Steering Sport vs. Non-sport??

[Rons01B5]

Is there any difference in steering assist between the sport suspension models and non sport. Is the non sport have lighter steering or are they both the same?

[b6onboost]

It's the same to my knowledge.

[DuviVr6]

I thought only change was shocks and springs amd swaybars

[velocipedio]

I thought only change was shocks and springs amd swaybars

Sport also has a strut-tower bar.

[diagnosticator]

If the comparison is between sport and non sport, both without Servotronic speed dependant variable steering assist, then there is no difference in the steering assist.
S4s have Servotronic FWIW.

[demea]

Sport also has a strut-tower bar.

Really? For the front struts or rear?

[NyteEscape]

Really? For the front struts or rear?

i know for sure there is a front bar. it is actually vertically oriented against the firewall. look on the motor side of the firewall...

[02SILVANT]

I think if your car came with Sport suspension it might be a little different. Like my steering wheel isnt loose its pretty tight to turn.

Can anyone confirm for sure whether its different or not?

[demea]

i know for sure there is a front bar. it is actually vertically oriented against the firewall. look on the motor side of the firewall...

Oh, I was thinking the strut tower to strut tower kind. I was like, WTF?

[velocipedio]

Really? For the front struts or rear?

Front, by the firewall.

Sport suspension had 30% stiffer shocks and springs, larger anti-roll bars, and a strut-tower bar. It's a real sport suspension, and I have no idea why people are so quick to want to replace it.

[NyteEscape]

Sport suspension had 30% stiffer shocks and springs, larger anti-roll bars, and a strut-tower bar. It's a real sport suspension, and I have no idea why people are so quick to want to replace it.

because it's fun......

[diagnosticator]

Oh, I was thinking the strut tower to strut tower kind. I was like, WTF?

It is a tower to tower brace, it is located in the plenum behind the firewall, and spans the width of the distance between the left and right suspension towers.

[diagnosticator]

I think if your car came with Sport suspension it might be a little different. Like my steering wheel isnt loose its pretty tight to turn.

Can anyone confirm for sure whether its different or not?

With the exception of Servotronic equiped models, there is no difference between the OE non sport and OE sport steering assist factors employed. The steering rack has a free play adjustment that effects how much slack there is in the steering, and also effects how stiff the feel of the steering is, each car will be slightly differnent.

[ThatGuyAlex]

With the exception of Servotronic equiped models, there is no difference between the OE non sport and OE sport steering assist factors employed. The steering rack has a free play adjustment that effects how much slack there is in the steering, and also effects how stiff the feel of the steering is, each car will be slightly differnent.

how can you adjust that? I would tighten mine up!

[diagnosticator]

how can you adjust that? I would tighten mine up!

Located on the steering rack near the steering input shaft is an adjustment screw with a lock nut. To adjust the free play, loosen the locknut and turn the adjustment screw clockwise to tighten the free play between the steering pinion and the rack gear teeth. It doesn't take much to change the free play, maybe 1/8 turn more or less, depending on the wear in the rack and how much free play exists. If it' tightened to much the steering will bind up toward the ends of the rack travel, in that case loosen the adjustment slightly until the steering feels right.

From Bentley:
"
Power steering gear, adjusting

• Two technicians are required when adjusting. Adjust with engine switched off.

• Raise vehicle on hoist.

• Wheels in straight-ahead position.

• By turning the steering wheel back and forth (about 30 ° from center axis) a knocking noise will be heard if there is excessive play.

• The second mechanic must carefully screw the adjustment screw - arrow - until knocking noise can no longer be heard inside the vehicle.

• Carry out a road test.

• Ensure that when maneuvering or negotiating corners the steering self-centers without sticking, re-adjust if necessary.

[B6Lovin]

^good info to know! rep for you john.

good to see you posting more again, i was worried that you'd left us for awhile there.

[IVRINGS]

Now is this going to be hard to get into that area to adjust it?

[IVRINGS]

Now is this going to be hard to get into that area to adjust it?

How hard is it to get into the area to adjust this. Looking into doing this today, but it is like 18 degs outside. The garage is warmer, but the ground is kinda wet still from the wifey take the car out the last two days. Thanks guys.

[Elliott]

Adjusting the steering box can be fairly hazardous to the internals. If you are having sloppy steering you might want to check other items first (tie rods, control arms, etc).

[diagnosticator]

The adjustment is a screw and a locknut. Tighten the screw and test drive. If it's too tight, the steering wont self center when you let go of the steering wheel while rolling about 10 mph. If that is the case, loosen the adjustment a little until the steering centers itself. The power assist is the same between sport and non sport.

[IVRINGS]

Adjusting the steering box can be fairly hazardous to the internals. If you are having sloppy steering you might want to check other items first (tie rods, control arms, etc).

I have checked everything when I had the alinement done on it first thing, but still was a little loose for me, but after trying another A4 of a friends and found it was tighter. I do have an extra set of Tie Rods from a friends Control Arm we did a few weeks ago. I just have that play that bugs me. Nothing else on the car feels loose or pops or anything.

[dackler]

The adjustment screw(arrow) shown in this picture:


Is that the same as the one in the center of this picture?

Sorry about the quality, the blur bus was picking someone up across the street and I must have gotten some interference.

When I remove the rubber plug from the middle of this nut (not sure that its the right term for this fastener) there is no screw to adjust rack play behind it.
Am I looking in the wrong area?
**I removed the "nut" and all that was behind it was a spring that seemed to be putting pressure on a plate with a ball/check-valve/plunger looking-thing in the middle of it (which was visible when removing the rubber nipple inside the nut). Upon replacing the "nut" and driving the car, I notice the steering was responding in the same fashion as described above when the adjustment was too much (steering wouldn't return to center on its own).
I have concluded that this threaded cap is the steering rack play adjustment. Im going to readjust it and see if the steering functions like it should and returns to center more easily.

Hope this post helps someone else in the future with the same issues.