Please help!
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Joined: Apr 2000
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Please help!
When I got my 99 Audi A4, the steering wheels was off to the left, so when I was driving on the high way from 60MPH to 80MPH, I can feel some vibration from the car, I ask dealer to do an Alignment for the car, but they always blame that the tire is not balance, but after they do the balancing, it is feel the same thing. And i went in again, they Blame for bad tires. This car is just only had 12000 miles on it.
How can i make them to do an Alignment?
It seems that they just don't want to do an alignment for the car!
How can i make them to do an Alignment?
It seems that they just don't want to do an alignment for the car!
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Joined: Mar 2000
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Here's some info (long):
Usually a vibration is a sign that the wheels need to be balanced. Usually if the car pulls left or right, the car needs an alignment. A steering wheel that's off center can be a sign that you need an alignment OR that the car was aligned, but the mechanic did not properly center the steering wheel before doing the work.
However, if the car has been driven with out of balance wheels or while out of alignment then the tires could be bad. If they are bad, then neither alignment or balance will fix the problem until the tires are replaced.
If you feel a vibration in the steering wheel, rotate the tires front to back. If the steering wheel is no longer vibrating then you know the problem was one of the tires (or maybe a bent wheel) that was on the front. If after a tire rotation you still have a vibration then you may have a front end problem, or maybe the previous owner already rotated the tires and now they're all bad!
I've been through this and it can be frustrating. If your dealer were more cooperative, I'd suggest that they let you borrow another set of wheels/tires just to test your car. If you're convinced it needs an alignment, offer to pay for the alignment check if the car ends up not needing one.
However, if the car has been driven with out of balance wheels or while out of alignment then the tires could be bad. If they are bad, then neither alignment or balance will fix the problem until the tires are replaced.
If you feel a vibration in the steering wheel, rotate the tires front to back. If the steering wheel is no longer vibrating then you know the problem was one of the tires (or maybe a bent wheel) that was on the front. If after a tire rotation you still have a vibration then you may have a front end problem, or maybe the previous owner already rotated the tires and now they're all bad!
I've been through this and it can be frustrating. If your dealer were more cooperative, I'd suggest that they let you borrow another set of wheels/tires just to test your car. If you're convinced it needs an alignment, offer to pay for the alignment check if the car ends up not needing one.
AudiWorld Super User
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 14,984
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From: Chicago, IL
Go to another dealership that will treat you right and value your business...
Doesn't sound like these jokers are. If the tires are indeed the problem, you would more likely feel roughness and vibration that you describe. Are these stock wheels and tires? Maybe your wheels are bent? Does the car drift to one side? But also, your steering wheel being off center usally cannot be attributed to improperly balanced wheels or bad tires... unless of course the tires are totally f*cked... could very well be that you do need an alignment. Also, do you have non-hubcentric aftermarket wheels? If so, do you have hubrings installed. That could cause a vibration too. Go to another dealership that will treat you with respect and will put forth more effort than these clowns. If you have no other service department to turn to, you can always be the "annoying customer" who won't go away 
<p><img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/AudiWorldPics/2000/larryescortsig.jpg">
<p><img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/AudiWorldPics/2000/larryescortsig.jpg">
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Thanks guys! More-
The car is brand new when I purchase them, and the tire and wheels are all factory,And the problems still exit after I had rotate the tire. Because since i have the car,I have a strong feeling that the car is not properly align, And I just don't know how to get them to align it, I guess, by offering to "Pay" is the best way!
Thank you very much!
Thank you very much!
AudiWorld Super User
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 14,984
Likes: 43
From: Chicago, IL
No no... don't offer to pay. You've payed enough for the car...
...couple of things:
1. It's under warranty (right?)
2. You're not happy
3. If it's a tire problem, then contact the tire manufacturer since tires are the only item not covered by the car's warranty.
4. Otherwise, they should do something for you to make you happy
Don't pull out your wallet to get things done... instead, go there like you're ready to tear someone's head off, but do it "nicely"<p><img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/AudiWorldPics/2000/larryescortsig.jpg">
1. It's under warranty (right?)
2. You're not happy
3. If it's a tire problem, then contact the tire manufacturer since tires are the only item not covered by the car's warranty.
4. Otherwise, they should do something for you to make you happy
Don't pull out your wallet to get things done... instead, go there like you're ready to tear someone's head off, but do it "nicely"
<p><img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/AudiWorldPics/2000/larryescortsig.jpg">
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Larry's right...but make sure you're asking for the right thing -->
If the car is under warranty then they simply need to fix the problem, whatever it is. It shouldn't be up to you to trouble shoot this.
It's common for people get into trouble with the service department when they hand over the car and ask for the procedure that THEY think will fix the problem instead of just asking that the problem be fixed. In other words if you go in and say, "I need an alignment" then that's what you'll get. It may or may not fix the problem. It's better to say "Fix the vibration". Then it's up to the dealer to solve the problem.
BUT. As I said in my previous post. If you've already rotated the tires and still have a vibration in the steering wheel, I'd be concerned about other front end problems.
It's common for people get into trouble with the service department when they hand over the car and ask for the procedure that THEY think will fix the problem instead of just asking that the problem be fixed. In other words if you go in and say, "I need an alignment" then that's what you'll get. It may or may not fix the problem. It's better to say "Fix the vibration". Then it's up to the dealer to solve the problem.
BUT. As I said in my previous post. If you've already rotated the tires and still have a vibration in the steering wheel, I'd be concerned about other front end problems.
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