Second S5; Control Arms Replaced & Vibration Is Back!!

dlr218 · 24th September 2009, 05:16 PM

I am on my second S5. It is a 2009 with every option except the electronic suspension. Just had the control arms installed 3 - 4 weeks ago... Vibration is slowly coming back. Not as prevalent as before but starting like before. Either in the morning or after the car has been sitting all day. Instead of at speeds between 63 to 71, it is right around 53 to 54. It also does not last as long as before. After 10 minutes it almost completely dissipates...

Can anyone who has had the control arm fix and has had it for a while, please chime in... I am worried the nightmare is starting all over again, and the battle with Audi will never end...

Thanks!!

Meteor Ghost · 24th September 2009, 05:42 PM

I just had my control arms replaced by the dealer today and the vibration is finally gone, and I'm happy!

However I was afraid this was possibly in my future. I've read that some owners have had the vibration come back.

Has the dealer road force balanced your tires and put the lowest values towards the driver and so forth?

If the vibration is still apparent I would have them replace the tires but I'm just proactively thinking as to what will be my next step if the vibration comes back on my car.

hashluck · 24th September 2009, 10:32 PM

Your description sounds to me like something I have long suspected that for whatever reason the tyres on the S/A5 are susceptible to flat spotting. My car vibrates as well for the first few miles, longer if the car has been sat a while then it settles down. On a recent long run driving holiday I had no issues whatsoever.

loc · 24th September 2009, 11:44 PM

I don't think it is the tyres in itself (although they have clearly flatspotted in this example I think), it is the cars setup that is susceptible to imperfections. New control arms with new bushings will remedy it somewhat, I believe, but big imperfections (like flatspotting) will still shine through.

Hopefully the original poster will only get shimmy in these instances, such as when wheels are cold and have flatspotted. Hopefully it will not get any worse.

Summary:

Tyre and vibration issues in Audi A4 B8/A
http://a6retrofit.tripod.com/article...vibration.html

specialk2980 · 25th September 2009, 12:27 PM

I just got my car back last week. With new control arms the vibration was still present, so the dealer swapped out all 4 tires which they claim solved the problem. After a week of driving, I am starting to notice a small vibration again. I noticed it around 70mph where as before it was 60-65. I am going to keep monitoring for another week or two and then bring it in again if persists.

(I have an 2009 A5)

dlr218 · 26th September 2009, 01:41 PM

Thank you for the replies... A little more observation... Before the control arm replacement, when turning the steering wheel at slow speeds in a parking lot, i would notice some feedback, reverberation or vibration, in the steering wheel. Once the install was done, this was all but gone... I now have noticed this is back again. I used to attribute it to the "ALL-WHEEL" drive system, but now i have to wonder... Figured i would add that tid-bit as well... Anyone else experience this??

Thanks!

24th September 2009, 05:16 PM	#1
dlr218 Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 24	Second S5; Control Arms Replaced & Vibration Is Back!! I am on my second S5. It is a 2009 with every option except the electronic suspension. Just had the control arms installed 3 - 4 weeks ago... Vibration is slowly coming back. Not as prevalent as before but starting like before. Either in the morning or after the car has been sitting all day. Instead of at speeds between 63 to 71, it is right around 53 to 54. It also does not last as long as before. After 10 minutes it almost completely dissipates... Can anyone who has had the control arm fix and has had it for a while, please chime in... I am worried the nightmare is starting all over again, and the battle with Audi will never end... Thanks!!

24th September 2009, 10:32 PM	#3
hashluck Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Berkshire/Oxfordshire - UK Posts: 524	Your description sounds to me like something I have long suspected that for whatever reason the tyres on the S/A5 are susceptible to flat spotting. My car vibrates as well for the first few miles, longer if the car has been sat a while then it settles down. On a recent long run driving holiday I had no issues whatsoever. __________________ 2009 Audi A5 Sport 3.0 TDI quattro tiptronic, Quartz Grey Metallic, Black Milano Leather, 19 x 8.5J '5-spoke Y' Alloys, Bang & Olufsen, Mobile Phone Prep - Low, Satellite Navigation System Plus, AMI, Audi Parking System Plus, Cruise Control, Auto Dim Mirror, Interior Light Pack, Xenon Plus Headlights with LED DRLs, Heated Front Seats

24th September 2009, 11:44 PM	#4
loc Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: EU Posts: 1,014	I don't think it is the tyres in itself (although they have clearly flatspotted in this example I think), it is the cars setup that is susceptible to imperfections. New control arms with new bushings will remedy it somewhat, I believe, but big imperfections (like flatspotting) will still shine through. Hopefully the original poster will only get shimmy in these instances, such as when wheels are cold and have flatspotted. Hopefully it will not get any worse. Summary: Tyre and vibration issues in Audi A4 B8/A http://a6retrofit.tripod.com/article...vibration.html __________________ My A5 retrofit links: A5 VAG COM codes list http://a6retrofit.tripod.com/articles/a5vagcodes.html A5 "real" MMI vs. radios explained http://a6retrofit.tripod.com/articles/a4a5realmmi.html AMI parts/retrofit http://a6retrofit.tripod.com/articles/a4a5amiparts.html Homelink retrofit http://a6retrofit.tripod.com/articles/homelink.html Voice control retrofit a6retrofit.tripod.com/articles/a4a5a6voicecontrol.html Add oil dipstick a6retrofit.tripod.com/articles/a4a5oildipstick.html

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		A5_OC > Audi A5 & Audi S5 Forums > A5 & S5 Topics
Second S5; Control Arms Replaced & Vibration Is Back!!

24th September 2009, 05:42 PM	#2
Meteor Ghost Senior Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Florida Posts: 428	I just had my control arms replaced by the dealer today and the vibration is finally gone, and I'm happy! However I was afraid this was possibly in my future. I've read that some owners have had the vibration come back. Has the dealer road force balanced your tires and put the lowest values towards the driver and so forth? If the vibration is still apparent I would have them replace the tires but I'm just proactively thinking as to what will be my next step if the vibration comes back on my car.

25th September 2009, 12:27 PM	#5
specialk2980 Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Boston, MA Posts: 18	I just got my car back last week. With new control arms the vibration was still present, so the dealer swapped out all 4 tires which they claim solved the problem. After a week of driving, I am starting to notice a small vibration again. I noticed it around 70mph where as before it was 60-65. I am going to keep monitoring for another week or two and then bring it in again if persists. (I have an 2009 A5)

26th September 2009, 01:41 PM	#6
dlr218 Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 24	Thank you for the replies... A little more observation... Before the control arm replacement, when turning the steering wheel at slow speeds in a parking lot, i would notice some feedback, reverberation or vibration, in the steering wheel. Once the install was done, this was all but gone... I now have noticed this is back again. I used to attribute it to the "ALL-WHEEL" drive system, but now i have to wonder... Figured i would add that tid-bit as well... Anyone else experience this?? Thanks!