Wandering / Swaying on the highway

[rocky.ca]

Just got a new a4, 2001 1.8TQM sport, but it seems as if it sways or wanders on the highway. REALLY ANNOYING. Went to the dealer and they showed me that the bottom part of both rear springs snapped off, but it is still on the pearch. Everything else was tight. Would the springs cause this? Also, would winter tires cause this? Could it be a problem in the steering? It only has 113 000 kms, or 69000miles. Any suggestions, this is annoying as hell.

[JumboBlack1.8]

Sounds like you just need an alignment

[ShawFM]

Just got a new a4, 2001 1.8TQM sport, but it seems as if it sways or wanders on the highway. REALLY ANNOYING. Went to the dealer and they showed me that the bottom part of both rear springs snapped off, but it is still on the pearch. Everything else was tight. Would the springs cause this? Also, would winter tires cause this? Could it be a problem in the steering? It only has 113 000 kms, or 69000miles. Any suggestions, this is annoying as hell.

Agree with Jumbo about an alignment, but would also replace the broken springs.
As far as the tires, when I put my snows on Blizzack LM22 the car tracks perfectly straight. Much less figity than when the summers are on.
And yes I too need an alignment. I chewed through a new set of Dunlop SP5000 's in less than 10k miles.
We have the same set on her A4 2.8q about the same mileage and they are still perfect. Even a $250 dealer alignment would be cheaper than a new set of SP5000's

[.Mad Hatter.]

how wide are your tires?
get new springs

[JaVa]

new springs/alignment. the springs snapping probly messed up the rear alignment

[djwimbo]

new springs/alignment. the springs snapping probly messed up the rear alignment

What he said.

If you have any cross camber or your thrust angle is slightly out of whack (especially with winter tires), you car will drive really squirrely