Notchy Steering

[TR1360]

Hi - I’m hoping someone can help me out.

The steering on my 2014 A5 has started to feel “notchy” when driving.  The best way I can describe it is as though there’s a magnet either side of 12 o’clock on the steering wheel that pulls the wheel one degree left - then when I counteract it, it pulls it one degree right.  It isn’t actually restricted to one degree notches - so travelling at, say 50mph approaching a sweeping curve in the road, I can feel the steering wheel slips through several of these “notches” as I turn it.  It feels more like an electronic fault than a mechanical one but I can’t be sure.

The car is a 2014 A5 Quattro 2.0 TFSI SE with adaptive cruise control and lane assist (I never use lane assist).  I had the windscreen replaced 18 months ago and the fitters advised they’d recalibrated everything that was needed.

My mechanic couldn’t find anything and suggested a 4 wheel alignment (Hunter) which I’ve had done - but the problem is still there.

I’m at the end of the road with it now and desperate to get it sorted (I love the car and have owned it since early 2015).  Any suggestions or ideas would be really appreciated .  TIA

[Steve Q]

Has it got electronic power steering? If so then I wonder if a dying battery could be the cause? Failing batteries often throw up odd electrical issues, including with electronic steering. I had a fiat 500l yank the wheel out my hand once because the battery was so low on charge. 

[TR1360]

Thanks Steve,

I believe it is electric PAS (2014 TFSI) but the battery is in great condition.  Not sure how I can test your theory further.  I’ve had two new tyres fitted and a 4 wheel alignment done again but the problem is still with me.  🙁

[Steve Q]

You're welcome, glad to hear the battery is in good condition. Worse case scenario it could be a failing steering rack as I think it can cause the steering to become weighted to the left or right on other cars (old fiat puntos for example). 

[TR1360]

1 hour ago, Steve Q said:

You're welcome, glad to hear the battery is in good condition. Worse case scenario it could be a failing steering rack as I think it can cause the steering to become weighted to the left or right on other cars (old fiat puntos for example). 

Thanks again Steve.  I’d be disappointed if the steering rack is failing with only 22,000 miles on the clock but I’ll get my mechanic to take a closer look.

[Steve Q]

8 hours ago, TR1360 said:

Thanks again Steve.  I’d be disappointed if the steering rack is failing with only 22,000 miles on the clock but I’ll get my mechanic to take a closer look.

No probs, I do agree it's unlikely and probably something more simple. I just go off personal experience. Please keep us updated on how you get on. 

[Magnet]

Hello Steve ( Blackburn)

When you say the battery is in great condition, can you confirm it is not the original, if not,  how old it is, what the brand is, and what your test results were? 
Kind regards,

Gareth. 

[TR1360]

Hi Gareth,

The battery is the original one.  It starts the car on the button and obviously powers everything without problem. I haven’t had any issue with the battery charging / holding its charge on a day to day basis.  I guess that’s not proof of the battery condition though?  Would you and Steve Q recommend that I get it tested at somewhere like Halfords?

Thanks again,

Steve

[Steve Q]

If it's the original then I'd strongly recommend you get it checked at Halfords or similar as the battery could be on the way out as the life expectancy of a battery is between 5-7 years. 

Cheers 

Steve 

 

 

[Magnet]

Hello Steve,

Chances are that the battery has more than done it’s time at that age - even though it starts the car. Modern cars are very susceptible to battery condition, and the old marker of ‘it starts the car’ , really no longer applies. 
Don’t assume it’s serviceable, so get it tested. 
Yes, Halfords were doing testing. 
Buying a replacement from Halfords?? Personally not for me - a couple of issues with ones I’ve had, and that’s before you consider the price! 
For me, I only buy Varta/Bosch on line from specialist suppliers, at the most competitive price, with a minimum of 4 year warranty.  Suppliers include: - Battery Megastore, Tayna - there are more. Beware, strangely, some charge you carriage if bought direct, but sell off eBay at the same price with free delivery! Why?? 
Kind regards,

Gareth. 

[TR1360]

Thanks both. 

Tried Halfords but they need me to book an appointment.  I'm lucky that a very good friend has a chain of motor factors in Manchester so I've asked him to bring the testing kit (whatever that might be) home.  He'll also supply at a good price if a new battery is needed and I agree Gareth, it will be a Varta / Bosch. 

I'm quietly hoping this will be the problem otherwise there's a danger that I go on spending and spending and never find out what the cause is.  There's no shortage of "notchy steering issues" posted online but very few people say how they've resolved it!!

Thanks again.  

Steve

[Steve Q]

You're welcome, please keep us updated on how you get on. 

Cheers 

Steve 

 

 

[TR1360]

Will do.  I’ve also found a potential solution that seems to have worked for others in disabling the DSR in VAG COM. I’ve messaged the local independent to see if it’s something they can do for me.    
https://www.audizine.com/forum/showthread.php/533535-2013-Steering-Issues-VAG-COM-Fix

[Steve Q]

8 hours ago, TR1360 said:

Will do.  I’ve also found a potential solution that seems to have worked for others in disabling the DSR in VAG COM. I’ve messaged the local independent to see if it’s something they can do for me.    
https://www.audizine.com/forum/showthread.php/533535-2013-Steering-Issues-VAG-COM-Fix

Well that would be an easier solution, cheaper too.compated to a steering rack. I'd still consider a new battery though, as you might find the car will develop other electrical gremlins. 

Cheers

Steve

[TR1360]

It turns out I don’t have DSR on my 2014 A5 TFSI.  The team at the local indie has agreed there’s a steering problem though so will keep it for a couple of days next week to assess.  Hopefully I’ll get the new battery fitted this Friday! 

[Steve Q]

On 5/12/2021 at 8:24 PM, TR1360 said:

It turns out I don’t have DSR on my 2014 A5 TFSI.  The team at the local indie has agreed there’s a steering problem though so will keep it for a couple of days next week to assess.  Hopefully I’ll get the new battery fitted this Friday! 

Glad you're getting a new battery 🙂 I hope they get to the bottom of it for you ☺️

[Gav2606]

 Hi. Did you ever get to the bottom of this. I have 2014 a5 2.0tdi. Excatly the same problem.  4 wheel alignment done by 3 different garages. 4 new tyres all round. Takes away what would be a nice drive having to correct the steering all the time

Edited July 24, 2022 by Gav2606
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[RoyC]

Plenty of videos about it.

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=2014+audi+a5+Notchy+Steering 

 

 

[Gav2606]

Thanks. I have watched many videos and forum discussions but there is no definitive answer as to what causes it, did audi ever except it as a recal? 

[TR1360]

On 7/24/2022 at 8:58 PM, Gav2606 said:

 Hi. Did you ever get to the bottom of this. I have 2014 a5 2.0tdi. Excatly the same problem.  4 wheel alignment done by 3 different garages. 4 new tyres all round. Takes away what would be a nice drive having to correct the steering all the time

Gav,  I'm sorry, I didn't get it resolved.  The indie couldn't sort it so I ended up selling the car to the trade (WBAC).  I was just going to be throwing money at it forever so decided to cut my losses.  Really hope you get yours sorted because these are great cars! 

[Gav2606]

Thanks for that. I reckon thats whats happened with the one ive got, somebody got fed up with it and i bought it from a trader that got it from a auction im now being told..

[TR1360]

2 minutes ago, Gav2606 said:

Thanks for that. I reckon thats whats happened with the one ive got, somebody got fed up with it and i bought it from a trader that got it from a auction im now being told..

Oh God!  I hope it's not mine that you've ended up with (PJ64...).  I felt guilty as hell but hoped it would get moved on by the trade with a warranty for the next owner!!

[Gav2606]

Lol no not yours. Mines a 14 plate

[TR1360]

18 hours ago, Gav2606 said:

Lol no not yours. Mines a 14 plate

Phew!!!!

[Rbn]

Hey, any chance you got to the bottom of the problem? I have Audi A5 from 2012 and I have exactly the same problem. It's almost impossible to keep the stealing wheel at 12 o'clock. It always drift 1° left or right like there was some notch. Thanks