URGENT! Wobbly front end, '93 80 TDI

lewiswilkinson · 19-08-11, 02:24 PM

Noticed massively uneven wear on the passenger side front tyre, and it feels a little unstable when cornering right.

Also in the wet the car seems to follow the ruts etc of the road, dragged by the passenger side front, which seems to have a lot of movement.

Also if a drain cover, or the like, is driven over by the front passenger side when wet the car lurches and slides out.

When stationary it is possible to move the wheel maybe half an inch back/forth in the wheel arch, and hold each side of the tyre wobble it left to right.

I assume its some bushes somewhere, but any ideas which ones? Im supopsed to be driving 1000 miles to the south of germany in two weeks!

Thanks

<3

ian20v · 19-08-11, 02:52 PM

Check your wheel nuts are all tight,maybe take wheel off and check all your suspension nuts are tight too i had similar event with my 90 turns out a few had worked them selves loose.

You will be able to feel the play if its worn bushes.

lewiswilkinson · 19-08-11, 02:54 PM

OK cool will do, sounds so simple but I suppose it could be that!

Would be lovely if it was but i fear it will be something more£££ hungry

ian20v · 19-08-11, 02:57 PM

Uneven tyre wear is usually tracking,or track rod ends are goosed

lewiswilkinson · 19-08-11, 03:20 PM

True, but its the amount the wheel can move around in the arch, and how much it lurches around in the wet when the weight is over that front side, and how much that one wheel wants to follow the ruts in the road. Its not a simple issue of tracking, it appears there must some bushes or something that are failing and was wondering if anyone else had experienced anything similar.

edit - Just seen your edit RE track rod ends, another thing that did cross my mind

NBirkitt · 19-08-11, 03:21 PM

Strut top mounts or badly worn wheel bearing or bottom ball joint – god knows, but you shouldn't be driving it like that... clearly needs some professional attention

lewiswilkinson · 19-08-11, 03:27 PM

I would have thought wheel bearing would have groaned/moaned, but maybe not.

Not driving it right now... I'm using my alfa 155 but just need to get this sorted......

19-08-11, 02:52 PM	#2
ian20v 4 ring whore! Classic Audi Club Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Sticksville,dumfries and galloway Posts: 4,241	Check your wheel nuts are all tight,maybe take wheel off and check all your suspension nuts are tight too i had similar event with my 90 turns out a few had worked them selves loose.You will be able to feel the play if its worn bushes.

19-08-11, 03:21 PM	#6
NBirkitt Grown up member Classic Audi Club Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 126	Wobbly wheel? Strut top mounts or badly worn wheel bearing or bottom ball joint – god knows, but you shouldn't be driving it like that... clearly needs some professional attention

19-08-11, 02:54 PM	#3
lewiswilkinson Grown up member Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 59	OK cool will do, sounds so simple but I suppose it could be that! Would be lovely if it was but i fear it will be something more£££ hungry

19-08-11, 02:57 PM	#4
ian20v 4 ring whore! Classic Audi Club Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Sticksville,dumfries and galloway Posts: 4,241	Uneven tyre wear is usually tracking,or track rod ends are goosed

19-08-11, 03:20 PM	#5
lewiswilkinson Grown up member Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 59	True, but its the amount the wheel can move around in the arch, and how much it lurches around in the wet when the weight is over that front side, and how much that one wheel wants to follow the ruts in the road. Its not a simple issue of tracking, it appears there must some bushes or something that are failing and was wondering if anyone else had experienced anything similar. edit - Just seen your edit RE track rod ends, another thing that did cross my mind

19-08-11, 03:27 PM	#7
lewiswilkinson Grown up member Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 59	I would have thought wheel bearing would have groaned/moaned, but maybe not. Not driving it right now... I'm using my alfa 155 but just need to get this sorted......