D3 S8 first problem - power steering?

[Borys]

Today did a long trip, nearly 400 miles. Towards the end it seemed power steering went very heavy. I thought probably it adjusted to speed etc. stopped in traffic wanted to move it......no way it went manual.
Came back home, no leaks, nothing weird - steering feels properly manual.
Any ideas guys?
Is it something to do with servotronic relay maybe?
Any help would be appriciated

[tonupkid]

Have you checked the fluid level. It's well buried, a pain to do and so, often overlooked

[Norretal]

I can't offer too many suggestions on what it is but I can comment on what it's like to lose the power steering on one of these. I had a burst hose and it dropped the fluid suddenly on a journey. If you can still steer but it's heavier than normal then I'd go with tonupkid and say your level may be low. When I lost mine it was a massive effort to even turn the wheel, I remember doing a twenty point turn in a cul de sac that took a LOT of effort.

Hope you get sorted quickly, and cheaply

[richardracer]

Hi Borys,

If like no retail above, steering was impossibly heavy, chances are pump drive or failed hose. If you have a damp patch on the ground your are lucky. If the pump drive has failed, engine needs to come out to replace pump! I know from bitter experience. Hope you have some form of warranty for a preexisting fault. They do not have a pas belt. Chain drives at rear of engine, drive a gear set, quill shaft drives pas pump.

Have a sample set of pictures and stealer prices if needed.

Good luck

Richardracer

[kele]

I hope it has not failed - since as Richardracer says, the engine has to come out. On mine I noticed a noise and vibration in the steering wheel just before my audi approved warrantee ran out. Audi diagnosed it as failed and replaced it. A few weeks later and I would have been looking at a large bill...

Failure is not uncommon but I have also heard of fluid leaks on these cars too. Fluid leaks are normally a easier and much cheaper scenario to remedy.

[Borys]

Thanx guys
I do have 15 months warranty which came with the car
Will call the dealer tomorrow to let them know that car broke down. I just came back from them today why it happened on a way back not on the way there
Anyways I only have the car for a week......still love it thou

[Borys]

So I checked the fuid level.....bone dry
I think I lost it somewhere on the run yesterday
Topped it up, started the car steering started to work with kinda bad noise to it......and looked under the car - a leak. Few seconds power steering dead again
I reckon burst pipe but damn I hope the pump is ok
Dealer said they cannot look at the car for next 3 weeks, I went nuts with them as in 3 weeks I'm off for holidays
Will call local specialist to look at it hope they under take warranty jobs

[Adrian E]

Get the supplying garage to agree to cover cost of diagnostic and preferably get them in touch with the one you can get it into so you don't need to be involved in the billing.

3 weeks without your car when just picked up is nuts! Don't drive it with pump dry - get it recovered.

[Borys]

I got a feeling will not see my car for a while

Adrian who are you using for your Audi?

[Adrian E]

The '8 still goes to Camspec, although they manage to overfill the oil at last 2 services, which gets right on my nerves. They're good for diagnostic and genuinely helpful. Also have the kit now for removing component protection, which is very useful.

S5 is under extended warranty so goes to the dealer in Crawley, who I wouldn't trust with anything more complex than an oil change!