Power Steering Issue

[b_a_2]

Hi All,

I've owned my 2003 A4 for about 2 years now, and the power steering system has been giving me issues ever since. Ever since I first got the car in May 2016, I noticed a high pitched screeching noise coming from the front of the car any time I would turn the steering wheel all the way to the end. It was nothing significant, and I thought nothing of it, so I just dealt with it. Proceed to around January of 2017, one day I got back from work, got off the train and got in my car. I turned it on and I heard one of the most intimidating whining noises coming from the front end. It would get worse as I would hit the gas and turn the wheel.

I took it to Audi and they told me the rack and pinion needed to be replaced. They charged me $800 for the diagnosis and wanted $4000 to replace the faulty rack. I told them to f off and I took it to a small mechanic near them who replaced it with a rebuilt rack for $900. The thing drove nice and smoothly for the rest of the year, only until around December 2017 again when I started getting the same noise any time the wheel would turn. Even when it's standing still, you still hear some noise when you listen carefully. Turn the wheel a bit and everyone within a one mile radius looks at you like you're hiding a demon under the hood.

I took it back again, and the mechanic told me the rack was bad again and he replaced it again free under warranty. Probably 25 miles later, it came back again. I took it back, and this time he claimed that the pump was bad. He replaced it for $500 and it was good for another 15 miles. Same problem again.

I took it back one last time, and out of kindness he did whatever he could for me at no cost. But the issue still persists and the noise is still there. He even replaced both the rack and the pump again for me for no cost. Still nothing.

I'ts obvious that this is a simple air leakage, because the reservoir is extremely bubbly when you open it after driving for a few miles. There is one clamp just in front of the engine that apparently causes problems for a lot of people. I replaced the clamp and made it as tight as possible, and it seems to have fixed the noise by a significant amount - but it's still there.

I don't want to have to take this to Audi to have to lose an arm and a leg over a stupid clamp, so if anybody here knows of anything I can do to try and fix it before I ultimately have to take it to them, I would greatly appreciate it.

Thank you!

[Sesameopen]

I've also had the same problem but it's been worsening these past few years especially when it gets cold (below 10 Fahrenheit). I also have a leak, evident by the green PS fluid on my driveway, but for me I just top off the power steering fluid whenever I start to hearing the whining noise. I've done the timing belt change and at the same time replaced basically everything else in there including the PS pump and while it was good for a couple hundred miles, the whining noise is back. Honestly for me, it's a beater car at this point. But I'm still interested if you ever get the problem fixed.

Good luck!

[old guy]

Try some Lucas Power Steering Stop Leak and Conditioner. You have nothing to lose. I typically don't advocate additives but there are some that just plain work. This is one of them. I change my power steering fluid every four years and always add a little Lucas with the new fluid.

[b_a_2]

Try some Lucas Power Steering Stop Leak and Conditioner. You have nothing to lose. I typically don't advocate additives but there are some that just plain work. This is one of them. I change my power steering fluid every four years and always add a little Lucas with the new fluid.

Just ordered a bottle on Amazon, I will definitely update if it works. And yes I really have nothing to lose at this point haha.

[madone_si]

are you sure you car has not had a front end hit and the alignment of rack is off and thus putting stress on whatever one is installed?

I do agree with old_guy on trying a stop leak and conditioner, but it the rack is not on right or something is out of alignment and putting stress on rack, this would make sense your going through racks quickly.

Not sure how you would check this but worth looking into check no previous accidents.

[b_a_2]

are you sure you car has not had a front end hit and the alignment of rack is off and thus putting stress on whatever one is installed?

I do agree with old_guy on trying a stop leak and conditioner, but it the rack is not on right or something is out of alignment and putting stress on rack, this would make sense your going through racks quickly.

Not sure how you would check this but worth looking into check no previous accidents.

I got a Carfax report when I purchased it, no accidents and he was the only owner. It only had 37,500 miles (now up to 42,000). It's really just been sitting around for 15 years and allowed to rot I guess.

[deyrag]

Are you sure the level is correct? Should be to the M in max not the line. There was a TSB about it. if it's too low it will suck in air.
Do you have the correct fluid in there? Should be Pentosin CHS-11 or OEM Audi/VW fluid.

If you hear a loud screeching noise when you turn the wheel all the way it is because you are killing your system by holding it against the stop and forcing fluid through the relief valve. not good to do.

[b_a_2]

Are you sure the level is correct? Should be to the M in max not the line. There was a TSB about it. if it's too low it will suck in air.
Do you have the correct fluid in there? Should be Pentosin CHS-11 or OEM Audi/VW fluid.

If you hear a loud screeching noise when you turn the wheel all the way it is because you are killing your system by holding it against the stop and forcing fluid through the relief valve. not good to do.

Yup, I saw that post on here and I have tried it. Still get the same noise.

[Kevin C]

Multiple racks and a new pump I'm going with its something else. :) I would like at the lines. A torn inner liner on a rubber hose or a crimp in the hard line could starve the suction side of the pump or create back pressure on the racks or the pumps outlet. Look at the lines.

[b_a_2]

Alright so I got my Luvas PS Leak Stop, and I went to add some in.
I opened up my reservoir and noticed that it was already right at the M in MAX. I still proceeded to add some of the Lucas in, and used about half of the 12 oz bottle. I started the car up and started spinning the wheel around several times. After just a few turns, the sound was miraculously completely gone and turning the wheel was easy again - something I haven't felt or heard in months. I was so excited that I decided to take it for a spin, only for the noise to start creeping back up. By the time I got back home, it was just as bad as it was before. I'm tempted to maybe add some more, but how should I go about removing some of the existing fluid to make sure I don't overfill it?

[old guy]

Easy peasy:

[shurur9]

I replace two pumps and worm gear clamped the suction hose line.

It turned out to be my rack leaking.

I replaced rack with B7 rack, replaced pump and suction line..oteiker clamped all.
silicon taped all hoses connected to the reservoir....oteiker clamped them..

put an additional filter going into reservoir and lastly ...

-----I run the reservoir level a good inch above the max line...and...

I run amsoil PS fluid

I never had any luck with Lucas...

[b_a_2]

Try some Lucas Power Steering Stop Leak and Conditioner. You have nothing to lose. I typically don't advocate additives but there are some that just plain work. This is one of them. I change my power steering fluid every four years and always add a little Lucas with the new fluid.

I must say that the Lucas Power steering stop leak is a miracle in a bottle. I drained out most of my existing fluid and filled it with about 2 bottles of Lucas, and the noise is completely gone! Drove it for 75 miles and it's still dead silent. Thank you, old guy, for the suggestion. That stuff has really saved me a pretty penny!