GraSox

I have a 4S '06 and am noticing that when I'm starting out from a stop and turn to back up or go forward (either to the steering limit or close) I feel a feeling in the steering like "jumping" or like running over something. The steering doesn't seem loose.
It doesn't happen all the time but have noticed it more lately. The alignment appears OK at least it tracks down the road fine and tire wear seems OK except the left tire seems like it is wearing a little more than the right but evenly.
(more left hand turns?)
Anyway, anyone notice this? I know because it's a all wheel drive that I would notice a little more pull from the front but seems different to me.
Thanks for any insight!

gota911

Check the front control arms and suspension parts. They could be loose and may need to be re-torqued.

mb1

When I saw the title of your post, I knew what you were going to describe before I read the post itself. My C4 does the same thing. The service department specialist, an experienced guy, knew exactly what I was talking about when I described it over the phone. He said that it was normal and not to worry about it. He even had a name for it, which I've since forgotten. That said, for your own peace of mind, you probably should have it checked out.

ArabCamel

This just happened to me today. I got it checked in a nearby garage with him saying that it is very common and that the wheels may fall off if it doesn't get fixed (lol?). Priced the fix at $800. Will be getting the car checked next weekend at a friends garage to be sure.

alexb76

I've never felt this on my C4S, so I wouldn't say it's normal. Also, has this just started happening or was always there? If just started, then something's off... control arms, tie rod ends, or something like that. Get it checked out.

Pincomar

My 06 did exactly the same thing. Interestingly, my 09 doesn't. I think I remember reading something about this being caused by the 4 Wheel Drive. When the 09's came out they changed the system?

We have had 3 inches of snow in the last 24 hours. Today I remember why I love 4 wheel drive cars!!

UNC911

My TT does the same thing. Didn't notice it in my C2, but it wasn't as cold. Thought it might have something to do with the cold on the tires. Service agrees with everyone that it is normal and is associated with the all wheel drive.

Mtn Busa

My '06 C2S does the same thing. I only notice it while backing out of the garage, when turning the wheel to full lock at very slow speed. I talked to my service advisor about it; he knew exactly what I was talking about and indicated it is perfectly normal.

mungo69

I got the same story from my shop...it's "normal." But that was only after they'd replaced the front pumpkin at a cost of $6K. Since the lumpy steering was the problem I wanted fixed, the fact that $6K changed nothing was, to say the least, disconcerting. But I have no reason to believe I got hosed. They told me that the front wheels of my '06 were not receiving any torque...not even the minimum 5%.

Now that Porsche is part of the VW, Porsche, Audi family, I thought Porsche would borrow from Audi's parts bin, because Audi has been in the AWD business for 30 years. Why Porsche found it necessary to reinvent the wheel is a mystery. Granted the Audi is principally a FWD setup, while the Porsche is principally RWD. But an $87K car should not have lumpy steering or a flakey front differential. I understand the new electronic diff on the 2009-10 models has rectified the problem, but why did it take Porsche so long to figure that out?

Edgy01

Actually, Porsche has been in the AWD business far longer than Audi has even been in business.

The symptom you describe is fairly common, but only manifests itself at slow speeds for me. You should all feel it at one time or another.

Rambler358

I notice the same thing in my '07 C2 when slowly backing out of the driveway, and turning the wheel at almost full lock. I need to enter and back out from my driveway at an angle due to the car's aero kit front lip, in an attempt not to scrape it.

I was going to bring it in to the dealer, but this looks like a normal issue.

Hauser_III

At low speeds, with the steering wheel turned almost completely, every AWD/4WD car I've had, either from Audi or Porsche, has done something I call "crossover," where it feels like the car's going from the outside edge of the tires to the inside edge, or vice versa, and that creates a feeling like the car just went over a tiny bump and went sideways (although the car doesn't actually go sideways). If that's what the OP is experiencing, I'd say it's normal.

equ

Near full lock, in reverse and especially with cold tires, both my 996 and my cayman S exhibit something akin to this. So possibly nothing to do with awd, just steering geometry, cold, hard tires...