Steering Rack Replacement
 

Hey guys

Been a while. Well I have been advised that my steering rack needs replacing.

I am gona have a friend help me with this job. I am aware it isn't for the faint hearted.

I have a copy of elsewin instructions, however before I get started has anyone on here done had theirs changed. Or would anyone have any advice on the matter.

Thanks in advance.

Hi Ranj, it has been a while. Hope all's well, apart from the rack.

I know nothing about replacing the rack but my D2 has been sat off the road for a while now dumping PAS fluid everywhere, suspect the rack or pipes to it. Been meaning to do it but other commitments have meant the 8 has been on a sorn for way over 12 months now.

Watching this one with interest. +++

been a while
 

hi Dezzy
it certainly has been a while. I ve been busy in other areas of life.
I am waiting for steering rack to arrive. Will take pics as I go
sorry to hear about yours. bring it back to life!

Mine starting doing that recently. Turned out to be the pipes/joints perished where they pass through the n/s front wheel arch. Got three brand new OEM pipes fitted for the princely sum of one arm and one leg.

If youre looking for a new rack steve (thebluewhale) on here had a recon or new one for sale a few months ago might be worth PM-ing him Ranj +++

Steve's is for a D2, already PM'd him a while ago now :o on the pretence i would shove it on there, but not been able to get anywhere near the 8 for a while.

I want to but it's in the way at the moment and might just need to be rid of hopefully not. I wonder if i filled it with soil, what it would look like as a giant planter?

I did read your thread and followed with interest. If i do it i'll be getting dirty myself and doing it on the drive. When i say drive i mean big muddy area that i've not finished yet because there is an 8 in the way.
I also won't be buying new hoses, i'll ask my digger hydraulic fixit hero if he'll make me some new hoses if i need them.

Steering Rack
 

I ordered one from A8 parts today. Will be arriving thursday/friday.
If it was on a d2, I would be quite confident. Unfortunately, I avoided getting to grips with the car and preferred giving it to others to do the work.
Recent experience, ended with me paying a ridiculous amount to have upper control arms and lower rears changed. Then, I find out the steering rack needs changing. So I wasn't a happy bunny.
So this time, I m doing the job myself and we will see how we go.

I didn't realise it was on a d3 - was looking at your signature rather than the category of the post - perhaps you can update your sig when you get time Ranj +++

Wow... What a coincidence!

My car is at the stealership at the moment and they traced a knocking sound on the front to a faulty steering rack. I'm waiting to find out whether it's covered under the 3rd party warranty I got when i bought the car. They've quoted me £2980 to replace it!

At first, I thought they'd mis-diagnosed it but it's actually strangely comforting to know it is possible for them to need changing.

A previous garage had noted there was some sort of fluid leak that they thought was too thin to be engine oil, so suspected PAS fluid. Audi didn't find anything leaking but that may explain both problems.

Does the steering rack replacement involve removing the engine for access? Should I get the power steering pump changed while it's out?

I'm watching this thread with interest...

Good luck Ranj !

engine replacement
 

I will find out later this week if I need to take the engine out. I have bad feeling I do as that's what Guy told me in passing at some point.

3000 to replace Rack is a lot. I was quoted 600 labour to replace. The symptoms I have are that there is excessive play in the steering wheel, which has been traced to play in the pinion on the steering rack. In addition, to this you can hear a knocking sound when you rock the steering back and forth and if I turn the steering under load then there is a loud creaking noise.

I m hoping the engine doesn't have to be removed, there was no mention of it in elsewin. In the same breath, I haven't found a diy of the procedure online as yet, which normally means it's not a job for the faint hearted either.

We shall see.

Ranj, are you planning on replacing the power steering pump too?

If they need to take the engine out, I'm thinking it may be worth doing it at the same time.

Steering Rack replaced
 

Well the steering rack has been replaced. Still have to put power steering fluid in and bleed the system so car is still on axel stands and untested. However, this will be the first task next week on my return.

Changing the steering rack really isn't a job for the faint hearted. Definitely the toughest job I have come across to date.

Fortunately, the engine/gearbox does not need to touched. However, you are in for a world of pain and swearing as there is just so little room to work in.

I will write a short diy when I have time.

Thanks.

Glad to hear the worst is over for you. I'd be really interested to hear your results once you've got her out on the road.

My steering rack arrived at Audi yesterday and they are fitting it next week.

I've asked for a printout of the alignment/geometry check they're doing afterwards but I'm 99% sure they will forget - communication isn't one of their strong suits.

Fingers crossed!

4 wheel alignment done. Car running better than ever!!!!!
 

Well, the steering rack replacement was a success!!!! I enlisted the help of my nephew, who has been working as an apprentice mechanic for a vw specialist for past 3 yrs. He has just moved to a bmw specialist now, but wow what a talent.

I managed to find the procedure on elsawin, and so much is involved. Fortunately, we managed to do it without removing engine/gearbox.

There's lots involved in doing the job, and so it's certainly not for the faint hearted. To get access to the rack, one must remove the driverside under trim, the rear front wheel trims and the upper control arms/tie rod ends.

there are 3 bolts holding the rack in place all difficult to reach so we modified a spanner to reach them. There are 2 on the drivers side n 1 on the passenger side n they go up into the bulk head.

We left the power steering lines in the car and disconnected them from the rack. The pinion is connected to steering wheel universal joint by a hex bolt which is accessed from under the wheel arch.

There is a rubber seal covering the bolt and is easiest to remove from the inside on the driverside.

Apologies for lack of pictures, it really was one for a lot of swearing!.

good luck!!!!

Nice one Ranj +++