My 98 2.8 Avant recently developed a problem that seems to be worsening.

The steering has a shake in it, and up till recently it was only noticable in the wheel, not to passengers in the car. The problem makes no noise, and seems to disapear when turning to the right. The shaking is getting worse in the wheel and to the point now where the whole car shakes even at low speeds. WTF

I checked Air Pressure
I tightened all the lugs to make sure


I had a third party drive the car and they described it as an almost side to side pulling, although I don't feel this is accurate.

According to audi they said all the recalls have been done on this car with-in the past 10,000 miles.

Next suggestions?

 

Tire balance problem most likley

Could be a bent rim (i see a lot of that)

Bad tire possibly

 

I'll be the first to admit that I suck at European suspensions but on all my old muscle cars a worn tie rod end would make the car do just what you're describing.

 

Could definitely be a TRE. Those are what connect the steering rack to the suspension, so definitely check those out. They're cheap.

 

It was the passenger side front tire.

Turns out from alot of driving in NYC with it, I have snapped a steal belt in the tire, the inner and outter belts seperated and the inner one snapped. Causing the tire when on a lift to look like this

\----:____:/

Causing the wheel to push right, but the car wanting to go strait.

Luckly the tread ware was good enough on the rear two that I only had to replace the front to. Car is like new again :-D

Still $250 but still better than $x,xxx

 

word.