Heavy to steer right (only)

**Andreas** · 4 July 2009, 15:30

Did some more testing.. can it be that I've broken the ¤%!#¤%!#¤% steering dampner? I don't really see how.. or.. can it break by me using a power wash (dont know the words for it.. high pressure washer?) to clean off the engine bay whilst having the engine out?

What leads me to think that is that I hear a sound only when steering right, is a sound of like compressed air escaping.. as I'm alone I can't both turn the wheel and listen carefully..

can it be the steering dampner? can i test it by simply unbolting it and try to steer (or is that bad?) ?

//Andreas

**s2_bo** · 4 July 2009, 15:54

You can unbolt the damper to see if it makes a difference, They always make a bit of noise though. I replaced mine and a new one should fully extend on its own at a steady speed after you have pushed it in by hand. If your one doesn't or is very stiff then its most likely dead.

Maybe you forced some water from the pressure washer past the seals and now its full of water..sounds unlikely though.

**Andreas** · 4 July 2009, 16:06

what if it is the steering rack instead of the dampner? is that fixable or is it just to buy a new one? or can I fit my ABY steering rack in my coupe?

**s2_bo** · 4 July 2009, 16:10

They are serviceable, there is a recon kit available from audi for about £50. Its a hard job getting them out though and I doubt that that is the case, sounds more like the damper. Is it tight to go right from center or even if the wheels are pointing left so back to center and then right? Is it the same when you turn the wheel while the car is standing?
Also, try jacking up the front of the car, and turn the steering wheel while both wheels are of the ground with the engine off.
What happens then?

**Andreas** · 4 July 2009, 18:33

I'll have to check on that tomorrow and get back to you.. I'll try to remove the dampner first.. it should be easy to steer in both directions then, yes?

**lind4hl** · 4 July 2009, 18:41

remove the damper and throw it in the bin, no need for it

**Andreas** · 4 July 2009, 19:03

If it is causing the problem - it's gone.. believe me <:

otherwise it really doesn't matter.. then I've got more to think about

**Andreas** · 5 July 2009, 10:51

Its not the dampner.. I removed it and the issye remains.. When the front wheels are lifted/in the air the turning action is easy/normal.. When they are i
on the ground its heavy when turning right again..

On the ground, when turning right and holding the wheel to the right I hear the sound of compressed air or fluid escaping from like behind the wheel...

Any ideas??

**s2_bo** · 5 July 2009, 11:01

The steering rack can make a bit of a sound as fluid is compressed and squeezes past seals.
Doesn't explain the hard steering though.
Maybe the camber is really out on the right side so the wheel is angled against the road making it hard to steer. Just a thought.

**Andreas** · 5 July 2009, 13:27

Yes I understand your thought.. it doesnt seem possible though >;

What can it be as I've eliminated the dampner..

# PAS pump?
# Steering rack?
# the bomb?
# someting else?

I need some ideas to continue the search.. <:

s2_bo: if all is well when the tires are up in the air.. does that mean that the steering rack is okay? or can it fail when the tires are on the ground anyways?

**Trankelstein** · 6 July 2009, 21:16

jaöh!

I had the same problem on the 80 quattro after restarting it but it was hard steering left instead. It went away automagically after somewhere around 1000 km. Maybe you should just go for a few more km ?

**Andreas** · 7 July 2009, 06:08

Hehe, maybe.. but I'm getting so damn annoyed!!!

Does anyone know if I can rule out the steering rack as it works when the front wheels are in the air? or can it still be defective? it would be SO nice to be able to rule things out!!

**stiglet** · 7 July 2009, 21:00

I wouldn't rule out the rack just because you can steer easily whilst the wheels are in the air. The rack is hardly working, so if it did have a problem it wouldn't show up. If it's a problem under load, then it would only show whilst the wheels are loaded up.... if that makes sense. If anything, I would say it definately WAS the rack if it's easy in the air. Either that, or some very funky geometry on one of the front wheels.

Is it only difficult past dead ahead or difficult returning from full lock all the way to opposite full lock?

**Andreas** · 7 July 2009, 21:12

I'd say that it is heavy whenever turning right, from dead center or from far left or whatever..

I tried turning the wheel without having the car/engine running.. just turned on the ignition the first step.. then the steering was as heavy to the left as to the right.. in short it feels like I have NO POWER STEERING action when turning right but only when turning left!

Is there any point in just trying a different PAS pump or should I just switch steering rack directly?

//Andreas

Heavy to steer right (only)

Heavy to steer right (only)

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