4 Bent Wheels??? Is This Possible???

[antonioud]

Hello everyone,

I apologize ahead of time for the long post but I wanted to include as many details as I remember.

This topic is actually about my fathers car. If anyone has any input it would be GREATLY be appreciated.

He as a 2004 A8L. Please keep in mind that my father is not an aggressive or crazy driver by any means. He simply goes to work and back each day.

So here's the story......

I guess around maybe 30k miles or so he noticed a noise coming from the rear. Like a hummmm. We thought, maybe bearings or something. He took it in and Audi told him that he had two bent rims and it was not a bearing. He bought two brand new rims and tires.

...That was the first time.

The noise came back a few months later. He brought it in again and asked what the problem was. Audi's answer was that he had 4 bent rims. He explained that he just bought two brand new rims and tires and decided not to get the 4 wheels. He decided to wait it out and see if the noise goes away.

...That was the second time.

The noise did not go away so at a regular maintenance he had them check if there was an issue with the bearings or anything else. Again, they claim that he had 4 bent wheels and needed to buy 4 brand new sets.

...That was a third time.

He decided to bring it to a friend who owns a garage. He did some balancing of the wheels, rotated the tires, and adjusted the tire pressure. The noise went away. Everything was great. However, the noise did end up coming back.

He brought it to Audi again and they told him the same thing... He needed four new Wheels. At this point he had spoken to the service and sales managers more than once. They are aware of the situation but simply claim that he must have hit pot holes.

Last week he went to Audi specifically to speak with the sales manager about his disatisfaction with the dealership and service. The managers response was that they will give the car another evaluation and see what the problem is. My father told him what the results will be (4 new wheels would be needed).

The manager gets back to him a couple of days later with the same answer. 4 new wheels are needed. My father told the manager "I am not saying they are not bent. I am saying there is something wrong with the car causing them to bend".

...That was the fourth time.

Is this at all possible?????? It is very hard to believe that 4 rims would bend like this unless maybe you are 4 wheeling somewhere crazy. Especially after he bought 2 brand new rims and tires!!!!

Please, if anyone has any input at all or has any suggestions on how to handle the situation we would really appreciate it.

[richardfrisk]

Hi Antonioud,

I have exactly the same issue with my 93 A8 and have it booked into the dealer next week.

A whining / humming that comes from the rear at motorway speeds - sounds likw a wheel bearing. I have fitted new tyres all round to make sure it was not those and the tyre fitters have balanced the wheels without mentioning any wheel problems.

I will wait and see what the dealer says.

What type of rime are your fathers? Mine are std n9 spoke 18" rims which I know have given problems on TT/RS4s

Let's see

RAF

[antonioud]

Hey Richard,

I'm sorry to hear that you are having the same issue and replacing all the tires did not resolve it. It is a shame to have such issues on such a nice car.

I believe my father has 17" wheels with all season Pirelli tires. I thought 18" was standard. He was told 17". I can double check when I get home tonight. They are five spoke. The spokes are fatter than a sporty looking wheel.

Good luck with the dealer. I hope they take care of you. Please keep me updated.

Daniel

[GregL]

some all season tires are desined for traction in harsh condition thus making the tread more aggressive you could be expeirencing tire hum I had the same situation with my falken tires they hummmmmmmmmto a point that I had to change them. I'm running 19" stock rims from a 2006 A8 and have changed to a michelin which are 90% better check ou tire rack and look at tire specks they have noise ratings that you can compare

[ini]

Genuine 'old style' RS4 alloys are soft, and designed to bend under impact, and be replaced under warranty.

You would have to do something major to bend all 4 wheels.

Unfortunately many Audi dealers will try and sell you very expensive parts, that you dont need.

The most common is a 'new turbo needed' when the problem is a split in a $1 hose.

[richardfrisk]

Hi antonioud,

Dealer diagnosed failed wheel bearing. I will wait to see if it is cured, but will not use it for a couple of days - will report back shortly.

Richard

[DiscoDunc]

Bump.

Any update on this unfortunate state of affairs? I'm getting a rumble from mine so I'm very interested in the outcome....!