Sunday Times tackles juddering Dunlop tyres question
The Sunday Times brilliant Car Clinic column, which appears in the ingear supplement, tackled a question about juddery Dunlop tyres this weekend.
After fitting replacement Dunlop SP Sport Maxx TT tyres on his Audi, GW from Oldham noticed the judder when the car was on full lock.
He asked the panel: “I drive a 2006 Audi A4 S line Special Edition that I have owned since new. Last summer I replaced the front tyres with some Dunlop SP Sport Maxx TT tyres. Since December, whenever the car is on full lock, I have noticed a judder coming from the front tyres. I thouht this might be due to the snow but the problem has continued since the thaw. My local Audi dealer said this is normal on an S line but I never had this with my previous tyres, which were similar Dunlops. I would value your opinion.”
Car Clinic Panelist Dave Pollard replied: “At low speeds it is possible to get a strange sensation - commonly known as crabbing - when the wheels are on full lock. This feels as if the tyres are digging into the road and almost tugging at the steering wheel.
“The fact that you didn’t notice this issue straight after the tyre change suggests that it’s probably not down to the tyres (assuming you have the pressure set correctly) but is more likely to be due to a steering alignment (tracking) problem.
“This may be confirmed by excessive or irregular wear on the inside edges of the front tyres and your dealer or local tyre specialist should be able to check and reset the tracking, if that’s required. They can also check the level of wear on the tyres more accuraely than you can, and it’s a good idea to ask them to do so, because if the tyres are too badly worn they may be illegal.
“If you are still in any doubt, call Dunlop’s technical help desk on 01902 453 097 for more advice.”
Oliver Hall, Operations Team
Number: Z8037079
Reg: NKF419
