Noise when turning steering wheel

asriel

Active Member
Feb 10, 2009
15
0
Antrim, NI
Noticed for the first time tonight a high pitch whine sound when turning the steering wheel. Can or has anyone else heard it from theirs or is there something I need to look at.
Cheers
 

M7R

Nerd...
Mar 27, 2008
327
2
Nottingjam
What engine is it? As the 170 tdi has electro hydraulic power steering, the others at normal power steering, but for all check the fluid level as the audis are prone for the rack failing and allowing the fluid to leak out (steering got any heavier??)
 

Legohead

Full Member
Feb 11, 2006
124
0
Hertfordshire
My rack failed and this manifested itself with a slight vibration and noise when steering. Fluid level was low and needed frequent topping up. I felt around the rack and found hydraulic fluid on the near side at the rear. Good news is dealers replaced it under warranty.
 

M7R

Nerd...
Mar 27, 2008
327
2
Nottingjam
My old B7 A4 went, the first signs were viabrations when getting close too and on full lock, my b6 started to do the same not to long ago, however the issue of the viabrations is caused by the pulley on the alternator which has a bearing and a slipper clutch arrangement to help smooth out viations in the belt speed due to sudden increased electral load, and the general pulsing of a diesel on tick over seizing, this then causes the power steering pump to pulse when under a lot of load around full lock which can damage the rack seal, so if your alternator belt is juddering more at idle and the tensioner is jumping around abit look at getting the alternator pulley changed, the parts £50 and its at most a hours labor to whip the alternator off, use a puller to take the pulley off and then rebuild it, my indi I use for jobs I cba to do like clutch changes etc charged me £100 all in inc vat, since then touch wood it's been fine, I also try and keep off full lock if I can too to reduce stress on the rack,

And 3 years ago a new rack was £550 on trade! And you could only get OE racks
 
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asriel

Active Member
Feb 10, 2009
15
0
Antrim, NI
Have had a chance to check fluid level which is at minimum level. Will top up and see if that helps. Never really checked it before :redface: so don't know if it has dropped.

The steering weight doesn't feel any different, what is the easiest way to check the steering rack?

Thanks for your help.
 

AnthonyDi

Active Member
Sep 21, 2009
67
0
I thought it was normal mines made a noise since new, I'd say steering was somewhat heavy but put that down to it being a heavier car, over a Leon, it's 140 model.
Perhaps I should ask the dealer too.
 

asriel

Active Member
Feb 10, 2009
15
0
Antrim, NI
As I am going to top up my fluid level, my local motor store has Comma CHF 11S in stock.
Can anyone confirm this is ok to use before I do any damage. It does state on the bottle to be compatible with the VW/Audi G002 000.
 

M7R

Nerd...
Mar 27, 2008
327
2
Nottingjam
I only ever use genuine fluids, far easier and 100% compatable,

Easy way to see if the rack is leaking is to have a feel around the rack gators
 

asriel

Active Member
Feb 10, 2009
15
0
Antrim, NI
Ended up going to TPS for the fluid, they gave me stuff called G004000M2. On the docket it is classed as a superceded code. Must be a replacement for the G002000 stuff.
Think I may have to get my ears tested, haven't heard the noise since I my original post.

Thanks for all replies.
 

fletcherj243

Guest
mine done the same thing, i turned the steering clockwise full lock and there is a mother of a leak somewhere behind my passanger side wheel, on and around the bar with the riddged plastic cover on it. Im geussing this is the steering rack? does anyone have any idea how much this will cost to fix? or how easy this would be to do myself?please x
 

asriel

Active Member
Feb 10, 2009
15
0
Antrim, NI
When standing at the front of the car, it should at the corner near the passenger headlight. It has a steering wheel on the cap.
 

M7R

Nerd...
Mar 27, 2008
327
2
Nottingjam
Cost to fix is a fair bit... When I had mine done a few era ago there was no 3rd party recon racks, and a new one was 500+ on trade plus a couple hundred to fit, I had to stop 3 times on the 4 mile route to the garage to refil the pas reservoir as it was peeing out so fast!

Also don't let it run low, as air in the system can damage the pump, meaning more cost.
 

AnthonyDi

Active Member
Sep 21, 2009
67
0
qy2agama.jpg

This is how mine is, doing the lid up full then unscrewing shows its just a smudge above the min marker, could that be cause of a consistent noise turning?
 

AnthonyDi

Active Member
Sep 21, 2009
67
0
Took mine to the garage today and had a techy come and hear mine, he said it does sound rather noisy and doesn't think it's normal, cars booked in for next Monday be interesting if they find anything wrong.
 

M7R

Nerd...
Mar 27, 2008
327
2
Nottingjam
Th other thing to check is the fluid colour, it should be green... When the racks going it can change the fluid colour, my old a4 once it failed was brown!
 
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