Mild shudder during slow-speed turn

[threeblues]

When pulling slowly from a parking stop and turning, my 2013 S4 usually has a mild shudder. It only does it while turning at very slow speeds, in either direction. There is no vibration coming through the steering wheel; the shudder almost seems like it is coming from the wheels or tires, and sounds like a tire dragging rather than turning (we're talking 5-10 mph). A search of forums brought up something called "crab crawl" which is a characteristic of the quattro system. However, these were in reference to older A6 and Q5 models. My previous 2001 S4 did not do this. Has anyone else experienced this? Any ideas?

[BzzzBom]

Apparently normal but feels weird -- I have had this issue with my 2013 S4 since day one.

[Bomiz]

I have it too, it's normal.

[S4morris]

Mine does it as well. I always figured it was my 20's or being lowered but I've heard it's "normal".

[Madbusy168]

same here, I think its a characteristic of awd

[Doc Masher]

I too have the shudder in turns under 10 MPH. I have not heard the details of why the drive-line does this. I have a 2011 S4 with s-tronic transmission and sports differential. I have a buddy who has a 2010 S4 manual transmission and his car does not shudder as much, but the shudder is there.

[BzzzBom]

I have also noticed that the DSG cars shudder more than the manual ones.

[drob23]

I too have it. Wonder if the difference in intensity of the vibration has anything to do with the new crown center diff - which can only be found on the S-Tronic B8.5. But people have this on the B8 so might be a non-factor.

[Jones2012s4]

This is typical differential behaviour at slow speeds. Inside wheel is turning slower then outside wheel, you have two differentials compensating for the difference in wheel speed.

This is normal.

Try searching for differential shudder or vibration.

[threeblues]

Thanks for all the replies. Mine has 18 inch rims. Has anyone had this checked by the dealer?

[firstars]

+1 - Notice this as well

[Black_V!per]

I've done quite a few slow speed turns with the wheel turned all the way, have yet to notice it but will keep it in mind on my next ride and report back. 2014-S4p+ & DSG

[priceprince]

I took my car to the dealership for this issue myself, and the tech rode with me around the parking lot as I made the car do the shudder on low speed turns. Like some have said above, he told me that all Quattro cars do this, the back and front wheels are turning at different rates, and the tires are gripping too much or something. With brand new tires, you'll notice it more.
So yeah it's normal. :)

[MVR 155]

Notice this at nearly full lock low speed turns, have also read/been told its normal.

[lapisia]

Omg I was about to post this question last night cos I have felt it too since I got the car and I have been meaning to find out what it is before I bring the car in for its first service. Good to hear it's normal!

One question though. Even though you guys say it's normal... is it bad for the car if I do this often?

[ahcow]

Had this problem since day one. After 3+ years of driving it out of my condo parking lot (many slow speed turns), I just got used to it. I have spoken to dealer a few times, nothing to fix as far as I know.

[drob23]

I did notice it was significantly less apparent in the A6 loaner I had. Guessing it might have to do with how the clutch slips in conjunction with both center and front differentials.

[John@Roc-Euro]

This is typical differential behaviour at slow speeds. Inside wheel is turning slower then outside wheel, you have two differentials compensating for the difference in wheel speed.

This is normal.

Try searching for differential shudder or vibration.

Just reiterating.

Likely more noticeable with larger wheels or lower profile tires.

No worries, not a problem.

[fignewton]

I also have this on my 2010, but have another strange thing. I keep my wheel pulled out toward me all the way and down, and I pick up a "clacking" kind of feeling that comes up through the wheel and feels like its in the steering column itself. I can be driving in a straight line and move the wheel back and forth and it feels like the steering shaft is hitting something or its in a shaft U-joint something. Don't think it's power steering or differential related. Anyone else feel anything like this on their cars?
On the scrubbing, it doesn't do it all the time but I notice it more a low engine rpms like when you first start to move (DSG). Had one power steering line replaced already based on the A4 TSB for vibration, but that was a different symptom.

[FatalBert]

I seem to have some slacky jutter feeling when pulling out of a parking spot in 1st while turning. I drive an MT6. I always thought it was some kind of drivetrain slack with the clutch etc. I can prevent it from happening by not turning as sharp and feathering the clutch a bit more than needed.

[paige]

I just bought a 2014 s4, mind did this too, only when you turn the steering wheel really sharp at very low speed, really weird. my previous car is 2013 a4, never did this, I don't know why?

[Estoril4]

SA told me when I first purchased last year this is the most common question he gets, perfectly normal

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[Dr GP]

ITS NORMAL!!!!!. This is one of the most asked questions on all Audi forums,especially with owners who never had an AWD car before.My 2002 AWD Mountaineer does the same. Due to the differences in turning radii between the inside and out side wheel, the drive system has to compensate for this. The quattro system has a hard time compensating at low speeds(under 5 mph) So what you are feeling is the tires scrubbing against the road surface making the compensation. Forgetaboutit!

[SkyparkPT]

I agree with the diff reasoning for this shudder, but it seems to have diminished significantly with the Alu Kreuz. No clue why, but interesting to note anyway. Anyone else note the before and after?

[Deganem]

Same thing here. I’m guessing it’s normal based on everyone’s feedback. I have driven other awd trucks/cars on occasion and have noticed similar findings. What I find strange is that I didn’t recall feeling it in the other S4s I test drove before buying mine. Perhaps it was there and I simply was too enamoured with the 333 hp awd to notice the slow speed handling!

Is it perhaps more noticeable on dsg cars? That may be the case since I looked at a few manual cars before buying the dsg...


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[Dr GP]

I was in an Infiniti dealer last month leasing a QX50. While there, they had to jockey a Q50 AWD out of the showroom, obviously at slow speed with significant maneuvering. The squealing of the tires against the tile floor was very evident and extremely loud. Just saying

[TEB]

This is my 3rd Audi Quattro. The crab was not at all noticeable with my B5A4, was very prominent in the B6S4, and is slight in this B8S4. It's a fairly common thing in 4WD/AWD vehicles. Drive a truck in 4WD low and look out, it's significant.

[Tyintegra]

This is sometimes referred to as "Quattro Rumble" and is completely normal

My B7 S4 did it and now our B8 A4 does it.

[purelife]

I had my 2014 S4 for 5 years now and never noticed this problem until yesterday. At slow speeds if i just wiggle my steering wheel left and right it has this rubbing feeling i can feel through the steering wheel. I can't duplicate the problem today. Could it be something else breaking?

[Legion]

If this is the first time you've noticed it and you've had the car for 5 years, it could be bushing related. Some sort of dampener has started to wear out. The 'quattro rumble' that people normally experience is during a sharp turn, such as a U-Turn or going really slow around a corner in a parking garage. Its just (as previously stated) that the inner tires move at a different rate of speed than the outer tires.

[purelife]

Actually I didn’t mean to say vibration. It feels more like a rubber squeaky feeling. When I was stopped I can just move steering slightly left and right and gives me this rubbing feel and can kind of hear this slight squeak sound. Car has 96000km.

[Legion]

Actually I didn’t mean to say vibration. It feels more like a rubber squeaky feeling. When I was stopped I can just move steering slightly left and right and gives me this rubbing feel and can kind of hear this slight squeak sound. Car has 96000km.

That - to me - definitely does not sound like the normal quattro turn sound. I would hazard a guess that it's something bushing/joint related.

[seedefus]

I have an 02 a4 3.0 Quattro makes the stutter sound as you describe... Only code reference is awd clutch valve... Same exact symptom, not needed, in the old b6 it don't even trow a light on the dash or anything, and probably deleted in new model years. I have an 04 a4 3.0 same thing no code reference

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[CadMonkey]

As a relatively new S4 owner, mine is a 2013, I was wondering what this was and thinking it was the rear diff starting to bind. I also only noticed after I purchased (Private sale). So after reading various forums it was a little more reassuring to see this is a fairly common trait.

All of the various comments about this is what you have to live with when you have 4WD are not true, I think its more a case of you get what you pay for. After being a Land Rover owner for years (all of which are full time 4wd and driven everything from the early ones up to the the most recent, some with quite a bit more power and torque that the S4. Yet, I have never come across one with a drive train that drags in the way my and it would seem many other S4 owners have seen, even when off road at extreme articulation. The diffs are always as smooth as butter and no wheel skip or juddering. That said i have driven mid 2000 Ford F250's and if you engage the 4wd on those the level of rear inner tire skipping is insane and makes the S4 seem very smooth.

I really like the S4 and am super happy to have it, great performance, handling, but honestly Audi have not done a great job in the design of the drive train functionality.