Tramlining feel & odd full turn slip, HELP!

[Sponge]

I've been suffering the exact same symptoms for the last few 000 miles/several months. I've put it down to worn tyres. Seriously not impressed with how the Good Year Asymmetrics have worn so quickly and effected the driving so badly as they've done so. Hopefully the Toyos I've got at the moment will behave better.

I replaced the rears last month and will probably replace the fronts this week as it's getting worse and it's not helped by the fact Liverpool has finally got snow! In fact, I might do it today.

Edited December 18, 2010 by Sponge

[AZURES3]

Wow 4 years ago !

[robpink]

Hi AZ, had the same problem on my 3.0TDIq with 235/40/18 P-Zeros when below 3mm. Used Michelin PS2s since & eliminated the problem. Got Dunlop Sportmaxx 19s on the S4 but still plenty of tread at the mo' so no probs so far. IIRC the slip/bump feel I used to get on full-lock was a power steering pump related issue

[spikeyboy]

Ive had the exact samer issue - for the last few months, also streering feeling heavier when turning. put the car in for full alignment check, it was slightly out, but also found my main suspention bushes had split and needed replacing - £330 later if feels better, but still tramlines a bit, also down to 3 mm tread on fronts and newish on rear.

Looks like this could be down to low tread on the front tyres as all of us seem to have around 3mm tread.

Was going to go with the Goodyear asymmetrics (as on the rears) used to have GSD3's which found to be a good tyre, however interstead that the wear on the asymetrics is not good, other suggestions for tyre ?

As for skipping on full lock, mine has always done that when the ground is wet/slippery - think its just a trait of the S4

[benjie]

I think the full lock skipping thing is a quattro issue - especially in the wet. Mine has started doing this a lot in the past few months. It seems like the slower you go, the more it jumps, but speed up a but and it seems to grip better(!)

[tam tamster]

I'd agree with that benjie. I have my car back from AM Cars in Ilminster after full alignment. I mentioned this slippage thing to them before it went in and they said they'd have a look. I mentioned that I'd read about tyres, steering pump and alignment and obviously one of those was getting done. Have to say the car feels so much smoother now the alignment is sorted. Apparently it was out quite a bit, as was the tracking. It doesn't seem to tramline as bad now.

Anyway, I have 6mm of tread on all tyres so I don't think that low tread is the issue. However, I go along with "the slower you go the more it jumps". I'm pretty sure that from memory I have had this on another 4wd car I had (can't remember which one) but then I may have had the same issue with that (if indeed it is an issue) or it may have had the same feature if it's a trait of the car. I'd have hoped that AM would have told me if bushes were going or anything. The car was serviced (by previous owner) in November and I even spoke to the dealer who did it but they didn't mention anything. Also MOT was no problem (again via previous owner).

I'm at a bit of a loss at the moment as to what it might be. I wish it didn't do it as it just annoys me, although I can live with it if there's nothing actually wrong!