment of all four wheels?

 

[S3 HODGE]

Got away lucky by the sounds of things. Sounds like alignment....Main dealers sound pricey for the 4 wheel drive alignment, Theres a local Protyre here that does 4 wheel alignment so im sure there will be something were you are that does.
Good luck.

 

[paddy]

Any tyre dealer worth his salt can do 4 wheel tracking !!!!!! I cant see how he can do 2 wheel tracking without lining up against the other 2 ie: 4 wheel tracking

Could be your wheels out of line and the tyre tread singing but more likely wheel a wheel bearing i think. Can only guess mate.

 

[S3RYE]

wheel bearing... whirring + vibration! got lucky! i cant understand how other s3's are struggling..? mines been sweet as a nut!

 

[Splathead]

Booked in at a local independant for a free alignment check and then £23.50 per axle if required.

Don't think that it's a wheel bearing as the noise and vibration would be constant under load (around the bend). Could be though - I'd not considered it.

I'm pinning my hopes on alignment......

I was surprised to find myself travelling sideways at that speed. It turned in to the bend without a problem and then just snapped sideways and I wasn't even on the throttle. From that point, I was just a passenger.

 

[david_phillips95]

sorry to hear mate, my symtoms sound worse i get constant vibrations, my front wheel took the full impact on its side so its either buckled or the bearing, doesnt seem like tracking as it doesnt pull left or right and the wheel when held straight keeps the car straight.

Davie

 

[Splathead]

OK, so yours seems worse.

In other news, I have just tried to take the front wheel off to so that I can gain access for a 1m steel rule across the face to see if it is buckled but I don't have the tool to take the centre cap off the wheel. I have checked the foam insert in the boot and the slot where it should be is empty.

Does anyone have a spare one (if you have posh new wheels) or know the part number?

 

[gixxer600k4]

some garages can not to alignment as you need a full laser check system. do a quick search in your local area for laser alignment

 

[david_phillips95]

us a screw driver that fits in the removal hole, thats what i had to do till i got another one ha

Davie

 

[Splathead]

some garages can not to alignment as you need a full laser check system. do a quick search in your local area for laser alignment

A14 tyres in Bury St Edmunds assure me that they have a full all singing, all dancing Laser system. Most of the other places that I rang said that they could not do the rear. I had visions of the car crabbing down the road and politely declined!!

us a screw driver that fits in the removal hole, thats what i had to do till i got another one ha

Part number is 6X0012243 - about 40p (or I might just bend a piece of wire)

 

[Mick a3]

I did this in my old car to find out I had completley bent my rear axel! Baring in mind it was a fiat.

 

[Splathead]

I did this in my old car to find out I had completley bent my rear axel! Baring in mind it was a fiat.

Yikes!

 

[Splathead]

Tracking is now sorted. 1.5mm out at the front but the rear was fine.

I've also just spotted through the winter grime that the front wheel is scuffed. Pants!

I still have the same noise though - so probably the bearing. I'll leave it for a while to worsen (as I don't think that Audi Techies would spot it yet) and then get it changed under warranty.

£0.43 for the Centre Cap Tool (6X0012243) if anyone needs to know for reference.

 

[Sohrob]

sounds like me although i went head on into a bollard

Id get the car cleaned and have a good check for any damage, i was lucky as it only popped out the towing eye cover and scuffed the paint which pretty much polised out.

The s3 has a strong front bumper!!

 

[mitch78]

£0.43 for the Centre Cap Tool (6X0012243) if anyone needs to know for reference.

Or just use your fingers, it isn't that difficult to get them off.

 

[mac1403]

OK, so yours seems worse.

In other news, I have just tried to take the front wheel off to so that I can gain access for a 1m steel rule across the face to see if it is buckled but I don't have the tool to take the centre cap off the wheel. I have checked the foam insert in the boot and the slot where it should be is empty.

Does anyone have a spare one (if you have posh new wheels) or know the part number?

Just use an old wire coat hanger mate

 

[DaveS3Turbo]

I did a similar thing on our ICey road. I was going about 5 mph and the car with ABS would not stop at all. It's a bad car in ice downhill as is any car.

David

 

[10blazin]

dc joint may of snapped i had vibration from mine at high speed its turns out it was the cv joint ..