Steering problem ?!?!?
 

Hey Guys,

So my wife and I thought it'd be fun to take a ski trip this weekend up north. Of course, we had to pick the COLDEST weekend of the year. To cut a long story short, when i started my car in the morning (-17 degrees C outside), my car was making a pretty weird sound which stopped after the car warmed up.
But what didn't stop was the noise coming from the steering wheel. Now, EVERYTIME i turn, it makes a brutal almost screeching sound....its un-bearable. We got back yesterday afternoon and its still there.
What could this be? Power steering fluid/pump? Hope its nothing too serious!
Please let me know if you have any thoughts

Thanks!

SLIM

Re: Steering problem ?!?!?
 

Sounds like air has entered the system and is cavitating in the center of the centrifugal PS pump.

Suggest check the PS Fluid level and also check it with the engine idling. Could flush with new fluid.

Are there any PS leaks such as a hose or the rack ends? Possible loose connection on the low pressure side is letting in air as fluid is thicker at colder ambient temps.

Re: Steering problem ?!?!?
 

UPDATE:

Topped up power steering fluid a few days ago....problem solved!

Re: Steering problem ?!?!?
 

Good stuff. Keep an eye on that fluid level, I'm not sure where it goes, but I had the same problem earlier this year. I hope you got the Audi fluid. Your Audi will not like regular power steering fluid.

Re: Steering problem ?!?!?
 

ABSOLUTELY!
Only Audii fluid goes in my baby
Yes, it was $30 for a 1L bottle, but i like the piece of mind!;)

Re: Steering problem ?!?!?
 

Yeah the price is a bit high. Sometimes, I think that Audi makes all of their profit on Light Bulbs, Wipers and Power Steering Oil.

Re: Steering problem ?!?!?
 

If fluid level is going down, even slowly, then there is a leak. Depending where the leak is, air can get in and cause cavitation inside PS pump in colder ambient temps typically below 0C.

A completely sealed system will maintain constant fluid level for years.

Re: Steering problem ?!?!?
 

hey guys,

I have a 2002 audi a4 1.8t Quattro, i have a similar problem. When I start driving from rest (0 km/hr) and turning, it makes a funny loud noise, sounds like a piece of paper in your bicycle wheel, and i have been looking online for sollutions. I was convined that it was the lack of power steering fluid but its full to the top and I havent found any leaks. My friend and I were driving in circles in the parking lot and i found out what it was. the drivers side radiator fan was unballenced meaning when it wasn't spinning, it was loose. Once he going going, the fan kicked in and it would spin just fine. If your hearing funny noises while turning, also check if there is some play in any of the fans located on the engine side of the radiator.

Thanks