Steering column clunk and wandering

[Goran]

I think they mean the bolt. It would make no sense for there to be a screw inside a bolt?
I should add, I haven't actually looked at my steering column yet so cant confirm.

[roboblob]

Found in Audi world.

There is a 18 mm bolt that sticks out of the bottom of the steering rack near where the steering shaft connects to the rack.

This 18mm bolt is the rack Pre load adjustment and it can be turned in small increments to tighten up the steering response. If you have two people available, one person can turn the steering wheel back and forth from inside the car, while the helper tightens up this Pre load adjustment in small increments until no more rattling or popping sounds are heard. Turn the bolt clockwise 1/16 to 1/8 of a turn at a time until the noise goes away and then turn it an additional 1/8 turn.


Original post
http://forums.audiworld.com/showthread.php?t=1759068

[SilverS8]

Originally Posted by sarg

Steering rack replacement is a serious pain in the ass, fingers crossed for you it's not the rack

Hmmm... ElsaWin makes it look pretty straight forward....

How many hours would you think?

[Goran]

The veteran guys on quattroworld say there is nothing in the rack to wear out. Its a rack-and pinion, there is nothing to play in there (unless somehow you tortured it to death and ground all the teeth down?). You either tighten using the adjustment bolt, or change the tie rod ends. Or check the 3 rack mounting bolts are tight. Why would you change the rack?

[sarg]

The rack is actually a pretty common failure on VAG cars, surprised not seen more threads on them here.

Can't remember exactly, but mine was p!$$ing out PAS fluid, something to do with some seals/o rings gone, which in turn split a rubber boot which let loads of crap in and killed the rack.

As for time, it took me, my brother and DIY Dad about 6 weekends and it was a bitch of a job, but at the time, Northampton Audi said it would be about £1700 (mostly labour), DIY cost £300-£400 or so all in.

[SilverS8]

The reason for changing the rack os due to massive freeplay in the steering..
Its pretty crappy to drive since it feels like a oldsmobile from the 60's..

I will try to tighten tje nut since averything in the suspension is only about 1 year old (all oem stuff)

Strange thing is that the freeplay in the steering is only noticable when engine is running and barely when turned off..

[Goran]

yes I forgot about all the power steering bits, I guess by the time you pull it to replace seals/pistons etc, you may as well put back a new rack, or a remanufactured one at least.

Apparently this place is good, not sure if there is a good place in the UK.
New rack price from Audi is ridiculous, close to £1000.

http://forums.quattroworld.com/a8/msgs/44931.phtml

also check out quattroworld they covered a lot of rack problems. could be inner tie rod ends?

[sarg]

I don't recall exactly, but think I got an exchange unit from TPS, wasn't mega bucks, but it's all the other little bits that you need too, steering wheel sensors and the like, getting it all re-calibrated at the end.

The difficulty with the change is that it's just damn difficult to get to, that's why the costs are so labour intensive. I'll have a look tomrrow in the old file, see if I've still got receipts

[texas2201]

Thanks guys I will tighten the bolt when I next have it in the air - I am going to put new bushes in the ARB as well.

[PsYcHe]

The replacement procedure is here:

http://www.audipages.com/Tech_Articl...eer/srack.html