Steering Rack: Is an S4 or even a RS4 rack an upgrade?

[Militant-Grunt]

Wondering about this, seeing that I have a B6 with 128XXX miles, of course I need a new rack. Im finding threads with people putting in B7 racks, but what Im curious about is if any one know if a RS4 or a /B6/B7 S4 has a better ratio? I know for a fact that B5 S4's did have better racks than A4's. Perhaps its true for the B6 as well?

Part Number for an A4 rack is: 8E1 422 053 KX
B6 S4 rack is: 8E1 422 053 EX
B7 A4 rack is: 8E1 422 054 BX
B7 S4 rack is: 8E1 422 054
B7 RS4 rack: 8E1 422 054

[vintagespin]

I think there was a thread about it a little bit ago. The S4 has a quicker ratio, and the RS4 ratio is even quicker than that.

[MikTip]

The "X" on the end of the part number means they are rebuilt.....that is all.

[MikTip]

http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...highlight=rack

[MikTip]

http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...highlight=rack

[MikTip]

http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...highlight=rack

[thegamepimp]

Wondering about this, seeing that I have a B6 with 128XXX miles, of course I need a new rack. Im finding threads with people putting in B7 racks, but what Im curious about is if any one know if a RS4 or a /B6/B7 S4 has a better ratio? I know for a fact that B5 S4's did have better racks than A4's. Perhaps its true for the B6 as well?

Part Number for an A4 rack is: 8E1 422 053 KX
B6 S4 rack is: 8E1 422 053 EX
B7 A4 rack is: 8E1 422 054 BX
B7 S4 rack is: 8E1 422 054
B7 RS4 rack: 8E1 422 054

I have a 2004 A4 1.8t Q Ultrasport, I was seeing what would be an upgrade and when I called the stealership they gave me part # 8E1 422 054 A based off of my VIN - Question is, does anyone know what the A means? Is it different than the B7? Where did the numbers above come from? Does anyone know the corresponding rack from Rackdoctor? Is there a better option?

Thanks.

[JEENYUS]

My car has an RS4 steering rack in it. I love it. The steering is tighter and feels more firm.

The RS4 rack comes with a hookup for power assist, but since the B6 doesn't have power assist you don't hook it up and it makes it feel a lot more manual (what i was looking for) and a lot less squishy. Let me know if you have any questions on it.

I installed this on a 3.0 and my buddy did his on a 1.8t. Naturally the 1.8t install was super easy in comparison to the 3.0

I hope that I never have to do it again...

[n7plus1]

when i replaced my '03's i just used a rebuilt one from rackdoctor for the b6...i didnt even get into "upgrading" it. not worth my time to research it.

[JEENYUS]

when i replaced my '03's i just used a rebuilt one from rackdoctor for the b6...i didnt even get into "upgrading" it. not worth my time to research it.

figuring out that an RS4 rack would fit my car took all but 30 min. to confirm. It's a much better feel vs the stock rack. it's also a lot beefier than the stock rack.

[SleeperAvant]

Are the servotronic modules different from B6 to B7 and even from A4 to S4/RS4?

[JEENYUS]

Are the servotronic modules different from B6 to B7 and even from A4 to S4/RS4?

The B6 doesn't have servotronic racks from what I understand. Wasn't till the B7 they put that shit in there.

[SleeperAvant]

The B6 doesn't have servotronic racks from what I understand. Wasn't till the B7 they put that shit in there.

So would us B6'ers have to swap all that servo stuff in to use a B7 S4/RS4 rack?

[outsider6661]

So would us B6'ers have to swap all that servo stuff in to use a B7 S4/RS4 rack?

You can run the rack as is with out the servo, I know as I had one installed on mine when I had the B6. JEENYUS ended up buying it when I striped and parted out the car. The rack made a huge difference the steering response was night and day its a must have if you have the FBSW.

That is all...

[JEENYUS]

So would us B6'ers have to swap all that servo stuff in to use a B7 S4/RS4 rack?

nope. you just don't use it at all. it really makes the steering feel more driver oriented IMO.

[Siggiepop]

You can run the rack as is with out the servo, I know as I had one installed on mine when I had the B6. JEENYUS ended up buying it when I striped and parted out the car. The rack made a huge difference the steering response was night and day its a must have if you have the FBSW.

That is all...

Good to know

[CyberPMG]

Good info here! I'm thinking I may need a new rack (original rack has 269k miles on it). I've noticed a few times where the steering seems to "stick" a little before moving. Doesn't happen all the time. Haven't lost any power steering fluid. Don't hear any noise from the power steering pump (or pulley) to indicate it's going bad. I'm thinking the rack is simply wearing out.

[n7plus1]

figuring out that an RS4 rack would fit my car took all but 30 min. to confirm. It's a much better feel vs the stock rack. it's also a lot beefier than the stock rack.

whered you buy it? how much?

[n7plus1]

Good info here! I'm thinking I may need a new rack (original rack has 269k miles on it). I've noticed a few times where the steering seems to "stick" a little before moving. Doesn't happen all the time. Haven't lost any power steering fluid. Don't hear any noise from the power steering pump (or pulley) to indicate it's going bad. I'm thinking the rack is simply wearing out.

yup, mine did that a few months before it actually blew out. I did a flush of it and that lasted a few more months...then boom.

[SleeperAvant]

You can run the rack as is with out the servo, I know as I had one installed on mine when I had the B6. JEENYUS ended up buying it when I striped and parted out the car. The rack made a huge difference the steering response was night and day its a must have if you have the FBSW.

That is all...

nope. you just don't use it at all. it really makes the steering feel more driver oriented IMO.

Awesome, thanks guys!

[JEENYUS]

Good info here! I'm thinking I may need a new rack (original rack has 269k miles on it). I've noticed a few times where the steering seems to "stick" a little before moving. Doesn't happen all the time. Haven't lost any power steering fluid. Don't hear any noise from the power steering pump (or pulley) to indicate it's going bad. I'm thinking the rack is simply wearing out.

That's so much mileage for one rack to deal with. I would highly recommend the RS4 rack when the time comes.

whered you buy it? how much?

I bought it on the classifieds from outsider6661. It was around 500.00 for the rack. I was looking for the part #, but I can't seem to find it

Awesome, thanks guys!

You're welcome.

[thegamepimp]

So my plan is to get the 05 s4 rack from rackdoctor (which based on the part numbers above should be the same as the rs4), does anyone know the difference in the s4 tie rod end? I also noticed on ECS they have the regular tie rod ends and the s4 style, didn't know if anyone knew the difference.

[texasboy21]

Great, another mod to ad to the list..

[n7plus1]

phew...eff that. my next mod is going to be a new car. lol

[SJorge3442]

So my plan is to get the 05 s4 rack from rackdoctor (which based on the part numbers above should be the same as the rs4), does anyone know the difference in the s4 tie rod end? I also noticed on ECS they have the regular tie rod ends and the s4 style, didn't know if anyone knew the difference.

the S4 TRE's are solid metal. No rubber except for the boot.

[texasboy21]

phew...eff that. my next mod is going to be a new car. lol

Im in too deep with the B6 to sell it. Its just an expensive toy.. The real problem will be when I am out of things to do.

[customa4]

That day will come... never

[thegamepimp]

the S4 TRE's are solid metal. No rubber except for the boot.

Thanks!

I did just get off the phone with a reputable rack rebuilder who has said that he pulled the racks from s4/rs4 and obviously many A4's and the turning ratio is the same. I don't want my search for an upgrade to be a waste of money to others, but I am not sold on it being an upgrade and am going with a stock rebuild.

If someone has some facts that prove the ratio is different then I stand corrected but the part numbers are very similar across the models (I spent a fair amount of time researching)

I am sure that without the servetronics hooked up the feel would be different, but as far as ratio I'm not sold.

I could be wrong but I just didn't want to be peddling bad info.

Thanks

[gottaBdope]

^respect whether you're right or not.

[outsider6661]

Thanks!

I did just get off the phone with a reputable rack re-builder who has said that he pulled the racks from s4/rs4 and obviously many A4's and the turning ratio is the same. I don't want my search for an upgrade to be a waste of money to others, but I am not sold on it being an upgrade and am going with a stock rebuild.

If someone has some facts that prove the ratio is different then I stand corrected but the part numbers are very similar across the models (I spent a fair amount of time researching)

I am sure that without the servetronics hooked up the feel would be different, but as far as ratio I'm not sold.

I could be wrong but I just didn't want to be peddling bad info.

Thanks

Hate to inform you but your "reputable" source is mistaken. I did this mod and as well I now own a Rs4 so I can tell you for a fact that they are not the same. The servo isn't needed nor does it affect the ratio.

The RS4/S4 racks have a different ratio. I instantly felt the difference in steering feel. You feel it more with the FBSW as it is a smaller diameter then stock and with the factory A4 rack it was sloppy and you needed to over correct the wheel to compensate with the FBSW. When I swapped to the RS4 rack it was a night and day difference ,you just point the wheel in the direction you want to go as well 2 1/2 turns lock to lock.

[n7plus1]

Im in too deep with the B6 to sell it. Its just an expensive toy.. The real problem will be when I am out of things to do.

tbh...i bought a house to keep me busy and spend other money on. and heres the kicker, it actually ADDS value! haha.

[n7plus1]

Hate to inform you but your "reputable" source is mistaken. I did this mod and as well I now own a Rs4 so I can tell you for a fact that they are not the same. The servo isn't needed nor does it affect the ratio.

The RS4/S4 racks have a different ratio. I instantly felt the difference in steering feel. You feel it more with the FBSW as it is a smaller diameter then stock and with the factory A4 rack it was sloppy and you needed to over correct the wheel to compensate with the FBSW. When I swapped to the RS4 rack it was a night and day difference ,you just point the wheel in the direction you want to go as well 2 1/2 turns lock to lock.

wouldnt it be easier to get each models turning ratio from year to year? isnt this a listed spec on the car from the manufacturer?

[thegamepimp]

Hate to inform you but your "reputable" source is mistaken. I did this mod and as well I now own a Rs4 so I can tell you for a fact that they are not the same. The servo isn't needed nor does it affect the ratio..

I was saying that without the servo it would change the feel not the ratio.

The "reputable" source told me as I was searching to spend more money on an S4 or an RS4 rack that the internal gears were the same and that the ratio was the same. I would really prefer someone to dig up an actual schematic to the parts or something to that nature, I am not trying to argue, just on a quest for information so that I make an informed decision. I would think if they were different or if he was out to make money he would of just said yea, the RS4 rack is better, spend an additional $200.00.


I just ran out and checked, 2 1/2 turns lock to lock on my stock A4 USP

So I don't know... any solid information would be welcomed.

[outsider6661]

I was saying that without the servo it would change the feel not the ratio.

The "reputable" source told me as I was searching to spend more money on an S4 or an RS4 rack that the internal gears were the same and that the ratio was the same. I would really prefer someone to dig up an actual schematic to the parts or something to that nature, I am not trying to argue, just on a quest for information so that I make an informed decision. I would think if they were different or if he was out to make money he would of just said yea, the RS4 rack is better, spend an additional $200.00.


I just ran out and checked, 2 1/2 turns lock to lock on my stock A4 USP

So I don't know... any solid information would be welcomed.

I totally understand your concern, I had the same worries when I bought my rack from Dutch ebay. When I did get it I cross referenced the p# and it confirmed it was from the RS. For the life of me I couldn't find what the ratio was for the A4, the info for the RS4/S4 rack I found readily available on Audiworld resource section. There is deffinatly a difference between the 2. I know this doesn't help as an answer, seeing as you would like some hard data. I'v read that some RS4 owners remove the servo relay claiming that it improves steering response...

[outsider6661]

wouldnt it be easier to get each models turning ratio from year to year? isnt this a listed spec on the car from the manufacturer?

I couldn't find anything listed for the A4 back then, I found info only for the RS and S on Audiworld model line recourse section

Edit: 16.3:1 for the A4 http://www.audiworld.com/model/a4/03/03a4sedan.pdf

13.1:1 RS4 http://www.audiworld.com/model/rs4/0..._TechSpecs.pdf

[Timtheguru]

How about one of the modern electric power steering racks? Would be nice to delete the hydraulic system, huge weight savings as well.

[thegamepimp]

I couldn't find anything listed for the A4 back then, I found info only for the RS and S on Audiworld model line recourse section

Edit: 16.3:1 for the A4 http://www.audiworld.com/model/a4/03/03a4sedan.pdf

13.1:1 RS4 http://www.audiworld.com/model/rs4/0..._TechSpecs.pdf

Exactly what I was looking for, thank you very much.

And its confirmed that an 07 RS4 rack bolts up to my 04 A4 USP just without being able to use the servo right?

[outsider6661]

It will bolt up 100%, it's the same chassis just the RS is made in a different factory. It bolted up perfectly with my former '03 1.8t A4

[n7plus1]

there we go. youre welcome for the idea, lol

[JEENYUS]

Glad to see this was resolved.