Heavy steering problem, Any ideas of causes?

[DJM1982]

Hi,
I have a 2006 A4 B7 2.0TDI sline.
I have notice laterly that the steering is becoming increasing heavier, although i love cars i'm not that mechanically minded so i am after abit of help.
The steering feels very heavy whilst driving, almost like the tyre pressures are low. But i have checked the pressures and thread on both front tyres am they are all fine. Also, it just feel as stable on the motorway at high speeds (only talking 80 - 85mph ).

So i just want to know of any other parts etc, be it track rod ends, shocks etc with could cause this. As far as i know, all the parts are original and have covered 120,000miles now.

Any ideas and approx cost to replace would be great, i can then book it into my local garage and ask them to check, without getting taken for a ride.

Thanks in advance for you help

 

[B5NUT]

I think your looking a pas pump fault, or steering rack fault, I would start with the pas pump as it's the cheaper option of the two.

Have you checked the pas fluid level?

 

[hades-]

have you checked the relay ?
Check Out my New Servotronic Mod (PowerAssist Disable Mod)...)...
check this for the right relay number but you get the idea starts with a 6
take side cover off drivers side and you can see the relay you need
its not common for them to fail but it could be the case and its a good starting point cash wise

 

[DJM1982]

I have just checked the power steering fluid and its still sitting at max level. I do have a wine or sqeel from the pas pump when near full lock, are the two related do you think?
Any other Ideas??

 

[alfie155]

it would most likely be the power steering rack.

mine tends to feel heavy very occastionally but only wen im parking up.

 

[DJM1982]

is this expensive to repair/replace

 

[B5NUT]

You could get lucky and find one on eBay, but you still looking at around 3 hours labor + alignment. I would start with The pump if your getting no leaks then I just cannot see it being the rack.

 

[rowdyboy]

You need to find out if yours has the speed sensitive steering (I'm not sure of the proper name) it came as standard on mine but I'm not sure which other models had it.
If your power steering pump was knackered, you'd have arms like Arnie by now. At a standstill, you'd have a lot of judder, if you could turn it at all.

 

[auroan]

have you checked the relay ?
Check Out my New Servotronic Mod (PowerAssist Disable Mod)...)...
check this for the right relay number but you get the idea starts with a 6
take side cover off drivers side and you can see the relay you need
its not common for them to fail but it could be the case and its a good starting point cash wise

2.0 tdis don't get servotronic. It's only the 3.0tdi and 2.0 tfsi that did.

 

[DJM1982]

Cheers for the posts and ideas.
Some further info to try and narrow down the problem, the steering seems to feel heavier on the offside (drivers side) rather than the near side, not sure if that is relevant or not, power steering fluid is full and has not dropped.
My car does not have speed sensitive power steering.

I may just have to drop it off at a garage and get the problem diagnosed and see what they would like to r*pe me for to fix it.

 

[DJM1982]

...

 

[DJM1982]

Well a small update, but nothing much to tell. I have spoken to my garage (who i trust) and had a chat around possible causes and he seems to think is sounds like the power steering rack (not the best of news). But it is now booked in for the 1st week in October (the first available date he has as he is so busy and booked right up) and he has agreed to check all the suspension parts, all the power steering parts to identify the problem and give me a qoate to fix. But as he only changes £35 per hour labour then it should be less expensive than a dealers.

 

[Gazah19]

Old post but did this fix it as mines exactly the same with only 30k on the clock