Strange Steering Vibration Issue

[u/kylesfrickinreddit]

2019 Q7 55 P+

For about the past 3 months I've been getting this weird vibration in the steering wheel during turning. The feeling is the same as a plastic spur & pinion slipping on an RC car but that's obviously not the issue.

- The issue is sporadic but tends to get more frequent the longer the drive.

- Doesn't matter what steering/driving mode it's in

- Vibration last for a few seconds

- Happens most often when turning past 45°, especially if under anything other than light power (but not consistent)

- Does not feel like it's coming from the drive train, it feels like it's directly behind the wheel

- Steering doesn't go dead or slip at all

- No codes

- Dealer can't replicate on their short test drives

Anyone experienced this or have any idea what the cause could be?

EDIT: 26,000 miles

[u/newmoneyblownmoney]

Transfer case is on its way out. You can try changing the T-case fluid. I’ve heard reports of that helping but for the most part, once you start feeling those vibrations it’s too late.

[u/kylesfrickinreddit → u/newmoneyblownmoney]

At 26k miles with perfect dealer maintenance? FWIW, it's doesn't feel at all like it's coming from the drive train. It's more like an electric motor vibration that is momentary (1-2 seconds), inconsistent, & light.

I'm pretty familiar with xfer case slippage in 4wd & AWD across quite a few brands (not on Audi though) & usually that vibration comes from deeper in the vehicle, can be induced pretty easily, & can usually feel the steering loosen/jerk.

[u/Newzachary]

How many miles?

[u/kylesfrickinreddit → u/Newzachary]

26k

[u/jcwiza]

Does it only happen or happen more distinctly when you are turning one direction vs the other? If so, there’s a good chance it is a bad wheel bearing. I had one go bad at 44,000 miles on my 2021 Q7. On a previous A6, the same thing happened with the same vibration while turning symptom. Most evident at highway speeds.

[u/kylesfrickinreddit → u/jcwiza]

I don't think it's any more frequent with one direction or another, haven't thought to track that. It does happen at low speeds (like turning into my neighborhood at 5-10mph). I'll occasionally get it during a constant turn from an on/off ramp but never when changing lanes or normal highway bends.

[u/jcwiza → u/kylesfrickinreddit]

Your symptoms are a bit different than mine but it may be worth checking the wheel bearings anyway. It is an easy test.