Vibration on B5 A4 Avant

[Grant Lenahan]

Let’s start with B5 and C5 series cars are extraordinarily susceptible to vibrations, both from out of round wheels, tires and balance.

I have found that many shops are incapable of balancing right - sometimes its the equipment, sometimes the grey matter.

First, you put on 4 new tires. Ar ether round?  Really round?  Maybe not.

Next, you have to balance them.  Its dicey at some shops.

I always begin with a visual look at each spinning wheel / tire looking for either radial or lateral runout.

Next its on to balance. For example, if a machine is not bolted tightly to the floor, and level, you are basically out of luck.

Grant
On Jan 21, 2014, at 9:37 AM, Werner Raschdorf <wraschdorf at gmail.com> wrote:

> Hi Everyone,
> 
> I recently had 4 new tires mounted and balanced on my 2000 A4 Avant. 2.8
> V6. Also had a 4 wheel alignment done at the same time. After taking it on
> the road, I notice a vibration that starts around 55mph and gets worse
> until approx. 80mph. Then after 80 mph it dampens out again. I feel the
> vibration in the steering wheel and the frame of the car.
> I took the car back to the guy that did the work and he found that some of
> the weights on one of the front wheels had fallen off. He did the balancing
> again on all 4 wheels. It got better but still did not go away. I also had
> him check the wheel bearings and control arms and he says they are fine.
> The car is stock except that 3 years ago I mounted 17" rims and tires on it
> from a 2007 S line A4. When I mounted them I did have to install H+R wheel
> spacers to fit the larger wheel. The shocks are original as are the control
> arms and wheel bearings. Outer Tie rod ends have been replaced 2 times
> before. The car has 98,500 miles on it. The shocks seem stiff when pushed.
> I'm not sure the guy I went to was the sharpest pencil in the box since he
> can't seem to diagnose the problem. Any suggestions on where to start
> looking for my problem?
> Also, does anyone have a recommendation for a reputable Audi suspension
> shop in the Boca Raton, Fl. area?
> 
> Thanks
> 
> Werner
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