Creaky steering - PtII, after a new steering rack

OutLore

OutLore

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Had a new steering rack fitted to resolve the creaky noise when turning left a month or so ago... and that seemed to cure the problem.

It's back. And worse than before!!!

Anyone had the same thing after having a new rack fitted?
 
That's worrying to hear!

I am suffering from creaking steering noticeably when steering left.

I've asked my dealer about it who have, so they say, not encountered the problem before. They did suggest that it may need a replacement steering rack and they are "waiting further information from Audi technical".

If you've had the work done however and the noise continues it suggests the problem is somewhere else.

I look forward to hearing what your dealer diagnoses is the problem now!
 
Yeah, the new rack also seemed to cure the lock up of the steering when turning the wheel fast, but this is back as well although not as bad.

Won't be able to get it into a dealer for a while, but will update when I've spoken to them....

Funny how your dealer has not encountered the problem before yet they know there is a replacement rack available!!!
 
I spoke to Lancaster Audi in Manchester who said this was under investigation by Audi and that at some point in the future they would fixing this with modified parts!
 
[ QUOTE ]
I spoke to Lancaster Audi in Manchester who said this was under investigation by Audi and that at some point in the future they would fixing this with modified parts!

[/ QUOTE ]

Aylesbury have already replaced the rack for me to cure this, which it did but now its back. Time allowing I'll be calling them today....
 
OK, popped back into Aylesbury this morning - apparently the first replacement racks were exactly the same as the factory fitted ones (IE a direct replacement). Audi are now producing a modified rack which will resolve the problem but this wont be available until January. They have also confirmed that it is not a dangerous fault....

So, waiting until January.....
 
I had raised this issue with my local dealer (Eastbourne).

They gave me a call yesterday to update me on the steering noise. Apparently Audi technical have advised them not to replace the steering rack at present. Also that there is no concern regarding safety etc, and that I am to sit tight until I hear otherwise.

All well and good, and my audi dealer is doing its best to resolve issues.

But how CRAP is it that you pay 27K for a new car and end up within a few months of needing a new (as yet unavailable) steering rack fitted?!! I've owned numerous vehicles from new, all have been considerably cheaper and all have not had any problem like this... /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif
 
All cars can have design faults, its not related to how expensive the car is
 
[ QUOTE ]
All cars can have design faults, its not related to how expensive the car is

[/ QUOTE ]

well said /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/beerchug.gif
it just makes it more painfull when it costs more, that's all.
 
yeah, i understand, its just making me think that people really do believe that if they spend more on a car nothing will go wrong,


mates Ferrari F360 has been a bag of nails but no one on seems to complain.............................
 
exactly my point, just because its expensive doesnt mean its reliable eh /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

i'm on my third Tag Watch, £1500 and it looses more time than a cheap digi one from the market.......
 
[ QUOTE ]
Every Ferrari I've ever known has been a bag of nails.

Why people spend that amount of money on something so unreliable amazes me.

[/ QUOTE ]

I have a neighbour that buys and sells prestige/high performance cars for a living link to web site (who incidently moved my 25,500 mile/less than 1 year old Cabrio on for 3 grand more than the supplying stealer offered) and in often getting to see some of the exotic vehicles he has I'm always amazed to discover that many of the 'Supercars' will have had maybe 4 or more owners before they are 5 years old and probably covered really low miles in that period too. Reason? The pratical aspects of the ownership of these cars is just plain scary and some people just 'tick the box' i.e. OK I've owned a Ferrari what shall I have next?
 
[ QUOTE ]
The pratical aspects of the ownership of these cars is just plain scary and some people just 'tick the box' i.e. OK I've owned a Ferrari what shall I have next?

[/ QUOTE ]

Bang on man /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/beerchug.gif
just like speedboats and swimmimng pools!
 
audi upgrades
Please keep us posted on the availability of the new rack. I've been meaning to give my dealer a visit regarding this, but I guess it's best to wait until the new part is available.
 
hang on. you've had to pay out for a new 'direct replacement' rack (and the labour) only to have the same problem occure a few weeks later. now audi are gonna bring out a 'fixed' rack to cure the problem, which they will no doubt put a higher price tag on, and chage you a bundle of labour once again.

cant the warrenty take care of this?
 
[ QUOTE ]
hang on. you've had to pay out for a new 'direct replacement' rack (and the labour) only to have the same problem occure a few weeks later. now audi are gonna bring out a 'fixed' rack to cure the problem, which they will no doubt put a higher price tag on, and chage you a bundle of labour once again.

cant the warrenty take care of this?

[/ QUOTE ]

It does..... my car was 6 months old at the time. Warranty paid for the 1st rack, and now will pay for the 2nd when it is available.

I take the point about all cars have design faults - they do. However, as Mk5 Golfs also have the same problem, plus other design issues I am beginning to doubt VAGs quality control and testing division......
 
I also have a creaky steering rack, turning left only. I have a 3.2 - it is only 4 months old and the creaking started about a month ago after 2,500 miles.

Haven't got round to visiting the dealer yet but will let you know their response when I see them over the next 2 weeks. Please keep us posted on your own solutions (or otherwise)!

Thanks
 
[ QUOTE ]
OK, popped back into Aylesbury this morning - apparently the first replacement racks were exactly the same as the factory fitted ones (IE a direct replacement). Audi are now producing a modified rack which will resolve the problem but this wont be available until January. They have also confirmed that it is not a dangerous fault....

So, waiting until January.....

[/ QUOTE ]


Outlore - have you had any updates re the replacement rack please - I am taking mine in in the next week or so to have them look at the creaking when turning left as it is getting worse.

Cheers
 
yeah - guess what? Mine's just started making it, it is a bit annoying to say the least...............
 
Any updates on this? Has anyone heard anything on the availability or schedule of the new steering rack?
 
Can I ask if anyone else seems to be able to 'catch out' their power assistance ?
I don't get any creaking,but I often (at parking speeds) get the steering 'locking up' when I most need it.
It's like the power steering can't keep up with my rapid arm-twirling and goes mega-stiff.

Is this normal ????
 
Another thing that really annoys me! I had the steering rack replaced because of this exact problem on my previous 3.2 last February. Apparently the power steering is all in one unit so they replaced the lot.

It goes heavy light heavy light as you twirl the wheel at stationary or slow parking speeds as you say, as if the assistance keeps switching on and off.

Nobody else really seemed to have the same problem at the time (per this forum and certainly not the dealer, although they accepted the problem) so I just thought it was my car...again. ****** all good it did though. Even my new one does it, but it is only starting to be more noticeable - when I first got it, I thought they had modified something as I never had the problem. I have done just over 4k miles now.

Given the various A3s I have driven in the last 18 months, and the fact that all of them had this at one level or another, I would say that it is one of those "Audi characteristics" that can't be fixed unfortunately. Not ideal, but not for the want of trying to resolve it.

And Outlore, if you are out there, did you get your creaky steering fixed or have any news you can share as mine is continuing to get worse by the week? I must take it in!

Cheers
 
I was thinking about this very thing today......

Need to call the dealer to see if there is a modified rack as yet, even though they promised they would call me when it was out...

When I spoke to them originally, they told me that the lock up problem would also be resolved with the new rack, and it was for a while, but at around the same time the creaking came back so did the dodgy PAS.

The loaner I had when it went in originally for the DSG didnt seem to do it, but then mine didn't start until 5-6k so may not have shown up yet.
 
Cheers for that.
My steering has been getting stiffer with mileage,but I was putting it down to tyre wear (more rubber on the road etc.)

However,combined with the parking problem I'm not so convinced now.

My tyres really aren't anywhere near bald,so the stiffening of the steering looks like a (another...) fault.

Ho hum...
 
I think I might have a problem with mine /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif though I hope it is just due to the greasy roads and minimal tread on the tyres. I am changing the Conti Sport contact 2's to Goodyear GSD-3's tomorrow morning,so hopefully that will solve it. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif
 
[ QUOTE ]
Can I ask if anyone else seems to be able to 'catch out' their power assistance ?
I don't get any creaking,but I often (at parking speeds) get the steering 'locking up' when I most need it.
It's like the power steering can't keep up with my rapid arm-twirling and goes mega-stiff.

Is this normal ????

[/ QUOTE ]

thats EXACTLY whats happeninig to mine, i thought it was the knocking thing!!

feels like the pump has decided to have a "thats it, i'm outta here" moment!
 
[ QUOTE ]
Had a new steering rack fitted to resolve the creaky noise when turning left a month or so ago... and that seemed to cure the problem.

It's back. And worse than before!!!

Anyone had the same thing after having a new rack fitted?

[/ QUOTE ]

i have had Really HEAVY steering at tick over on mine

Lumpy steering yep id say yes, its only at tick over though, when parking up and maneuvering in my own car park.

Feels like the power steering hast lost the plot and will encounter manual HEAV HOWE ! to combat the problem ?
 
just to add this is only at TICK OVER and parking, cant add throttle as its a DSG
 
Just called my dealer, and big suprise - they had never heard of the problem. Well, I'm going to drop by them later today and let's see what they diagnose the problem as.

I wouldn't be suprised though if they would almost ignore the problem /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/burningmad.gif If anyone has an Audi bulletin number for this, or something similar that I could through at the dealer, that would be very much appreciated.
 
[ QUOTE ]
Just called my dealer, and big suprise - they had never heard of the problem. Well, I'm going to drop by them later today and let's see what they diagnose the problem as.

I wouldn't be suprised though if they would almost ignore the problem /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/burningmad.gif If anyone has an Audi bulletin number for this, or something similar that I could through at the dealer, that would be very much appreciated.

[/ QUOTE ]

My dealer said the same.
 
[ QUOTE ]
My dealer said the same.

[/ QUOTE ]

I'll call mine later today as they were the ones telling me there will be a new rack designed after my first replacement was the same.....
 
I am going in for the kill this weekend at the dealer as i can guarantee that they will remember me! Never heard of it will not be an option!
 
Perhaps anyone going to their dealer should take a print out of this thread,showing them,what,at least half a dozen people with the same problem ?
 
Damn the winter. I tried to demonstrate the problem to the dealer, but couldn't. I think this has something to do with the snow/ice we have out there reducing the friction, as I can clearly hear the problem everyday in my office's parking garage.
 
Thought you guys maybe interested in the following info about the nature of the 8Ps steering taken from official sources....its quite a complex beast.

-------------------------------------

The A3 8P uses the VW PQ35 platform which features electro mechanical steering unlike the previous A3 which used conventional power steering where a hydraulic pump feeds oil to the rack. the advantage of the new system is that power is only consumed when the steering is operated. As well as the worm at the bottom of the steering column which engages with the rack, there is a second worm gear which is driven by an electric motor. The control system senses the steering wheel being turned and the control unit then energises the motor. The control unit receives signals about the vehicle and engine speeds, and steering wheel angle and uses this information to deliver the right amount of assistance to move the steering rack.

Because the system is computer controlled, the operating parameters can be altered to give different models different steering charactistics, Also, because the assistance is only provided when needed, in contrast to a pump which has to be working all the time, there is a significant improvement in fuel consumption.

-----------------

As you can see given its computer controlled nature perhaps some of the problems associated with the varying assitance ...or locking up, could be to do with the "brains" and the assoicated sensors it relies upon, rather than the rack itself.

HTH
 
Anyone have any updates to this?

I just spotted this thread at the MkIV forums, which looks quite promising. If there indeed is a new steering rack for the MkV golf, one could assume that there is one for the A3 too!

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This is a new part that was just released about two weeks ago, so the steering rack issue will be no more.
If you want it to be replaced, you need to go and see your dealer, as he has to order the part on a case-by-case basis. The part number is the same, but it is a new part.

[/ QUOTE ]
 
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