A4 Steering Rack Questions

[Gberg888]

Hey guys and gals,

1) Is there a difference between an A4 steering rack and an S4 steering rack?

2) If a rack is leaking where are the typical points for it to leak from?

3) What are the symptoms of a rack gone bad?

My rack is eating through steering fluid. I have to fill it every 2 days or so. The entire bulkhead above where my downpipe goes is covered in liquid that looks to be the color (dark green) of the power steering fluid. Is that a typical place for it to leak from?

[DenverA4]

The symptoms are often nothing except what you describe - a very bad leak. The rack is mechanically fine but the seals go. Just make sure it isn't a line or connection first. Your leak sounds too bad to use the sealer stuff because that stuff works miracles.

[Gberg888]

Is it worth it to upgrade to a s4 rack? Any benefit?

[jaydeff]

An S4 rack has a tighter steering ratio and an RS4 one has a ratio even tighter than the S4. My rack is on its way out and I'm definitely gonna pick up an RS4 one when it dies. evo_ski put an RS4 rack in his avant and he wrote a little about it in his build thread.

[SlickFix]

I'll just leave this here for when you're ready to order. Great place to work with. Many folks on here have used them.

After you've confirmed that it isn't one of your power steering lines that is leaking, look at the rubber boots at the ends of the steering rack. There will probably be fluid leaking out of one or both sides. Also, check to make sure the banjo bolts on the driver's side of the rack are not loose.

[manhertm]

An S4 rack has a tighter steering ratio and an RS4 one has a ratio even tighter than the S4. My rack is on its way out and I'm definitely gonna pick up an RS4 one when it dies. evo_ski put an RS4 rack in his avant and he wrote a little about it in his build thread.

I thought the S4/RS4 racks had Servotronic or something like that which requires something else to install on an A4?

[SlickFix]

I thought the S4/RS4 racks had Servotronic or something like that which requires something else to install on an A4?

That's correct, The guys who install them into their A4s don't get the benefit from the servotronic, but they do get the better steering ratio. Some of the S4 guys actually disconnect the servotronic because they like the feel better.

[imnuts]

With the servotronic racks, you just leave the cable unplugged for the servotronic part and cover up the plug end to keep it relatively clean. You don't get the lighter steering feel, but you do still get the tighter ratio.