Wrecked my buddies S4...kind of long
01-01-2005, 07:15 PM
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Wrecked my buddies S4...kind of long
Yes lots of snow in colorado and I slammed my buddies S4 into a curb going around 15-20 mph. I own an A4, so I thought I'd fix it myself. From the looks of things, it seemed like the two lower control arms, on the front drivers side wheel, were the only things bent. I replaced those, and I also replaced the wheel bearing to be safe. The CV boot was trashed, not from the wreck, so I replaced that to. Thankfully it aligned, but there are more problems that I can't seem to figure out why. First, after we drive his car it smells like burning rubber. Second, the car no longer has any self-aligning torque, meaning if you let go of the steering wheel, it just stays were you left it. But it still steers like new. Thirdly, it makes a grinding noise when the wheel is cranked all the way. Can you help me figure out these three problems?? Thank you S4 peeps.
01-01-2005, 07:33 PM
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Could it be the rack???
even though it steers fine, I thought that self aligning torque was a function of camber and king pin angle?? not sure...i hope it's not the rack
01-01-2005, 08:13 PM
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If you smell burning rubber, start there.
It can't be that hard to find the source...start with the inside of the tires/sidewalls. Odds are you'll find something else was bent that you haven't yet replaced. Don't worry about why the alignment is dead on...you know that there is still a problem...worry about tracking down that problem. The rest of the answers will come in due time.
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01-01-2005, 09:01 PM
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um steering knuckle anyone?
they are meant to sheer or bend.
even after a light tap my left one was bent.
I've seen several of them sheer in half because of a curb or considerable impact like yours.
even after a light tap my left one was bent.
I've seen several of them sheer in half because of a curb or considerable impact like yours.
01-01-2005, 10:37 PM
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Just because it aligned doesn't mean that the frame is straight
That could be part of the self-centering problem with the steering. I'd also double check the rack as well.
As far as the burning rubber smell... well, you better start looking at LOTS of stuff. Look at the accessory belts to see if any of those are slipping. Maybe the impact misaligned an accessory drive. Double check all rubber bits on the engine. Hopefully the motor didn't shift and cause some rubber to hot surface contact.
Bob
As far as the burning rubber smell... well, you better start looking at LOTS of stuff. Look at the accessory belts to see if any of those are slipping. Maybe the impact misaligned an accessory drive. Double check all rubber bits on the engine. Hopefully the motor didn't shift and cause some rubber to hot surface contact.
Bob
01-02-2005, 03:45 AM
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sounds like the rack
My Subaru had the same problem... if you turned the wheel off center and let go, the car would drive in an endless circle. I replaced the rack and the problem went away.