archrenov8

Lately, I have noticed that when I am slowing down and need to make a quick turn, my power steering shutters or vibrates, as if it is low on fluid. But I am pretty certain that we don't have hydraulic power steering anymore, so I am not sure if what I am experiencing is normal or not.
I have close to 10,000 miles on my '11 Avant so far.

Nostromo

I don't know if this is the same phenomenon, but when I'm in a parking garage with mildly polished concrete I sometimes get 'shudders' in the steering when making hard turns. I assume it is too *much* power assist and the tires are starting to slip a little.

bimmers2

There's a TSB for A4. I did on my 09 B8 A4. Dealer replaced a 'hose" and fixed the low speed (parking lot or garage speed) shudder problem. My 10 S4 has same problem, but dealer keep saying there's no TSB.

archrenov8

Interesting. It seems to be getting more and more prevalent.

MCRN

interesting indeed. I remember reading that there was a TSB for this issue in early build cars, but my 5/11 production 2011 model has his issue when steering at low speeds.

gat821

2012 model here and I do have the occasional low speed shudder as well. Thought they had figured this out already...

archrenov8

So I am definitely not alone. I am not familiar with the mechanics of electric power steering. I am wondering- is there still any fluid involved? Is it that an electric motor is pressurizing fluid, rather than an engine-driven belt?

Nostromo

It's still hydraulic, but there's a electric component that dictates how much hydraulic assist to apply based on speed. Not sure how it gets pressurized though.

So my question is: when I feel shudder is it the tires slipping? Or something happening in the hydraulics? Luckily it's still an all mechanical system so a failure of the servotronic wouldn't leave you high and dry.

alk

I've also been noticing this. I've been trying to think back to when I first became aware of the shudder, and it seems to me that it gradually grew in my consciousness. There was no "whoa, what was that?!" moment. Was it always there and I just didn't notice at first? Hmm.

Is this a problem that degrades or otherwise gets worse over time?

For those who had service under the TSB, what was the remedy?

Peace,
Drew

dpcompt

My '09 s-line tip has always had the low speed shudder. It only happens in parking lot situations when I turn the wheel at idle. After 2 and 1/2 years, the shudder has remained the same and "such is life".