Audi RS4 survey
18 June 2001, 12:26 AM
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RS4 Safety Scare (Source: EVO-website)
Audi could find itself embroiled in another safety controversy, following on from the TT handling debacle, after reports of wheels on its RS4 super-estate buckling under minor impacts.
It has been alleged that the performance flagship’s 18-inch nine-spoke alloys have an inherent weakness. A number of owners became suspicious when their wheels bent under what they described as normal driving conditions. When Audi wouldn’t admit to a problem with the wheels, the owners commissioned independent tests to prove that the alloys weren’t strong enough for road use.
The tests were carried out by SMS Consultants in Bath, which has links with the Department of Engineering & Metallurgy at Bath University. SMS’s Harry Reiter found that Audi’s chosen manufacturing process meant the wheels were significantly weakened.
According to Reiter’s report, the alloy in the RS4 wheels would normally used in the ‘T6’ condition. That meant that the metal was solution-treated to increase tensile strength and then artificially aged. Instead, Audi had allowed the wheels to cool from the mould and age without solution treatment. The resulting metal would be categorised as in the ‘T5’ condition. This meant that the wheels on the RS4 were weaker in terms of tensile strength than those fitted to rivals and as much as four times weaker than those on the less powerful Audi S4.
In pre-production form, the RS4 was first shown with five-spoke alloys but these were changed at the last minute to the current nine-spoke design. It is understood the change was made because impacts were causing damage to the suspension wishbones. The solution was to adopt alloys of a lower tensile strength. The result is a wheel that stretches or compresses under shock, but which reaches its elastic limit (the point at which it can no longer return to the original shape) more quickly. When this happens there is a danger of the tyre peeling off the rim.
In a letter that was sent to some RS4 owners, Audi UK stated: ‘The alloy wheel design incorporates use of a material that deliberately results in deformation of the wheel if driven over a significant obstacle. The purpose of this design is to prevent damage to parts of the suspension, axle components and body structure.’
No major accidents have resulted from the wheels becoming deformed. However, Audi has already replaced well over 100 alloys of this design and there is now a two-month waiting list for the replacements. Owners have been advised not to fit an aftermarket wheel, as the resulting stress of a stiffer wheel could cause even more dangerous suspension failures.
An investigation is underway by the HM Vehicle Inspectorate. If the independent test results are borne out, then all RS4s may be subject to a recall. If, as seems likely, the problem is inherent to the chassis set-up, a fix could prove to be costly and could take some time.
(© Copyright 2000 evo Publications Ltd. All rights reserved.)
Problem known? Reactions from RS4-drivers please!
Jo
RS4 Safety Scare (Source: EVO-website)
Audi could find itself embroiled in another safety controversy, following on from the TT handling debacle, after reports of wheels on its RS4 super-estate buckling under minor impacts.
It has been alleged that the performance flagship’s 18-inch nine-spoke alloys have an inherent weakness. A number of owners became suspicious when their wheels bent under what they described as normal driving conditions. When Audi wouldn’t admit to a problem with the wheels, the owners commissioned independent tests to prove that the alloys weren’t strong enough for road use.
The tests were carried out by SMS Consultants in Bath, which has links with the Department of Engineering & Metallurgy at Bath University. SMS’s Harry Reiter found that Audi’s chosen manufacturing process meant the wheels were significantly weakened.
According to Reiter’s report, the alloy in the RS4 wheels would normally used in the ‘T6’ condition. That meant that the metal was solution-treated to increase tensile strength and then artificially aged. Instead, Audi had allowed the wheels to cool from the mould and age without solution treatment. The resulting metal would be categorised as in the ‘T5’ condition. This meant that the wheels on the RS4 were weaker in terms of tensile strength than those fitted to rivals and as much as four times weaker than those on the less powerful Audi S4.
In pre-production form, the RS4 was first shown with five-spoke alloys but these were changed at the last minute to the current nine-spoke design. It is understood the change was made because impacts were causing damage to the suspension wishbones. The solution was to adopt alloys of a lower tensile strength. The result is a wheel that stretches or compresses under shock, but which reaches its elastic limit (the point at which it can no longer return to the original shape) more quickly. When this happens there is a danger of the tyre peeling off the rim.
In a letter that was sent to some RS4 owners, Audi UK stated: ‘The alloy wheel design incorporates use of a material that deliberately results in deformation of the wheel if driven over a significant obstacle. The purpose of this design is to prevent damage to parts of the suspension, axle components and body structure.’
No major accidents have resulted from the wheels becoming deformed. However, Audi has already replaced well over 100 alloys of this design and there is now a two-month waiting list for the replacements. Owners have been advised not to fit an aftermarket wheel, as the resulting stress of a stiffer wheel could cause even more dangerous suspension failures.
An investigation is underway by the HM Vehicle Inspectorate. If the independent test results are borne out, then all RS4s may be subject to a recall. If, as seems likely, the problem is inherent to the chassis set-up, a fix could prove to be costly and could take some time.
(© Copyright 2000 evo Publications Ltd. All rights reserved.)
Problem known? Reactions from RS4-drivers please!
Jo
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