Audi A4 Avant 2003 - Car wondering slightly when on motorway.

Honest John Back Room » Technical matters
View Threaded
Mon 1 Aug 2011 22:10
Audi A4 Avant 2003 - Car wondering slightly when on motorway. - Ashley1

I have just recently bought an audi a4 2003.

The car drives really well but on motorways it does tend to wonder a bit (not necessary due to the camber of the road). I cannot afford any expensive repair bills but think this could be due to a worn control arm / tie rod end. Does anyone know how much a job like this could cost or a good place to take it for repairs.

Another thing that i notice is that when i change gear whilst driving, i can find any gear easily except sometimes that 2nd gear is not as smooth to slip into. Does this mean that the gearbox could be damaged?

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Tue 2 Aug 2011 00:41
Audi A4 Avant 2003 - Car wondering slightly when on motorway. - Roly93

I had one of these, and to be honest they were never great at directional stability on some motorways. Its hard to tell how bad you are talking about, but a change of front tyres may cure it if you dont hear any clunks and bumps when driving over rough ground.

In terms of the slight second gear crunch, both my B6 and B7 A4's did this from new so I wouldn't worry as long as the gearbox isnt noisy.

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Tue 2 Aug 2011 00:45
Audi A4 Avant 2003 - Car wondering slightly when on motorway. - Peter.N.

I was also going to say tyres, uneven wear can cause this but first make sure that the pressures are correct.

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Tue 2 Aug 2011 23:38
Audi A4 Avant 2003 - Car wondering slightly when on motorway. - Railroad.

You specifically mention motorways. Lorries continuously pounding up and down leave trenches worn in the road. Getting caught in these can sometimes be enough to make any car's steering wander. They can be an inch deep in places.....

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Wed 3 Aug 2011 00:14
Audi A4 Avant 2003 - Car wondering slightly when on motorway. - Roly93

Agretheed, so if you dont hear any thumps and knocks coming from the front suspension all should be okay. These are quite robust cars actually.

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Thu 4 Aug 2011 23:37
Audi A4 Avant 2003 - Car wondering slightly when on motorway. - Ashley1

There are no bumps or clunks coming from the front suspention so i suspect all is well there then.

The car needs new tyres though, so i think that would cure the problem as well as a wheel alignment. Thanks for all the advice.

Ash

Reply | Report as offensive | Link

Looking for a garage you can trust? Honest John's Good Garage Guide has thousands of reader recommended garages, plus how-to guides and tips on servicing.

The Good Garage Guide

It's FREE to list your classic car on Honest John Classics and promote it to thousands of classic car buyers, owners and enthusiasts on what is one the UK's biggest classic car sites.

Sell Your Classic Car For FREE