Hi People,

I have a 1997 Audi Quattro A4 standard 2.8L. Last year I put Hankook IceBreaker tires on, and I found that even in light snow, the car seems to sway when driving.

I spoke to my mechanic about it, he test drove the car, said it was fine ...

Okay, so this winter, same problem. Even at 60km in light snow, I feel the car is unstable.

Any thoughts on this?


Thanks so much,

Jim

 

More explanation of the problem is required.....how do you mean "swaying". Could be an alignment issue...I know this is a dumb question but this you purchase the same size of tires? Are they wider, skinnier etc.? Have they been balanced?

 

I just had the tires put on, this is the second year I have had them, and they were balanced. Yes they are the same size of tires. It's a feeling as though the backend or the viscus drive is always trying to straighten out the car?

I'm not technical with cars, but ithe steering wheel feels like it moves from left to right as if the backend is swaying.

Jim

 

Well I found the first winter with mine was a little harder to control in snow then i would have thought. Once i Lowered the car, it was alot more responsive when steering. Not to mention you could actually kick it out when you wanted instead of plowing towards the curb.

 

How do you lower the car?

 

Has your car ever been in an accident in the rear end? My parents got hit drivers side back end just infront of the tire ,fixed and everything now but during winter only at higher speeds on the highway the cars back end would sway out and it was because the car would hit a bump and bounce up a little and that would cause it to lose enough traction to sway. so lowering it or changing the shocks or whatever back there might help it. I know it did for there car they had it all changed and it does not sway anymore during the winter months and it was unnoticable during summer.

 

No the car hasn't been rear ended to my knowledge. What happens is the steering wheel feels like its drifting from left to right and right to left. I feel as though I have to keep adjusting to keep the car pointing in a straight direction.

It would be similar to having worn joints on the steering where there is lots of steering wheel play; that's the best I can say. I have the car very well maintained so that's a bonus.

I would like to have some explanation for this issue.

Jim

 

Could be tie rod ends worn out, Jack the car up and try to wiggle the wheel back and forth as if your steering and see if there is any play. also check for play in balljoints while your there. If no play then I'd put money on it just being an alignment issue.

Also, you need lowering springs to lower the car.

 

My car does exactly the same thing, it feels like the back of the car wants to be forward, im going to go get it aligned . I know its not my tie rod ends cuz i just changed them, but that might be your problem. If your steering feels a bit numb, its a good sign that your tie rod ends are done.

 

i feel like i get that all the time. but it's because i live in the stix, and the winds mixed with the slippery conditions make the car actually sway around in the lane. Might be that you're getting the same thing. if the car stays good and firm in the summer, is it really something to worry about? (mechanically, i mean)