[jdanek]

I had SWS on my new '14 TDI. The dealer initially fixed it by swapping out the Pirellis for Michelins. That was last summer and the entire process spanned 2 weeks.

Fast forward... last week I returned for the 10K service, which included tire rotation. The steering wheel shake was back in full force! I returned it the next day with the latest TSB in hand (thanks to this forum).

Dealer called 2 days later saying shake was gone. In reality it was about 90% better but still existed above 65mph. Dealer was willing to try again but didn't think it would help.

Earlier today I decided to re-mount the two front wheels myself ….

* Lifted the car, removed each wheel and placed them right back on the hub.
* Hand tightened each lug, ensuring the wheel remained flush with the hub while doing so.
* Using a torque wrench I then tightened each bolt in a star pattern, in increments of 25 Foot Pounds, up to 133 as stated in the manual.
* Lower car to ground.

Took if for a 30 minute test ride on the highway and did not experience *any* steering wheel shake.
At this point I’m cautiously optimistic.

So, in my case, the right tires, RF balance, and proper mounting procedure appears to have resolved the problem. I suppose the take-away is to ensure the dealer actually follows the TSB, right down to the incremental torque wrench settings. Not sure if they missed that or if I just got lucky. Either way this is one finicky vehicle. It shouldn't be this hard to balance and mount tires. I've decided I won't rotate the tires any more, its not worth the time or trouble.

jd

 

[noobytoogy]

As I've said many times, Touaregs normally wear their tires evenly.

Don't rotate!

 

[Totoro]

As I've said many times, Touaregs normally wear their tires evenly.

Don't rotate!

Do you inflate to the recommended factory PSI?

 

[4Xtouareg]

As I've said many times, Touaregs normally wear their tires evenly.

Don't rotate!

This is true, all my tires are 6/32 left (well one on the rear is 5/32) and I don't rotate them.

 

[nm2003]

As I've said many times, Touaregs normally wear their tires evenly.

Don't rotate!

I agree with this advice. I have been given this advice from other mechanics/wheel alignment places over the years. If you don't want any issues with your car not tracking correctly, never rotate tyres.

The front wheels on my front wheel drive A4 B8 wore out much quicker than rear wheels, but I just replaced the two front tyres when worn, and the two back ones still had 70% tread.

Now I have a set of four near new tyres.

When I did not follow this advice on my old VW Passat B5.5, and after rotating tyres had issues with the car never wanting to steer in a straignt line, especially when braking.

When I replace all four tyres, the car steered straight.

 

[agravadr]

As I've said many times, Touaregs normally wear their tires evenly.

Don't rotate!

why is that captain ron?

making me rethink staggered wheels now...

 

[T-Reguan]

why is that captain ron?

making me rethink staggered wheels now...

because you'll get SWS and never get rid of them, just like herpes
Say, should we rename "SWS" to a "T3 herpes"? :twisted:

 

[Totoro]

because you'll get SWS and never get rid of them, just like herpes
Say, should we rename "SWS" to a "T3 herpes"? :twisted:

But you have to take the wheels off anyway to change the tires and brakes. So what is the difference vs rotating?

 

[noobytoogy]

There's an old adage - if it ain't broke, don't fix it.

Here's the new Nooby one:

If you ain't got SWS on a T3 then leave the ****ing wheels alone as long as ever you possibly can.

And keep your fingers crossed you don't get T3 herpes when you do!

 

[Ebg18t]

There's an old adage - if it ain't broke, don't fix it. Here's the new Nooby one: If you ain't got SWS on a T3 then leave the ****ing wheels alone as long as ever you possibly can. And keep your fingers crossed you don't get T3 herpes when you do!

Lol.

I have always rotated tires till I bought my Touareg. Now I don't & wear has been spot on.

 

[Totoro]

Lol.

I have always rotated tires till I bought my Touareg. Now I don't & wear has been spot on.

Again, tire pressure should have a bearing, but nobody has answered my question yet regarding PSI levels. Are they at factory recommended levels? The same levels front and back? Something different entirely?

 

[Ebg18t]

Does this appear to be linked to any particular wheel size?

 

[Ebg18t]

Again, tire pressure should have a bearing, but nobody has answered my question yet regarding PSI levels. Are they at factory recommended levels? The same levels front and back? Something different entirely?

I run 38F/41R and did the TSB 6 o'clock wheel mounting/torquing myself to make sure it was done. The TSB recommends no tires below 36 psi. So far I have been good with my 18's, little worried when I move to 20's though.

 

[bobbydigitali]

Does this appear to be linked to any particular wheel size?

SWS has been reported on all oem wheel sizes (18, 19, and 20). SWS appears to be linked to VW service techs who don't understand how sensitive Touaregs are to wheel mounting.

 

[cpm_seattle]

My story... 2012 TDI Lux (19" wheels). No SWS issues intially. When the tires were rotated by the dealer @ 10K, I got the SWS @ freeway speeds above 65 MPH. Pisser. Took the vehicle to a reputable independent frame/wheel shop (Tru-Line) for balance/align, etc. (whatever... just address the issue, please!)... and the SWS was gone. Owner of frame/wheel shop says: "Don't rotate... and keep the PSI up." I run 35/39 cold -- and this rises to 37/41 after a few miles on the road. Fast forward 2.5 years... and at 42,000 miles, my stock Scorpions were just about down to the bars with uniform wear on all 4 tires. Never had to mess with pressure for 30,000+ miles. Nice. Bought a set of 4 new Scorpions 4 months ago... had Tire Rack drop-ship them to the same independent frame/wheel shop for mount/balance. Now I have 46,000 miles... and No SWS. I will not be rotating.

 

[T-Reguan]

^
Lucky you. I wish I was that lucky.

 

[hedditch]

My story... 2012 TDI Lux (19" wheels). No SWS issues intially. When the tires were rotated by the dealer @ 10K, I got the SWS @ freeway speeds above 65 MPH. Pisser. Took the vehicle to a reputable independent frame/wheel shop (Tru-Line) for balance/align, etc. (whatever... just address the issue, please!)... and the SWS was gone. Owner of frame/wheel shop says: "Don't rotate... and keep the PSI up." I run 35/39 cold -- and this rises to 37/41 after a few miles on the road. Fast forward 2.5 years... and at 42,000 miles, my stock Scorpions were just about down to the bars with uniform wear on all 4 tires. Never had to mess with pressure for 30,000+ miles. Nice. Bought a set of 4 new Scorpions 4 months ago... had Tire Rack drop-ship them to the same independent frame/wheel shop for mount/balance. Now I have 46,000 miles... and No SWS. I will not be rotating.

As I've said many times, Touaregs normally wear their tires evenly. Don't rotate!

How many times does it have to be stated for people to understand. Most tire fitters know nothing about our cars, so why do we let them screw with them. I am half way through my third set of On Road rubber and also run a set of Cooper Off Roads on spare rims. I have never rotated a tyre on the Touareg and they alway wear down at the same rate.

As I've said many times, Touaregs normally wear their tires evenly. Don't rotate!

Stuart...

 

[noobytoogy]

SWS has been reported on all oem wheel sizes (18, 19, and 20). SWS appears to be linked to VW service techs who don't understand how sensitive Touaregs are to wheel mounting.

We can't be sure because any numbers taken from posts on here won't be at all representative of ownership as a whole, but complaints seem to be more focused on 19 and 20 inchers rather than 18s.

 

[bobbydigitali]

We can't be sure because any numbers taken from posts on here won't be at all representative of ownership as a whole, but complaints seem to be more focused on 19 and 20 inchers rather than 18s.

Count me as one of the 18" complainers. I bought my 2012 TDI sport w/o nav a few months ago and the steering wheel shook like crazy from Denver to Truckee (16 hour road trip). After that trip and seeing this thread and many others I was sick to my stomach thinking that I had bought a lemon. After reading the recent TSB thread, I have been able to reduce SWS 90% by having a private auto shop put wheels on following exact TSB procedures with the addition of using wheel hangers.

It may very well be the case that 18" wheels and tires are better equipped to nearly eliminate the SWS issue. In any case, VW should be acknowledging the situation and taking better care of Touareg owners. I will never again let VW dealerships take off or put back on my wheels without me being present to guide the impact gun toting techs. Fortunately that doesn't need to happen at every 10 k service interval because as Nooby and others have stated, Tregs wear their tires evenly. Good luck out there all.

Side note: I ordered some 18" Audi Q7 wheels yesterday. Last model year they were on the Q7 was 2009 I believe. Will update with some pics once I get some Michelin Lat Tours on 'em for summer.

 

[JEC_PA]

Wondering if anyone has ever had SWS with aftermarket wheels?
I'm thinking of getting a set for the summer.