Noise when turning steering wheel

[asriel]

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]

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]

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]

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

 

[asriel]

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 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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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

 

[fletcherj243]

the bar connects to the wheel

 

[Dark Andrew]

Guess I should check my level too. Where's the reservoir?

 

[asriel]

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]

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.

 

[Dark Andrew]

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.

Cheers, I'll have a look in the morning.

 

[AnthonyDi]

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?

 

[M7R]

You check it when running iirc,

 

[Dark Andrew]

Checked mine today - just below max so all fine.

 

[AnthonyDi]

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]

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!