13 s4 steering rack solution suggestions

[SeniorCypress80]

I have a 13 s4 that is has the " notchy " steering while cold and drifting feel on anything but perfect roads. I know this is common with this 13. My question is what is the best route to go? I plan to track the car and its really not bad but don't know if I have to be worried about it completely going out. I see a couple old forum posts mentioning everything from a TSB update to X brace for potential fixes and course replacing. Should I contact the dealer (recall/TSB) or just bite the bullet and buy a extra to have ready? If i decide to buy a replacement what year am I looking for to make sure I don't buy another with the same issue?


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[92cpe]

Not sure if you have warranty /cpo left but i think a new rack is over 1500 for the parts. Some people have had the whole rack replaced others have just the intermediate shaft done. For me my dealer keeps saying its normal and with suspension uogrades/coilovers and other items i know they will blame it on that as well. From what ive seen 13 isnt the only year with this, my 14 does it in cooler weather. From what ive seen 16 is the only year not to have reported this but i could be wrong.

For now what ive done to lessen it and make it less frequent;

Use individual mode with steering set to auto.

Disable dsr in vag com

Use the steering reset method when its acting up

With the car parked

Full right turn lock for 3 secs
Full left turn for 3 secs

Shut off car. Start back up

If my dealer continues to refuses me a new rack or intermediate shaft i may try to find a complete assembly from a 16

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[SeniorCypress80]

I’m 3rd owner 70k. Unless it’s a recall I don’t see dealer helping me much. I’ll try the things you suggested and hope for the best. I also had someone suggested the canyon run cr-15 brace. Doesn’t solve it but reduces is what I’m hearing. I also have a 034 X brace along with what you suggested hopefully it’s will lessen.


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[wangshuo1989]

I disabled DSR and it is getting worse. With DSR there’s dead spots in the steering feel, and with DSR disabled it becomes notchy.

[redboywonder]

I had the same issue recently on my 14’. I have CPO but the dealer tried to cheap out and first replaced the “steering shaft”- at least that’s what they told me. It reduced the notchiness however I wasn’t comfortable with it still. I went back and they finally replaced the rack and now it feels good as new. I don’t know if there’s a difference in years for the rack but I would definitely recommend replacing the rack.

[SeniorCypress80]

I had the same issue recently on my 14’. I have CPO but the dealer tried to cheap out and first replaced the “steering shaft”- at least that’s what they told me. It reduced the notchiness however I wasn’t comfortable with it still. I went back and they finally replaced the rack and now it feels good as new. I don’t know if there’s a difference in years for the rack but I would definitely recommend replacing the rack.

The problem is replace it with what? If I put a new one in I want to know it’s going to fix it and not have the same issue. I’m 3rd owner 70k so I’ll be paying out of pocket and doing all the labor myself.


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[92cpe]

Id like to know as well. Seems there are different part numbers for the steering racks although they are all listed as for 2013-16 models. Do we know which part numbers came from the factory and when. Its obvious audi made some updates over that 3 year span, just wondering if the replacement includes that latest revision and if possibly 2016's came from the factory with it

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[stoked_S4]

I have a 10/2013 build 2014 and this is the first winter I have not felt it at all. Didn't even think about it until I saw one of these threads again. I had DSR disabled few years back and it help a lot. I get alignment done every 6 months or so(unlimited Firestone plan) Last year installed Alu Kreuz and CR15 and I think all of these helped together. Mine's set to dynamic pretty much the most of the time unless I am driving 8-12 hours long distance and then set it to individual to save gas but those drives are in warmer weather.

[isles1]

I’ve owned my ‘13 since new and the first time I’ve noticed this notchy steering is intermittently over the last few weeks. Sometimes it’s there, and if it is, it does not go away until I shut the car off and turn it back on.

I had the DSR disabled via Carista beta, but a lot of my modifications were “cleared “ when the car went in to dealer for a new water pump in early February of this year. Perhaps this is related to the DSR setting.

The car is going back to the dealer this week anyway, so any tips in describing this notchy steering or a TSB I should reference? I plan to switch to another dealer after this visit (since they can’t get much right the first time), so if they don’t help I’ll try elsewhere.