kehoe603

i have a 97 a4 1.8T, the power steering started groaning and now it is getting hard to steer when at low rpm's...a new pump is quite expensive and i was hoping to get a second opinion before i made any final decisions, was hoping someone has some knowledge on this. thanks

turbo510

If the pump groans and the steering is hard, check for something binding. I'd jack both front wheels off the ground, and steer lock to lock, feeling for stiffness. If it feels normal, start the engine and do the same a few more times. This exercise can also purge air that causes the power steering to not work correctly. Make sure the fluid level is OK. There's a filter screen in the tank, that has to be clean. I've never checked mine, but I'v read of people solving steering problems caused by a clogged screen.

kehoe603

thanks ill try that, ive heard that air sometimes gets in the lines and was hoping that was the problem all along, now that its gotten worse i really NEED to do something and was hoping to do it myself it was fairly simple but am not that familiar with the car quite yet,thanks again

kehoe603

might i also add, the hose coming out of the bottom or the fluid resevoir is wet with what seems to smell and look like road grime and power steering fluid, but nothing else around it has the gunk on it...just that hose, all the way down to the pump

Pete@ECSTuning

Is it leaking from the reservoir? Does the reservoir still have fluid?

kehoe603

i havent saw a drop leaking anywhere...the fluid level is just a bit over the full line and i have never added a drop since ive owned it(about 7 months), which really makes me wonder how the hose got the grime on it, i just dont know a lot about the ps system of the car and didnt know if it was a pump, the rack, or just something completely different

racer.ex

Did you figure out if it was plugged or if it was a damaged pump?

kehoe603

i havent found out yet, i checked the screen in the pump and it seems clear, i cant see all the way to the bottom of the resevoir tho, i can feel the pump and hose pulsate when the wheel is being turned and it starts groaning, i was gonna try to just flush the system but then if it is a pump them im gonna have to replace the fluid anyways...im probably just gonna try the pump and pray that it was the issue

jimrobertson

Check for leaks in around the bellows rubber on the arm at the tie rods.If no leaks pump likely the issue. There are lots of articles online to repace.Put new rubber lines and clamps on while your at it. They dry up and shrink causing the wet spot.