Audi A3 2.0 TDI Sport 2004 power steering replacement

[wornclutch]

Hi
I have got the red power steering light on the dash and the steering is gone very heavy. I have been told that the car will need a new power steering rack. I have gone through other discussions but still havent figured it out fully. So a few questions for the experts.
I dont want to spend money on a brand new power steering rack as that would be more expensive than the car itself. I have looked through the service history and dont see any work done to the power steering. So it was probably gen 1 rack. If i find a gen1 or gen2 rack from ebay/breakers, will it be a straight swap or does it need to be coded with VCDS?

I spoke to TPS and Audi both and they told me that the part number for my car that comes up in their data base is 1K2 423 055 JX. Not sure if this part code that they say is the gen 3 that they sell as replacement or the code for gen1.

There are a lot of different racks available on ebay and suppliers like GSF. Some of these are with 4 mounting holes and others have 3 mounting holes. Is that linked to the generation of the power racks?

Thanks for the guidance in advance

 

[NHN]

Also gen 3 requires a loom adapter to fit & yes gen 3 is the stock replacement for gen 1, you really do need to match the part to your car, as other vag racks aren't necessarily matched to the a3 so to speak.

 

[wornclutch]

Also gen 3 requires a loom adapter to fit & yes gen 3 is the stock replacement for gen 1, you really do need to match the part to your car, as other vag racks aren't necessarily matched to the a3 so to speak.

Hi NHN
Thanks for the input. Yes i spoke to the TPS guys and the gen 3 rack + loom and an adapter unit needed for gen 1 to gen 3 costs over £2000 in total. I am looking at some ebay breakers where i can get the gen1/2 rack for about £100. Part number obviously i'll have to match but if the rack is from another A3 and part numbers match, do i still need VCDS to change something?
Essentially i am trying to make sense if spending 300-400 on this £1200-1300 car will fix it or will i be just out of money.

 

[wornclutch]

@Keram A little help please. I can see in other discussions that you are quite knowledgeable about the steering rack replacements. Are gen 1 and 2 with 4 mounting bores? And do i need any coding going from gen 1 to gen 2 obtained from a breaker?

 

[NHN]

Whose keram

You'd need to clear errors with vcds as there will be some & possibly do a steering basic settings.

As long as it's of an a3 8p then should be fine & iirc gen 3 has 3 holes iirc, without rechecking elsawin I can't say right now, but it sparks a memory recall.

 

[wornclutch]

Whose keram

You'd need to clear errors with vcds as there will be some & possibly do a steering basic settings.

As long as it's of an a3 8p then should be fine & iirc gen 3 has 3 holes iirc, without rechecking elsawin Including say right now, but it sparks a memory recall.

Keram is another forum member from Lithuania who is quite experienced in steering racks and stuff looking at his replies in other discussions.
Had a call with a steering specialist company this morning who can do the whole thing including taking the rack off, reconditioning it and fit it back for under £400 but they are 300 miles away so not feasible.
And yes thank you. I confirmed with them that gen 1 and gen 2 are 4 holes while gen 3 has 3 mounting holes. Of course they didnt tell me about swapping one from ebay.

 

[NHN]

£400 is super cheap considering the work & they will swap with a recon of the shelf imho, which is fine, but dropping subframe & wriggling that in our takes time, trust me I know it well, plus you'll have to track it as it will be out.

 

[wornclutch]

£400 is super cheap considering the work & they will swap with a recon of the shelf imho, which is fine, but dropping subframe & wriggling that in our takes time, trust me I know it well, plus you'll have to track it as it will be out.

It is but it is also 300 miles away. Dont think this company has their own website because google directs to their ebay account. SSL on ebay.

I was thinking that the main part that goes is going to be the electronics bit. Thats what communicates with the ECU. I found an old log of the car where the steering assist module came up as 1k1 909143 l. Could it be that the steering rack was already upgraded but its not in the service history? As Car Giant had carried out some work on the car long time ago before my friend bought it from them. I am think this because all gen 2 racks that i have seen on ebay, when i was looking at the photos, the electronic motor had the part number starting with 1k0 on those racks. Is there any way to tell if its gen 3? I mean without taking it out.

 

[NHN]

Yeah count the bolts lol.

 

[Keram]

Hey!
Sorry for late reply.
Seems you have gen1 rack. Ideally you want to check the car with some diagnostic equipment and get the error codes, but from my experience you just better go and swap this to any newer gen. You can buy any non Audi TT one, get it together with wiring loom and then you'll only be left with adapting it to the car (much easier if you go with gen2).

 

[reverseproxy]

Gen1 will go straight in with no coding. If you do need to code it's about £100 at Dealership IIRC. GEN1 are most prone to failure however, GEN3 is best way to go but it needs the loom and also a couple arms for the subframe I believe.

I wrote a guide on my site about identifying them before. The rack failed on my MK5 Golf, and as soon as it was plugged in and powered up, I just had to do the adaptation and all was good again.