Hi All,

I had posted this question a few weeks ago but did not receive any replies.

Has anyone had a free play issue in their steering wheel?

My 2002 TT Quattro Roadster is a 6 speed with 65,000 miles on it.

Audi Service in Orlando, FL says everything is fine, but it just doesn't feel right to me.

Hey Rich,

I don't notice any kind of "free play" on my 01QR with 68k, but

Do you notice it more on the highway? I think the steering response on our cars can be greatly improved, as well as other parts of the suspension, and is certainly more noticeable at speed. I would say look into upgraded bushings, search google for something known as "Defcons." These are suspension bushing that will tighten up your turn-in considerably, and will also decrease some of that understeer (i think understeer is the tts greatest/dangerous flaw)... They will however make the ride a tiny bit harder... hope this is helpful (i known its a bit 'stream-of-conciousness'). let me know if i can clear anything up for you.

Jack

Hi Jack!

Thanks for the reply!  First, excuse my ignorance, but is "QR" Quattro?

Anyway, I seem to notice it anywhere, not just highway.  I've had the car for almost 3 years and 40k miles. One of the many things I've loved about the car has been its "spot on" handling. It just was a pleasure to drive...on rails around curves and can just zip in and out of lanes if needed. This "free play" I describe may be the "understeering" you refer to? It seems I notice a lot more torque steer now as well.  As I said, the Audi tech thought I was nuts, but man, I know the car, and it just ain't right!  I'll drive at 70 on the highway, and I can move the wheel left and right an inch or so and nothing happens.  I compensate for it when driving, but one makes slight adjustments when hitting bumps, uneven pavement, etc. and it's disconcerting when those slight adjustments don't work.  Then you have to guess how much further to turn the wheel to get the correction to work. I found what I thought was a good German mechanic who did my timing belt significantly cheaper than Audi.  He said I had a bad passenger side inner CV joint.  Changing that set me back almost $500, and the issue was the same.  I wish I knew a good front end man to take it to here in Orlando.  Any more thoughts?

Thanks again

Rich

Hey Rich,

Yeah, Q is for the Quattro and R is for Roadster.


Hmmmm, a CV joint could have been it, but like you said it remains.


It doesn't sound like understeer, understeer is when you push the car hard into a corner, the front slides and tracks out on a wider radius than the intended turn. Bushing and a thicker rear anti-sway bar will really help the car stay in the turn better. But it doesn't sound like understeer is what's going on here...

I think it may be bushings on your control arm, possibly. Its also something I notice as a car ages, the bushings aren't as tight and with the power steering, the wheel can feel a bit sloppy, slow to respond, at speed.

Here is a site and a description of the DEFCON control arm bushings, its a good read and a good product, but does require a shop to install.

http://www.streetwerke.com/xcart/product.php?productid=471&cat=0&page=1

You could even replace them with new OEM ones, which you should be able to order from ecstuning.com



I have limited knowledge in the steering department, but I hope this may be able to give you some ideas to ask your mechanic. Let me know what you think/find out. Best Luck!

Jack

Previously Rich Johnson wrote:

""""notice a lot more torque steer now as well. "'

check for even tire pessure right to left both front and rear.  If ok then measure circumfrence of tires left to rite. More than about 1/2" difference is bad. If ok then check alignment settings. Check for adverse wear on tread.    Car ever been hit or subframe moved? Car lowered?

"""and I can move the wheel left and right an inch or so and nothing happens.  I compensate for it when driving, but one makes slight adjustments when hitting bumps, uneven pavement, etc. and it's disconcerting when those slight adjustments don't work.  """"""

engine on, car on the ground, turn wheel back and forth 2" each way....2nd person observe tire movement and should be linear as you turn the wheel l/r. No movement you have a bad tie rod end , use a mirror and a light under the car to see rack movement or a bad tie rod. Best case is get the car on the lift (rack) and check the tie rod ends and rack movement (bushings).

If the above is not understood you might find a shop that is TT conversant in your area and that can deal with alignment and suspension  issues.

Good luck.........