power sterring problem possibly...

[b7a4GT30]

hey guys,

so i was driving my gf's 04 a4 1.8t quattro yesterday and right from the cold startup there was an excessive whining noise. As the car warmed up it seemed to get a bit quiter but was still present. When you turn the noise gets louder than when the steering wheel is straight. The steering wheel doesnt seem to feel any different but i think it could be the pump.

any ideas?

[alpinestar180]

most likely a bad ps pump. if you hit the gas, with the steering at full lock you can damage the pump. people do this all the time and mess it up

[b7a4GT30]

im gonna check the fluid level and if its good, il replace the pump. Is there a diy for the 1.8? I searched and only found one for the 3.0!

[alpinestar180]

http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...a-B6-DIY-or-no

maybe this will help?

[ggcrash]

Could be your pressure line (goes into the rack, by the firewall) also there has been more than a few power steering racks going lately...check the lines, by the pump AND by the rack first. (power steering pressure line $85.00..pump about $400.00...rack about $250-$600.00, depending on OEM vs. remanufactured...parts only, still have to pay for labor)

[b7a4GT30]

so i checked the fluid level yesterday and there is barely any fluid in the resevoir (just enough that it covers the filter). I ordered the fluid so im wondering if thats the culprit? Also how much fluid do i put, does it have to be on the max line or min line at a cold start?

[cdn20valve]

Check if your leaking, you probably are, throw some stop leak in there.

[PDX04a4]

welcome to the wonderful world of leaking audi power steering racks. the line ends about a million people back. check the passenger and driver side wheel wells, look at the boots, they are probably covered in power steering fluid.

[b7a4GT30]

where would the boots be? Are you refferng to the control arm boots (bushings)?

[cdn20valve]

No the rack. Like I said, 99% your rack is leaking. Your lucky it's early on, you may be able to save over a thousand dollars like I did, and use some Lucas power steering stop leak.

[b7a4GT30]

so i checked and their are no leaks. I also re checked the level of the power steering fluid and the car hasnt been started in 2 days and its actually right below the min line of the dipstick. Is it supposed to be at the max line on a cold start or does it sound normal that its right bwlow the min line?

Also since the fluid isnt leaking any other ideas as to whats wrong with the car?

[black97]

It's leaking but into one or both of the boots and not on to the floor yet, poke a hole in the boot with a pin to find your missing fluid, and get some Lucas power stearing stop leak as mentioned above.

[b7a4GT30]

It's leaking but into one or both of the boots and not on to the floor yet, poke a hole in the boot with a pin to find your missing fluid, and get some Lucas power stearing stop leak as mentioned above.

ok i will look into the lucas power steering stop leak. I just have a few questions. Where are the boots that you keep mentioning? (i must be looking at the wrong boots since i didnt see any fluid on what i thought was the steering rack boots.) Also what do i do with the lucas power steering stop leak? Just pour it into the power steering fluid resovoir? Or should i mix it in with the power steering fluid that i bought from audi and then add?

[cdn20valve]

You put the fluid in the reservoir. Please don't pole holes in anything, in case you poke holes in the wrong thing.


Here is a pic of a steering rack boot.

[Outerfroggy1]

NEVER EVER EVER "poke" holes in rubber boots with anything, the boots are there for a reason. I don't know about u guys but where I live as soon as something sensitive is open to atmosphere it will corrode/rust within weeks or even days. Even from something as small as a pinhole.

Same goes for people who poke test light probes thru wires! Drives me nuts!

[b7a4GT30]

how much fluid should i put in the resovoir as shouldnt it technically be all power steering fluid? Also, where should the level of fluid sit according to the dipstick on a cold start? At the min line or the max line?

thanks for all the input you guys have a crapload of knowledge.

[traishand]

im having the same problem, i have seen fluid leaking from the rack. i bought some power steering fluid w/ stop leak (prestone) should this solve my problem?

[ggcrash]

Check the spot below the number 7, this is a common leak area (pressure hose) if you include the rack, that leaks too.... (note-you can only see that spot from below the car)

This diagram is for a 2004 1.8...

[PwAg]

Don't jump to conclusions too quickly that it is your rack. Faulty pressure hose is increasingly common in the higher mileage cars. Just replaced mine @ 93k.

Using above schematic, looking from topside, you'll see pressure hose (7) run from front right side of engine out of ps pump (1) directly back to firewall. It will look like it has generous slack. Run your hand along the bottom of both ends of that hose from it's connection ends @ pump and firewall entry. You'll feel it soaked with ps fluid if leaking.

Don't use Lucas stop leak until you have confirmed it's not the hose or pump. Don't let this drag on. If it is in fact the rack and leak still minimal, good chance Lucas stop leak can help you out.

If this does not rectify problem, try and find a reputable local shop to rebuild rack seals. Will be just as good or better than new OEM. Rack and cv axles are most ideal parts on this car to have re-hauled back to spec.

Good luck.

[traishand]

anybody have a DIY guide to flushing the power steering fluid on a b6 1.8t?

[b7a4GT30]

thanks for all the info i will check on thrusday or friday and report back. I just have a simple question, How do i add the lucas power steering stop leak? Do i flush the power steering fluid completely out and just add some lucas power stop leak to the resevoir? Or do i mix the lucas power stop leak with the ps fluid and then add? Also on a cold start, is the power steering fluid level supposed to sit at the min or max line?

[b7a4GT30]

thanks for all the info i will check on thrusday or friday and report back. I just have a simple question, How do i add the lucas power steering stop leak? Do i flush the power steering fluid completely out and just add some lucas power stop leak to the resevoir? Or do i mix the lucas power stop leak with the ps fluid and then add? Also on a cold start, is the power steering fluid level supposed to sit at the min or max line?

bump!??

[cdn20valve]

Fill up to the max line with stop leak. That is all you need to do. Don't flush anything.

[ggcrash]

I'm really not too sure about that stuff...You can try it, however you are probably just putting off the inevitable...FIX the issue, before you screw something else up like your power steering pump, or your rack with that stuff...I'm not trying to be critical, but that's how $100.00 fixes turn into $1000.00 fixes.

[b7a4GT30]

i wil check the hose lines to see if their are any leaks. If not, dont these cars loose a little fluid now and then espeically the older they get? Also if i cant find any leaks i will just top it off with ps fluid.

[mjfrizz]

I thought about the lucas ps leak stuff, but my pass boot was absolutely soaking, and I was adding an ounce or two of fluid every week or so...and like other said, you may not see it all the time, but if you turn the wheel lock to lock, any fluid that is collecting inside of the boot may then spew out. Reman racks are somewhat cheap, virtually just as good as a brand new one, and you can get an indy euro shop to put in for you if you don't want to tackle it yourself. ECS used to sell them, and I got my reman from them awhile ago for 520 (not including core deposit). They can be found even cheaper, just double-check you are getting the right one.

[applelover2050]

http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...a-B6-DIY-or-no

maybe this will help?

Thanks for the link

[michgo]

subscribed for diy day

[Crekuc]

Audi's TSB on these cars state: If you live in cold weather climate areas, you should fill the p/s fluid 10mm above the max line.

[b7a4GT30]

i filled the PS resevoir up with some audi ps fluid (on a cold start it sits in between the min and max), although im at school in a cold climate area when im home its warm so i think the level is good. I also checked the lines and everything appears to be dry so i topped it off, and the noise went away!

[tapA4]

I'm gonna add my issues to this thread..(not trying to thread jack lol). But my PS was acting funny a few weeks ago, I checked it and the cap to my PS reservoir was completely unscrewed (idk how it happened)..anyway, I added some fluid and the odd sound went away. Now today I noticed the humming noise back again, I checked my PS fluid and it was completely low. I filled it up again today after I got home from class. Should I throw in some stop leak?

[RecklessTuning]

I hope you all have check your secondary air injection because these are known to wine on cold startup when they are going bad and stop once the car is warm...

[tapA4]

I hope you all have check your secondary air injection because these are known to wine on cold startup when they are going bad and stop once the car is warm...

Yeah, I've checked mine, I'm pretty sure mine is going bad...I've got code p0411 secondary air injection incorrect flow. I've determined it's either my SAI or my combi valve.

[ThreePointOhh]

if you hear your power steering pump whining it's almost 100% of the time low on fluid. top it off then drive for a few days. if the whine returns and the fluid is low again you have a leak.