Rattling and Rubbing Sound on 2013 S4

[dbX79]

I've had my car for almost 4 months and its nice. Only weird thing is when I'm driving around the parking lot of my apts I notice a rubbing sound from the steering wheel. That's the only thing I don't like about this car. I mean it rubs so much it sounds bad. Anyway to fix this? Vag com or something? I also noticed when I'm driving on a road with a few cracks that the instrument panel (area with the speedometer) makes cracking noises like its cheap or something. So I take this car to the dealer? Are these noises normal? And has anyone else noticed this in the 2013 S4?

[afig367]

Does it happen only in your apartment complex? If so, is it prior to the ABS kicking in because that produces a weird sound.

Unfortunately, our cars do rattle a bit (especially the doors) on bumpy roads. Mine makes all sorts of strange noises. Not sure about the instrument panel, but I always have music playing.....

[dbX79]

I'm driving now and it's not happening. The cracking on the tachometer stopped also. I don't get sound from the doors just the dashboard. I'm staring to think it makes this noise until the car warms up a bit. I just don't want to avoid the cracking sound and later it becomes a electrical problem. I had a 94 Honda Civic that had that issue and it was like the instrument panel was fried and the alarm was triggered by it. Next time it happens I'll post on this thread. The steering wheel is making a huge rubbing sound though. It's like it's not designed correctly and even though the turning radius is sharp it still makes a rubbing noise when turning.

[SwankPeRFection]

The "rubbing" sound you think is coming from the steering wheel is actually more of a feel/sound than anything else. It should only happen when tightly turning and it happens because of the AWD system. In tight turns, the diffs are fighting a bit on the front two wheels because the inside and outside wheels are turning at very different speeds and the front diff isn't open. If it was an open diff, you wouldn't have this problem. It's normal, as long as it's the same thing I'm feeling and others do in their cars. We can't tell if if's the same or not because we're not in your car, but go to your dealer and tell them about your issues and that you'd like to test drive another new S4 for a few minutes in the parking lot to see if it behaves the same. Chances are good, it'll be the same.

Your other creeking issue he dash could be something else or could be related to the same steering issue. Again, could be a rack problem or could simply be normal. I don't have any creeking issues on mine like that, but I have a 2010, which has a different type of steering rack/control. I'd tell you to check the hydraulic fluid tank for the steering, but I don't believe the 2013's have it since it's electronic steering. Look anyway, open the hood and on the lower right facing the car (right behind the driver's side headlight) there should be a small black plastic canister with a grey screw-on lid. Make sure it has enough fluid in it. It's read the same way engine oil is read. Again, you may or may not have this since the steering rack is different on the 2013, you'll have to check.

[BzzzBom]

Apparently the slow turning whining / rubbing feel / sound is normal. I have driven 4-5 S4s and they all do it, although some more than others.

[Mr. Merk]

the rattle sound from the cluster went away after I pushed in on the silver panel some, it seemed to not be fully seated

[drob23]

The "rubbing" sound you think is coming from the steering wheel is actually more of a feel/sound than anything else. It should only happen when tightly turning and it happens because of the AWD system. In tight turns, the diffs are fighting a bit on the front two wheels because the inside and outside wheels are turning at very different speeds and the front diff isn't open. If it was an open diff, you wouldn't have this problem. It's normal, as long as it's the same thing I'm feeling and others do in their cars. We can't tell if if's the same or not because we're not in your car, but go to your dealer and tell them about your issues and that you'd like to test drive another new S4 for a few minutes in the parking lot to see if it behaves the same. Chances are good, it'll be the same.

This is an interesting theory, but the front diff is open as far as I know. So you are supposing that the brakes are doing this inline with the "electronic open differential", i.e. braking the inside wheel?

I've noticed this issue during low speed maneuvering, and would call it a "vibration felt mostly through the steering wheel" that can become quite noticeable when the wheel is near lock (and thus speed is < 5 MPH). I always figured it had something to do with a fender bender I had right around when I got the car. Good idea about trying out another car, probably any quattro B8 car will work.

[dbX79]

The sounds are very intermittent. I was driving tonight and the cracking started back up but the rubbing was not there. I pushed the plastic around and it wasn't as bad. I know the dealer will deny there is any issue but I'm going to test drive another one to confirm it exists. I think these cars are just made that way. The cracking on the dash is a design issue I think.

[BzzzBom]

Do you also hear a faint "whiring" sound during slow turning maneuvers? I have notice this in all of the driven S4s.

[dbX79]

I didn't notice a whiting sound but the plastic around the tachometer creeks and sounds like it can't handle the car going across cracks in the road. My only concern is if this will wear and tear over time. Right now I could be avoiding something important or it could just be nothing. I'm going to record it and upload the video here so you guys can hear it.

[mattchat]

I have had the same steering sounds and it is normal, what I can say is that it does go away with time.

[LakeShow]

I too have a 13' and recently noticed a squeaking/creaking type of noise coming from the front end of the car when applying the brakes and coming to a stop at lower speeds. Car only has 4k miles and I can't pinpoint if its suspension or brakes. Even had a few friends stand outside to see if they can hear it but they couldn't, you can only hear it from inside. Anyone else having similar issues?

[rs4dreams]

I too have a 13' and recently noticed a squeaking/creaking type of noise coming from the front end of the car when applying the brakes and coming to a stop at lower speeds. Car only has 4k miles and I can't pinpoint if its suspension or brakes. Even had a few friends stand outside to see if they can hear it but they couldn't, you can only hear it from inside. Anyone else having similar issues?

I get this sound sometimes too. Seems to be the frame flexing but I'm not sure.

As far as creaks and rattles from the dash and door panels, I had some work done by the dealer under warranty. There are a few TSBs out for it.

[dbX79]

I get this sound sometimes too. Seems to be the frame flexing but I'm not sure.

As far as creaks and rattles from the dash and door panels, I had some work done by the dealer under warranty. There are a few TSBs out for it.

I'm going to have them look at it today. I just need a technical explanation for both. The creaking sound seems to be a combination of the motor vibration and bumps in the road. I don't think the car is defective but I'd like to know why it makes a cracking sound and I only have 4K miles on it.

[Toecutter]

My 2013 just started making a rubbing or scraping sound when turning the wheel while driving at low speeds. I'm at 13K miles and 10 months of ownership. It was silent up until Saturday. I dropped it off at the dealership this morning and the Tech immediately diagnosed it as the dynamic steering. He said it was a common complaint from many of their other late model Audi owners. He's doing the repair right now and I'll report back later what all they did.

BTW my loaner is a 2013 BMW 328i X-drive. It's a bare bones model so it's pretty bland. I think if it had any options it would be nicer to drive, but as is there is definitely no comparison to the S4.

[SwankPeRFection]

Wait, are you guys talking about the steering making a noise or having a feel when you turn the wheel or when it's turned and you're driving in circles at low speeds and close quarters? If you're talking about the resistance/vibration feeling you're it has, that's the Quattro AWD system, if you're talking about something else that the steering wheel actually makes a noise while you're turning the wheel itself, that's most likely what the guy above is experiencing and something wrong with the rack or servo system on the 2013+ models.

[Toecutter]

Wait, are you guys talking about the steering making a noise or having a feel when you turn the wheel or when it's turned and you're driving in circles at low speeds and close quarters? If you're talking about the resistance/vibration feeling you're it has, that's the Quattro AWD system, if you're talking about something else that the steering wheel actually makes a noise while you're turning the wheel itself, that's most likely what the guy above is experiencing and something wrong with the rack or servo system on the 2013+ models.

I was just referring to a scraping noise. The feel hasn't changed for me at all; the noise just started up.

[BzzzBom]

It sounds like there may be a separate steering issue related to owners with the dynamic steering option. I have driven 4-5 S4s and they all have the low speed steering issue which some refer to as a shudder or vibration noise/feel. I describe it as a mild shudder as if one of the front tires is not turning as fast as the other combined with a slight whiring noise, similar to a power steering noise when wheel is in left or right locked position.

[jedirocker]

My B&O front speakers rattle. When I first got the car, only one rattled. Dealer fixed it with 5K service. Car goes in this week for 15K service, so am asking them to fix the other speakers the same way. They added felt material to fix the first one.

[dbX79]

The creaking from the dash didn't even occur today. The rumbling feeling from the steering didn't either. Once I capture the sound I'll post a vid for sure. I did stop by the dealer for slow wifi issues. I can't even load Facebook updates on my iPhones it just loads and loads but no content shows. Does anyone know if all supercharged badges are made in China?

[mcoomer]

Very tight, slow turns cause a vibration sound and some feedback in the steering wheel on our car as well. Even my wife noticed it and she doesn't notice anything short of smoke and flames coming from under the hood.

[Oloung1]

if you're talking about something else that the steering wheel actually makes a noise while you're turning the wheel itself, that's most likely what the guy above is experiencing and something wrong with the rack or servo system on the 2013+ models.

yesterday i just heard a "thunk" from what sounds like the front driver and passenger strut towers when accelerating from a stop.
i dont hear the sound when there is no gas or the car is just cruizing at low speeds. sounds almost like the struts are unsettling?

ive noticed the small steering "vibration" and know its from the quattro but the other random thunk is something im not used to.

[dbX79]

I called AoA about the steering update and they confirmed. I'm going in Wednesday to get it looked at.