What's wrong with my steering wheel? Weird click/rattle...

[IKE20VA4]

Only thing I have recently had changed is all control arms (upper & lower), tie rods (inner & outer), sway bar end links. Only thing I'll add other than that is that my steering felt like it had more resistance after I was done with all the before mentioned work. Almost like the power steering wasn't working. That has gotten better over time though.

Fly, didn't you experience something like this? I tried searching but couldn't find your thread.

[Okedokey]

I have this issue too. Interested in the outcome. BTW, how did you get colour DIS on the 2005.5?

[IKE20VA4]

I have this issue too. Interested in the outcome. BTW, how did you get colour DIS on the 2005.5?

My car was unusually pimped from the factory, I guess! It came like that to me. I'm the 2nd owner. It's got the tech package (memory seats/HID/switches for DRL & coming home) and prob other stuff?

[80sGuy]

Not getting any sound on your video.

[Okedokey]

Ok after listening to that, its not the same as mine, however it could possibly the clock spring?

[IKE20VA4]

Not getting any sound on your video.

Might have to turn up the sound way high!

[IKE20VA4]

Ok after listening to that, its not the same as mine, however it could possibly the clock spring?

Hmm, it sounds like it is coming from through the dash, not right in the steering column though... It's like a ratcheting sound almost. I'll try to take one from the outside tonight.

Happy Friday all!

[80sGuy]

Might have to turn up the sound way high!

Or try at original link? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6wBoMVtRF-Y

Nah, it's Google Chrome. I get sounds from other Youtube videos but some are problems. Worked fine on IE and FF.

[IKE20VA4]

Ok after listening to that, its not the same as mine, however it could possibly the clock spring?

Uploaded a new video to the 1st post from outside tonight. It's definitely coming from the driver side right under where the windshield wiper sits. My fiance' and I were driving to dinner tonight and she was like, "what is wrong with your car?". No bueno when the lady can pick up on it.

[fly300kts]

Your rack & pinion is shot. Been there done that and it's a PITA

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

Phil

[IKE20VA4]

Your rack & pinion is shot. Been there done that and it's a PITA

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

Phil

Nooooooooooooo. Do you happen to have a parts list from your excursion? If you say this one's a PITA, no way am I attempting that on my own. Dang it.

[fly300kts]

Just the rack as far as parts
Pain is the access to reconnect the 2 hoses banjo
Better if you have 4 hands

Phil



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[IKE20VA4]

Here's a DIY I found... http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...94-B6-B7-A4-S4

Looks like fun...yikes. Feel like I could do it, but I'm going to get a shop to quote me before I do it.

The above DIY guy bought his from: http://www.carsteering.com/addtocart...80-01423.html# For $325 with $150 core charge and free shipping. That's not too bad..

[Mister W]

Is there any bearing on the shock top mount on these cars? My Jetta would make a similar noise with bad top mount shock bearing.

[Denio24]

Here's a DIY I found... http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...94-B6-B7-A4-S4

Looks like fun...yikes. Feel like I could do it, but I'm going to get a shop to quote me before I do it.

The above DIY guy bought his from: http://www.carsteering.com/addtocart...80-01423.html# For $325 with $150 core charge and free shipping. That's not too bad..

If you do that DIY, I highly recommend just dropping the strut tower (3 bolts) instead of dealing with the pinch bolt and control arms. You will also have to disconnect the lower strut mounting bolt so it can move easier. I replaced the rack on a b6 and used rackdoctor. Took me about 2 1/2 hours with fluid fill & bleed.

[IKE20VA4]

Is there any bearing on the shock top mount on these cars? My Jetta would make a similar noise with bad top mount shock bearing.

Hmm, not sure what that is, but our's look pretty close to this:

[IKE20VA4]

If you do that DIY, I highly recommend just dropping the strut tower (3 bolts) instead of dealing with the pinch bolt and control arms. You will also have to disconnect the lower strut mounting bolt so it can move easier. I replaced the rack on a b6 and used rackdoctor. Took me about 2 1/2 hours with fluid fill & bleed.

How is the draining and filling/bleeding in terms of ease and mess?

I guess trying to visualize this and I feel like you'd have still have remove the pinch bolts? I guess once the tie rod was disconnected, it would all just swing away together. I'll keep that in mind.



Also, maybe you didn't have this option as an '08, but on rackdoctor, there are 2 options for my 2005.5. One "with servotronic" and one "without servotronic". They are definitely different in the pictures. I thought all B7's had servotronic? I do like that they have a lifetime warranty.

[Denio24]

Check the PR tag where the spare is in the wheel well. If you have the option code 1N3 listed on that sheet then you have servotronic. There is also a relay that you can see behind the fuse panel cover; if you have the relay "640" then you have servotronic.

As far as draining goes, remove the belly pan and drain the fluid via the power steering cooler. Both hoses connected are for the return line from the power steering unit. One of them goes from the rack, and the other to the reservoir.

rack & pinion ------> power steering return line ------> power steering cooler ------> power steering return line ------> reservoir ------> power steering supply line ------> power steering pump ------> supply line ------> rack & pinion..

One of the lines that is connected to the power steering cooler pipe goes directly to the rack, you can try to draw a vacuum & pull more fluid out, or you can more the steering wheel from lock to lock and that will push more fluid out. In terms of mess, just have a rag or two where the power steering lines connect to the rack and pinion. If you follow the above method, barely any fluid comes out when you disconnect the banjo bolts.

Once you have the rack in through the access hole (it greatly helps to have two people putting it back in), secure the rack on ONLY the bolt which is on the passenger side. This will allow the rack to swing back and forth and pivot. Basically what you want to do is move the rack on the drivers side towards the front of the car. This will allow you to tighten the banjo bolts WITH EASE, by method of some sockets and extensions. That way you can be sure to apply the proper torque and have no leaks later on. Once that is done, swing the rack back into place and secure it with the other two bolts.

Once everything is installed & lines are reconnected, top off the fluid to max mark. Start the car for no more than two seconds from the point of cranking, and keep topping off the fluid until it no longer goes down. With the car off, move the wheels from lock to lock 10 times. Check fluid level. Start the car, and move the wheels from lock to lock 10 times again. You're Done! This whole repair & bleeding procedure is done with the front wheels in the air.

Super easy and you'll feel more confident working on your vehicle if you plan on doing this yourself. Scale of difficulty, 4/10. I'd say the hardest part is getting the rack in; I did it by myself, but I recommend someone on the other side of the car to guide it in place.

[IKE20VA4]

Check the PR tag where the spare is in the wheel well. If you have the option code 1N3 listed on that sheet then you have servotronic. There is also a relay that you can see behind the fuse panel cover; if you have the relay "640" then you have servotronic.

Oh yeah, I have the 1N3 option code. Thanks for that tip!

Looks like this is my ticket: http://shop.rackdoctor.net/2005-Mode...8995-26552.htm

[IKE20VA4]

Denio, thanks for the tips. I'm sure I can do it. I've done timing belt, water pump, thermostat, control arms and tie rod ends. Only thing I haven't touched are the brakes.. Just was intimidated after fly's frustration with it.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[IKE20VA4]

Part ordered from rack Doctor. Let the fun begin. Any special tools I might need?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[fly300kts]

Part ordered from rack Doctor. Let the fun begin. Any special tools I might need?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Nah, just patience

Phil

[IKE20VA4]

Nah, just patience

Phil

LOL perfect- do you have a place you recommend picking that up at?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[fly300kts]

Yes, order some at www.bepatientandtakeyourtime.com

Phil

[IKE20VA4]

Is all PSF (power steering fluid) created equal? Or do we need OOOO specific?

[fly300kts]

Is all PSF (power steering fluid) created equal? Or do we need OOOO specific?

Use ONLY OEM, especially for this one.
If you don't and your rack fail, they will be capable to check if the OEM fluid was used and deny the warranty if not

Phil

[IKE20VA4]

Use ONLY OEM, especially for this one.
If you don't and your rack fail, they will be capable to check if the OEM fluid was used and deny the warranty if not

Phil

Good point. How many liters will I need? Thanks Phil!

The Pentosin CHF 202 looks to meet Audi/VW Spec.

http://www.pentosin.net/specsheets/Pentosin_CHF_202.pdf

[fly300kts]

You should be fine with 1 liter

Phil

[IKE20VA4]

Just got the new rack put in yesterday!

[80sGuy]

This sounds more like internal than mechanical, meaning something loose or cracked by the steering underneath the dash area.

[fly300kts]

Just got the new rack put in yesterday! Still makes a weird sound and steering isn't as tight as I feel it should be. I still get a knocking noise as well. Video below.

https://youtu.be/qWXjWSHMrjk

Definitively not normal
Remove the plastic under the dash to see if the noise comes from the swivel

Phil

[IKE20VA4]

Definitively not normal
Remove the plastic under the dash to see if the noise comes from the swivel

Phil

Yeah I will try that tonight... do I have to replace the whole column if that seems to be the issue?

Other than that, steering feels like new. Bittersweet...

[fly300kts]

Yeah I will try that tonight... do I have to replace the whole column if that seems to be the issue?

Other than that, steering feels like new. Bittersweet...

I am afraid yes but I never seen one failed, just loose

Phil

[IKE20VA4]

Anyone have a parts breakdown on the column? Trying to figure out where it might be loose other than the knuckle.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Denio24]

Is the u-joint where the column attaches to the steering gear pinion tight? If that allen bolt is not tight the steering wheel will rock back and forth making a noise.

Sent from my SM-G920P using Tapatalk

[IKE20VA4]

Still haven't had time to check it out yet. That's my first stop to check though. Thanks!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[IKE20VA4]

Well I really don't think it is that joint after poking around at it tonight. The joint seems pretty tight. The noise seems more like it is coming from the rack itself.

[fly300kts]

Tough to see with a flashing video but you might have a bad rack
Did you bleed the system correctly? When you open the reservoir, with engine on, fluid level does not go below MIN?

Phil

[IKE20VA4]

Tough to see with a flashing video but you might have a bad rack
Did you bleed the system correctly? When you open the reservoir, with engine on, fluid level does not go below MIN?

Phil

Wow...youtube fail there.

I actually had a shop do the install. So I assume they would know how to bleed it correctly. I haven't check the reservoir when engine on, only engine off and it is slightly above max. Car does have weird RPM dependent noise since I got it back from the shop though. No idea what it is though.

Trying video again.

[Ringsby4]

Wow...youtube fail there.

I actually had a shop do the install. So I assume they would know how to bleed it correctly. I haven't check the reservoir when engine on, only engine off and it is slightly above max. Car does have weird RPM dependent noise since I got it back from the shop though. No idea what it is though.

Trying video again.

Don't assume for one minute that the shop did the job properly,just read here on the bullshit that go's on...
I wish you all the best with resolving this and I have learned a bit from this thread about my specific steering rack.
I'm an advocate of frequent fluid changes of....absolutely everything in our cars ! including of course,pwr steering fluid...
It's everything in terms of longetivity.
Burnt fluid just isn't up to the job and fluid replacement is way way cheaper than repair.