Vibration Issues

[loc]

Second S5; Control Arms Replaced & Vibration Is Back!!
http://www.a5oc.com/forums/showthrea...919/index.html

Those that had their lower control arms replaced for vibration.
http://www.a5oc.com/forums/showthrea...760/index.html

[loc]

Vibration Issues Revisitied, Updated and Confirmed by AOA
http://forums.audiworld.com/showthread.php?t=2761846

[denakno]

Thanks for sharing the info loc Helps out a lot.

[Meteor Ghost]

MY 2//09 build S5 is now vibration free and with 2 new tires. I'm happy unless it comes back!

[dlr218]

A little more observation with regards to vibration issue and control arm replacement... 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 as well. 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... I heard some ramblings that others are experiencing this and that it is an issue with a hose and a TSB is too be issued, however, I have to think it is related to the current vibration issue...

Thanks!

[loc]

dlr218:

Yes, that slow-speed vibration is mentioned here and indeed a power steering hose or something is being looked into by Audi factory engineers - apparently it is considered a separate issue from the high-speed vibration though:

Vibration Issues Revisitied, Updated and Confirmed by AOA
http://forums.audiworld.com/showthread.php?t=2761846

[maxpowers]

I just went in for service and mentioned the steering wheel shimmy at 100KM/H. The dealer was aware of the issue and mentioned control arm replacement. They said first step is to road force balance the wheels (which they did and found the front two needed work). They charged me for it since warranty only covers this for the first year (at least here in Canada). I guess I will see what happens. They also rotated the tires which throws another variable into the equation.

[Meteor Ghost]

Originally Posted by maxpowers

I just went in for service and mentioned the steering wheel shimmy at 100KM/H. The dealer was aware of the issue and mentioned control arm replacement. They said first step is to road force balance the wheels (which they did and found the front two needed work). They charged me for it since warranty only covers this for the first year (at least here in Canada). I guess I will see what happens. They also rotated the tires which throws another variable into the equation.

I would get your freaking money back! There's no way they can charge you for this. This is a KNOWN PROBLEM and road force balancing it THEIR attempt to try and band-aid fix the problem.

Also, why would they charge you for something that didn't even fix the problem.

[marsh]

Originally Posted by maxpowers

I just went in for service and mentioned the steering wheel shimmy at 100KM/H. The dealer was aware of the issue and mentioned control arm replacement. They said first step is to road force balance the wheels (which they did and found the front two needed work). They charged me for it since warranty only covers this for the first year (at least here in Canada). I guess I will see what happens. They also rotated the tires which throws another variable into the equation.

I'm from Toronto as well, what dealer did you go to?

[maxpowers]

I thought it was unfair that they charged me but if it fixes the problem, then I'm ok with it (since the wheels were out of balance). If the probelm persists then I am going to ask for re-imbursement as they said the next step is covered under warranty (i.e. control arm replacement).

I went to Queensway Audi.

I was in a bit of a good mood since they told me I have Audi Care and the second service was free. I didn't even know I had this nor did I pay for it...

[Heyrenzo]

Originally Posted by maxpowers

I thought it was unfair that they charged me but if it fixes the problem, then I'm ok with it (since the wheels were out of balance). If the probelm persists then I am going to ask for re-imbursement as they said the next step is covered under warranty (i.e. control arm replacement).

I went to Queensway Audi.

I was in a bit of a good mood since they told me I have Audi Care and the second service was free. I didn't even know I had this nor did I pay for it...

I was also charged by my dealership for the first balancing for the same reasons you mentioned. I yapped loud enough with Audi that Audi Customer Service sent me my money back. At that time, the customer care advocate was denying the issue altogether, which insulted me considering how documented this was over the internet.

Problem still not fixed, waiting to have the time to go and demonstrate the issue to my dealership for the control arms.

[maxpowers]

Good luck man. My steering wheel shimmy is so mild and inconsistent I would hate to potentialy make it any worse by pursuing new control arms. I'm not sure if that has actualy solved the problem yet. How bad is your problem?

Originally Posted by Heyrenzo

I was also charged by my dealership for the first balancing for the same reasons you mentioned. I yapped loud enough with Audi that Audi Customer Service sent me my money back. At that time, the customer care advocate was denying the issue altogether, which insulted me considering how documented this was over the internet.

Problem still not fixed, waiting to have the time to go and demonstrate the issue to my dealership for the control arms.

[Heyrenzo]

Originally Posted by maxpowers

Good luck man. My steering wheel shimmy is so mild and inconsistent I would hate to potentialy make it any worse by pursuing new control arms. I'm not sure if that has actualy solved the problem yet. How bad is your problem?

Not that bad after 3 times rebalancing the wheels, but still apparent. It reoccur very inconsistently and under varying circumstances. I tried to pinpoint it to temperature, road texture, driving time, but I can't find the prevailing factors! It just happens sometimes, and sometimes not.

It's doing it enough to annoy me, enough for me to see the steering wheel shaking and enough for me to sometimes feel it in the car when driving the highway.

As for the control arms, every second day someone posts here or on A5OC.com that "this IS THE FIX", that the vibration is gone and steering control feels better and tighter. So yeah, after reading over 15 users claiming that the updated control arms solved it for them, I'm starting to think that it's the permanent (or best-yet) solution.

I'll bring it back to the dealership soon. I'll tell you... my service advisor was not very keen to listening to the tons of information I digged out of the internet, but when I provided him with a part number of the kit designed by Audi especially to fix the issue - his attitude changed and he started to recognize I might be right.

I think I'm on the good way to get rid of the vibration on my A5

[maxpowers]

^^^

Here is my approach.....next time the steering wheel shakes (if it does again), I'm going to video it with my blackberry and hold up the newspaper for a time stamp.

Disclaimer - I won't do this while driving in heavy traffic on the freeway...

[AudiA5Fan]

I have a 2010 A5 which has the vibration issue. Even after replacing the lower control arms I am still experiencing steering wheel shimmy or vibrations or shaking at highway speeds, around 70-80 mph. When I Lower the speed significantly < 55, it goes away - higher the speed significantly >80, it also goes way. Also the vibration is not only on the steering wheel it is in the whole cabin.

At this time they don't have a solution for it since the new lower control arms and the bushings they put on my car were the new ones they are manufacturing.

[1000songs]

Originally Posted by maxpowers

I thought it was unfair that they charged me but if it fixes the problem, then I'm ok with it (since the wheels were out of balance). If the probelm persists then I am going to ask for re-imbursement as they said the next step is covered under warranty (i.e. control arm replacement).

I went to Queensway Audi.

I was in a bit of a good mood since they told me I have Audi Care and the second service was free. I didn't even know I had this nor did I pay for it...

What? Guys - there is a TSB out on this issue. Pfaff has road force balanced my S5 every time I swap out wheels for winter, change tires (i've had two cut tires) etc. I have NEVER BEEN CHARGED.

[loc]

Some notable quotes and a link to S5 vibration thread:

Well Audi Europe does not recognize the control arm replacement as a valid fix for the problem. They claim it's specific to US Spec cars. I think its bullshit, they are just afraid to admit that there in fact is a design flaw of the suspension. Anyway, the dealer in Sweden has been really friendly and helpful so far and has tried to order the new control arms. Unfortunately, it appears to take some time.

Regarding the spacers: I have tried 4 different sets: 2 sets of 10 mm's, 1 set of 12 mm's and one set of 20 mm DRA spacers. All have exactly the same center diameter which is not a snug fit to neither the rim nor the hub. Vibrations have been similar regardless of which spacer to use. Without spacers: no vibration.. H&R, of course, say that their spacers are flawless and blaim production variation on my car's hubs and rims. They say their spacers are on spec and that my car is not.. Makes me laugh. I will never go close to H&R products ever again.

I need to find a spacer that fits better! Are there any other brands that are better?

(sorry to hijack this thread! now back on topic *slaps myself*)

Keep Pressing the Dealer

Audi goes through a process of elimination starting with the tires/wheels (mine road force balanced @ 5x by dealer) and spacers (if you have them, they'll test the car spacers on spacers off) to eliminate those as a cause. Once that was done, all by a "special" traveling Audi tech, new control arms were ordered and installed.

Audi would never admit it, but I believe that they intentionally "slow roll" the customer to see how bad you really want this...let's face it, this not a safety issue and it's costing them money...all about the $$$ in any business. Bottom line...keep pressing them, ask to see the service manager next.

S5 Vibration and Control Arm Replacement
http://www.a5oc.com/forums/showthrea...37/index2.html


Summary:

Tyre and vibration issues in Audi A4 B8/A5 (tips may benefit other models as well)
http://a6retrofit.tripod.com/article...vibration.html

[LittleDevil]

Did any other member here try to change control arms, is problem solved or is it still there?

[denakno]

I changed the control arms. The problem went away, but in reality it's still there. The control arm fix only masks the problem, it doesn't solve it. My next step in the progress is to test it with spacers. Hopefully the new control arms will mask the vibrations with spacers on, but I doubt it.

[chuck]

My car stopped vibrating pretty much due to it being hit twice on separate occasions by two morons. My fix is get in two wrecks.

C.

[skrwdrvr]

I had a vibration problem in my front driver side wheel at speeds over 60km/h. After only 2 months worth of driving. Took it to Audi and turns out I needed a wheel bearing replacement. Good thing its all covered under warranty, because when i saw their work order, it costs about $800.00!!!!

[han711]

if my car is lowered will it still be covered under warranty to replace the lower control arms??

[denakno]

Originally Posted by han711

if my car is lowered will it still be covered under warranty to replace the lower control arms??

Mine was... Think it's pretty much up to the dealer and the relationship you have with them.

[1000songs]

Well, I'm over 2 years in (car picked up February 2008) and just had my control arms replaced. How did that happen after 2 years? Glad you asked...

I've had the Road Force Balancing a number of times - when car was new, every time I've switched out wheels or tires (fall, spring, 2 x replacing a cut tire, etc.). The RFB has been effective enough that I haven't pushed for the replacement of the control arms, although I have inquired about it. Given that I tend to cruise at a higher speed than where most people have an issue, I've just never been too concerned.

This spring I had my new tires put on my summer rims AND had my spacers installed (which are usually only on my winter rims due to offset issues). Long story short - the vibration problem was awful. Worse than ever.

I told the dealer that since we changed so many things (again, spacers and 4 new tires) I wasn't surprised that we had a vibration problem, but that I wasn't impressed that the car was released back to me without anyone noticing. This time I asked specifically why they didn't simply replace the control arms.

The service manager (and this is a good service manager who is knowledgeable, personable and trustworthy) told me that my car wasn't eligible. That said, they would check everything again, Road Force Balance, check the new tires, etc. The next day I got a call that went something like this:

Dealer: You can keep that loaner for a while longer; we're replacing your control arms.

Me: Really?! What changed?

Dealer: The build sheet on your car says your car has the "new" control arms, so we always assumed it wasn't eligible for the replacement. However, when we had it on the hoist we discovered that you actually have the "old" control arms with the different bushings.

Me: Interesting. What's the time frame?

Dealer: We should have them tomorrow.

Me: Really?! I thought they took a long time to source?

Dealer: Not anymore. They are in stock everywhere. I'll call you when it's done.

So ... 2+ years with a minor vibration issue. Now I have new control arms. Less than half my lease left. Sort of a good news / bad news. I'll take it as good news and see how she feels.

Out.

[LittleDevil]

Thanks for that post. Can you ask your dealer if he can tell you part number of new control arms?

I found something new in etka: wishbone - hydro mounting

[denakno]

Originally Posted by 1000songs

This spring I had my new tires put on my summer rims AND had my spacers installed...

So if I've understood you correctly, you got spacers installed and new control arms now?

Rumors say the control arms only hides the vibration problem but doesn't solve it... I've got the new control arms installed and no longer experience the vibration problem.

But I want to try out the new control arms with spacers installed but haven't had the time yet...

1000songs, could you fill in some blanks here maybe?

[1000songs]

Can you ask your dealer if he can tell you part number of new control arms?

I am waiting for the paperwork to come back as the work order was left open. I will check the part numbers when it arrives.

So if I've understood you correctly, you got spacers installed and new control arms now?

Yes, I have spacers installed, stock 19" rims, 4 new Dunlop SportMaxx GT tires and new control arms

[maxpowers]

Good news 1000S - mind if I ask which dealer?

[denakno]

1000songs, thanks for the reply.
-

I checked with the dealer the other day, they didn't have any part numbers for me, but he told me that there are new parts for this fix. The fix is probably the same as earlier with the throw out bearing and such, but this time there are newly developed parts. He also told me that it was necessary to mount off the gearbox for the fix.

Hope it helps.

[1000songs]

Originally Posted by maxpowers

Good news 1000S - mind if I ask which dealer?

Pfaff Audi at Jane & Rutherford