Steering slack?

[dan_b]

Just wondered, are there any adjustments that can be made to the S2 steering rack?

I seem to be noticing that the steering feels very vague on the straight ahead at the moment, and it feels to me that you can turn the steering wheel a fair few degrees in either direction without that turning the car at all. The steering wheel is very light in that small amount, then you can feel it weight up and it turns. Once in the turn, it's fine. It's very odd and I don't know if I've described that very well, but at the moment it feels a little disconcerting - for example just going along the m-way at speed, you normally make only very small corrections, but it feels like you turn the wheel that little bit and nothing happens...

There seem to be a few groaning/creaking noises from the front suspension periodically, but that happens to all of us as we get older doesn't it!

Has something broken, worn out or just needs tightening/ adjusting?

last year I replaced my leaking servotronic rack with a normal one, so it's not the servotronic. I changed the top strut mounts earlier this year too, as well as putting on the RS2 FARB/ Whiteline RARB.

Any suggestions of where to start?

[Mark Halligan]

Steering damper?

http://www.s2forum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=9728&highlight=steering+damper

[Eriksson]

I have the same symthoms.

Changes

KONI Shocks
H&R Springs
NEW Green top mounts.
Powerflex Bushes x4
New Steering ball joints.

Only thing i have left to check is the steering damper.
Can anyone show, tell me where it's located ?

Cheers Pelle

[jameswkr]

The rack can be adjusted. Look just below the master cylinder down onto the rack ( RHD coupe ). You will see a small cover plate with three bolt heads. The middle one adjusts the rack pre load (10mm socket). AUDI recommend that you unscrew (anti clock) until the noise of moving the steering wheel can be heard inside the car. Then retighten slowly until the noise disappears and the steering movement is still smooth.
I had a new rack fitted and it takes very small adjustments - less than 1/16 turn to get it just right. Ben, if you are in doubt, I work in Isleworth and can bring the long socket extension required to do the job.

[dan_b]

Hi James
That sounds like what I need to do - I'm in Richmond, perhaps we could meet up to look at this if you're free? My rack was fitted last September.

[jameswkr]

Ben, you have a PM. James.

[dan_b]

Just to say that James helped me out with adjusting the pre-load on the rack - it definitely did the trick - no more straight ahead slack or vagueness in the steering, excellent!

A big thank you to James, and to the forum for again providing the answers, and the technical assistance! This place is brilliant.

[mdudziec]

Does anyone know if there's an idiots guide anywhere for adjusting the steering damper? For an idiot

[Greg_S]

what do you need to adjust on it?

[mdudziec]

Greg,

When I drive on the motorway the steering doesn't feel responsive at all, it actually feels quite unsafe and in a straight line I need to make lots of steering corrections to keep it going straight.

It sounds a lot like the problems dan b was having above which he fixed by adjusting the pre-load on the steering rack.

I could really do with some guidance on this one.

Thanks

[dan_b]

@Marv
It turned out that I had two problems with my rack - the pre-load adjustment as described above, but I also had an issue with worn rack bolts which you can read about here which had similar symptoms to what you describe as well.

http://www.s2forum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=12602&highlight=tramlining

[mdudziec]

Thanks Dan, I'll check it out

[dm80]

I'm getting exactly the symptoms as described above. However it's only happened after I had new Avus 17"s fitted last night. The steering feels far too light now and un-responsive. On the motorway, and hooring it into corners it actually feels a tad dangerous.

It was fine prior to upgrading from standard 16" 5 spokes. Tyres are 225/45/17. Anyone any ideas? Particularly as it was fine prior to the wheel switch.

[dan_b]

What tyre pressures do you have - could be that they're insanely high?
Are the wheels actually all bolted on properly - a slightly loose wheel will cause all the symptoms you describe (and be bloody dangerous )?

[LHD_Kid]

The other thing to do, which you may or may not have doen, is to disable the servotronic....
remove 2 screws from bench part of rear seat, lift up front edge, locate the box with servotronic written on it (drivers side) remove plug from said box, relocate seat, replace screws and enjoy the feeling of positive weighted steeering....
You can do it almost as quick as describing how to do it.... (but maybe you have done this anyway....)
Chris