How's the on-center steering feel in your car?

**OutlawDon** · 09-10-2007 09:21 AM

I got an alignment done on my 05 A4 3.0 USP over the weekend after I got it lowered just with Eibach Prokits the prior week. It was pulling to the right slightly, and the steering wheel was pointed to the left while going straight. Annoying to me.

After the alignment, it's not pulling anymore, but the wheel is now point slightly to the right while going straight. On top of that, I noticed that it feels vague and sloppy while turning the wheel to the right and doesn't want to return to center, whereas while turning left, it's has a better firm feel and does return to center. The alignment was done all to specs. I know that centering the steering wheel is simply adjusting the tie rods an equal amount on both side to bring it back to center. I am just wondering what causes the imprecise on-center feel to the right, but not to the left. It's an annoyance as I like the steering to be exactly centered with an even feel when turning either direction.

I am running 235/35/19 Kumho SPT fronts and 245/35/19 Michelin PS back. Just lowered on Prokits on sport suspension with RS4 rear swaybar.

Anyone have thoughts or input?

**Capt. Obvious** · 09-10-2007 09:31 AM

Sounds like a half-ass alignment to me. I'd take it back and tell them to do it right. Did they give you a print out of before/after specs?

**OutlawDon** · 09-10-2007 09:46 AM

Originally Posted by Capt. Obvious

Sounds like a half-ass alignment to me. I'd take it back and tell them to do it right. Did they give you a print out of before/after specs?

I am going to because I am very unsatisfied. Yes, I did get a printout....I don't have it with me at the moment, but he brought toe front and rear into the green zone. Only thing that was slightly off was the front camber at -1.3, but that can't be adjusted. I watched him perform the alignment and he looked like he did everything he could according to the Visualiner 3D computer.

**Capt. Obvious** · 09-10-2007 10:00 AM

Front camber can't be adjusted and goes .7 degrees negative for every inch or so you lower the car.

**rxrep** · 09-10-2007 10:04 AM

Originally Posted by OutlawDon

according to the Visualiner 3D computer.

Does that have a flux capacitor?

Bottom line is, a lot of time car will pull right because the road slopes that way. But your steering wheel ultimately should be straight when car goes straight on perfectly level driving. That would bug the piss out of me and I'd take it back.

**b6onboost** · 09-10-2007 10:38 AM

Have them do it again. Mine steering wheel still sits true and the tires are wearing evenly.

**ehfour** · 09-10-2007 10:47 AM

Depending on your Mileage, you could be looking at worn control arms....

was it doing it before you were lowered?

**Howard Hughes** · 09-10-2007 11:51 AM

A week is probably not long enough... I would have let them settle a bit more....
Also I had bad steering feel witch I think was attributated to my tie rods.... I replaced them and everything feels tight again.