Fighting the pavement with the RS4 (and S4)
01-09-2007, 08:00 PM
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Fighting the pavement with the RS4 (and S4)
I noticed that on really poor roads, such that have bends, bumps, weird traversals, pocks, etc., that at any reasonable speeds north of 25mph, the RS4 will sometimes just start to veer off in a direction you clearly aren't steering it in.
This seems to my laymen's mind to be that the Quattro is so adhesive that the front tires start to take stick to a part of the road that is incorrect, causing the steering wheel to suggest a different direction.
I frequently have to take hold of it with a stern grip in both hands and fight my way through a rough patch of road.
I noticed that on the RWD cars I've tested that this is much less the case.
And for the record I've noticed this on 3 RS4s that I've had the pleasure of driving, and to a similar extent, my former 2005.5 S4.
I can't say I've ever noticed it in any of the 2.0T A4 B7 models that I've driven as loaners, nor the 2006 A6 either.
Thoughts?
This seems to my laymen's mind to be that the Quattro is so adhesive that the front tires start to take stick to a part of the road that is incorrect, causing the steering wheel to suggest a different direction.
I frequently have to take hold of it with a stern grip in both hands and fight my way through a rough patch of road.
I noticed that on the RWD cars I've tested that this is much less the case.
And for the record I've noticed this on 3 RS4s that I've had the pleasure of driving, and to a similar extent, my former 2005.5 S4.
I can't say I've ever noticed it in any of the 2.0T A4 B7 models that I've driven as loaners, nor the 2006 A6 either.
Thoughts?
01-09-2007, 08:37 PM
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but torque steer can happen on a perfect road no?
because the rs4 never does this on decent to good roads, only on the crappy ones. i thought perhaps wrongly that torque steer can happen on even great roads and usually only with front drive cars?
01-09-2007, 08:44 PM
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Tramlining, caused by a combination of things...
alignment, tires, suspension geometry, etc. It can be a normal behavior with a more aggressive alignment (toe out), wider tires, lowered suspension, etc.
Do remember that the A4, S4 and RS4 share the exact same suspension components (minus DRC) but each has a different wheel and tire package standard. If you popped some 225's with a more compliant sidewall on the RS4 it would likely have similar tramlining characteristics of an A4.
Cheers,
Do remember that the A4, S4 and RS4 share the exact same suspension components (minus DRC) but each has a different wheel and tire package standard. If you popped some 225's with a more compliant sidewall on the RS4 it would likely have similar tramlining characteristics of an A4.
Cheers,
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01-09-2007, 08:51 PM
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Here's a great article...
<ul><li><a href="http://www.tirerack.com/a.jsp?a=AR4&url=%2Ftires%2Ftiretech%2Ftechpage.jsp %3Ftechid%3D47">http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tiretech/techpage.jsp?techid=47</a></li></ul>
01-10-2007, 04:36 AM
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Re: Yes...
When you say FWD, you mean Front? I guess because there is up to 40% up front that counts, but I just didn't think Audis, at least the RS4 or S4 have torque steer. I just think this is something different because it never happens but on the worst roads and even now that I think about it, it happens when I am not even on the throttle.