steering play and steering column u-joint

[PGJ]

I'm hoping to find a write-up or some kind of information to help me out with this one. My 01.5 Avant (80K, picked it up used almost a year ago) has a tiny bit of play in the steering that's driving me nuts. I had the pleasure of driving B5 platform cars from brand new so whenever I hop in one I instantly notice whether the car has this steering play issue. It's very common.

Turns out the most common culprit for loose steering on B5's is play in the u-joint. Unfortunately, the u-joint is attached to the steering column, which is runs about $900 (?). Not an easy fix like a lot of BMW's or older Volvos (steering knuckle replacement) So since B5's have been around for about 15 years now I was hoping that someone may have come up with a solution that doesn't involve replacing the entire column?

some pics of what i'm talking about:



the u-joint attached to number 6 in this picture:

[Turbo Nerd]

Your best luck would be to contact audis4parts and see if they have the joint. I'm sure they have the whole steering assembly at a decent price. Or try car-part.com

[034Motorsport]

Unless there is a way to repress or attach a new u-joint, you basically need the new column. I take a glance in the junkyard at one point, but every single one I felt had some play. Interestingly enough, I inspected the joint of a car with no steering movement, and one that had steering movement, and both had more play then I liked. I'd be sure you don't have a loose rack or a worn inner tie rod end or a worn control arm before you go replacing the whole column!

But just because Audi didn't make it serviceable, doesn't mean it can't be serviced; for instance, we make a driveshaft carrier bearing since Audi does not and requires you to buy a $2000 driveshaft just to fix the bearing.

[AudiSportB5S4]

What are some symptoms of this? Is it something you can easily spot if you pull the bolster and move the wheel around?

[PGJ]

Unless there is a way to repress or attach a new u-joint, you basically need the new column. I take a glance in the junkyard at one point, but every single one I felt had some play. Interestingly enough, I inspected the joint of a car with no steering movement, and one that had steering movement, and both had more play then I liked. I'd be sure you don't have a loose rack or a worn inner tie rod end or a worn control arm before you go replacing the whole column!

But just because Audi didn't make it serviceable, doesn't mean it can't be serviced; for instance, we make a driveshaft carrier bearing since Audi does not and requires you to buy a $2000 driveshaft just to fix the bearing.

yea it's the joint. It's never easy man, I noticed the problem when I first test drove the car and was hoping I'd be able to find an easy fix for it. Just like my last B5 (A4 bought used) - the joint has play, so I guess that's that.

My parents, who are senior citizens, have had a 99 1.8T since new. It has 200K on it now and the steering feels better than my S4 w/ 80K. It's all in how the previous owner treated the car.

Maybe i'll start cruising junk yards until I find a good one. I think any B5 column will work right?

[PGJ]

What are some symptoms of this? Is it something you can easily spot if you pull the bolster and move the wheel around?

sorry man i completely missed your post. yes, you can see the play if you remove bolster and look at the joint. I've been around B5s for a decade now and I feel like I can instantly tell u-joint steering feel issue a couple of minutes into driving one - just has that sloppy disconnected feeling. It's SO common...and such an easy fix on some other makes. damn Audi...
Another good test is to move the steering wheel side to side while holding the tie rod ends. if you can move the wheel without feeling the rods move then you have play and its probably the joint.

geneally - if your suspension's in good shape and you still feel play something's up with your steering. could be the rack, but it's probably the joint. the steering in these cars felt TIGHT out of the factory.

[AudiSportB5S4]

No problem man, thanks for getting back! I'll take the bolster off and look around just for the hell of it but my steering feels pretty damn good. I'm sure there is slack along the line somewhere just from age at this point.

[Gaki]

So, related to this, my steering rack is leaking and I have access to one from a totaled S4.

What is the labor rate to install a new rack?

[AudiSportB5S4]

So, related to this, my steering rack is leaking and I have access to one from a totaled S4.

What is the labor rate to install a new rack?

A customer of mine told me he got his done on the side by an Audi tech for $350. Shop it around, it's definitely not a quick and easy thing to do so I'd imagine you'll want to source the best price.

[Gaki]

thanks for the heads up!

[U_know_me]

Has anyone found a good / inexpensive solution that is not a used column for this issue?
I am having the same issue, I have replaced everything but the rack and the U joint (needed to be done anyway) to fix the steering play issue.