ModRofl

So I'm having a problem with my Audi A4 2010 Quattro125k miles, around July, the steering became stiff, initially I believed steering pump problem, mechanic later attempted to replace the steering pump, upon further review he told me that's not going to fix problem, the problem disappeared by itself for a around 2 months but then came back. In an attempt for a cheap solution as well as colder weather I thought perhaps the fluid is becoming thick so I flushed and replaced the power steering fluid, however the problem still persisted. When I went out of state for 2 weeks, came back for the problem to disappear again, only to comeback in 6 days. I have searched the forums a bunch of times and found a few similar scenarios but I can't seem to figure out if the people reporting such problem also experienced the problem to go away at random times. Also, the steering becomes much better after driving/ having car turned on for 45+ minutes.

So in summary
- Stiff power steering
- Problem seems to go away after 45+ minutes of car being turned on
- Problem disappears at random times, first time for two month, second time for just a week, before coming back.
- No leak of the power steering fluid
- Replacement of steering fluid did not fix the problem
- Power steering pump doesn't seem to be the problem (based on mechanic's opinion)

If anyone facing such problem could please guide me as to what could be the problem, what actually annoys me is the fact that the problem disappears, giving me hope that perhaps this could be some sort of small part defect that would not cause me to spend too much.

My rookie guess is of course steering rack problem, however why does it disappear... If it is the case, my goal is to get a junk yard power steering rack and have a shop install it, since my only goal for this car now is for it to drive another two years, before most likely scrapping it for parts, it's not a bad car, just been a few problems, and the value of it seems to be quite low for trade-in/ sale.

PS: I only recently got into trying some DYI repairs and learning the mechanics of the car, will take the car to mechanic soon, will post what they find here for others, but for my own knowledge wanted to know a bit more myself beforehand.

Appreciate any help.

SSixer

I had similarities to your problems, flushed system and it still kept happening. Dealer of course was not helpful so I took it to a VW specialist in my area who diagnosed a faulty hose. Sounds weird but they said there was a TSB about the hose and replaced it. It's been fine since. Good luck

jlbell

Ensure you flushed the system with approved Audi power steering fluid, most likely Pentosin CHF 11S. If the problem is still around, refer to:

https://workshop-manuals.com/audi/a4...e/hose/481007/

Since your car is a 2010 Quattro it most likely was fitted with option code 1N3: Servotronic Steering and falls under the above TSB.

adrianreece

It sounds to me like you might have a bad joint in the steering column. I remember reading about similar symptoms due to the joints in the steering shaft between the steering wheel and the rack going bad, causing increased steering pressure required. It seems this issue fluctuates a lot with temperature, which could be why you are having such mixed results. You could easily try and lubricate these joints with grease or even WD-40 to see if it makes the problem better, then replace as necessary. Just my two cents, something to look into. Good luck!

Bon voyage

I have a 06 A6, a 03 Allroad, and 04 A4. My experience with my Allroad was a headache. I replaced the powersteering pump and had a about 3 months of going from no issues to extremely heavy wheel turning. At the end of it all I had a ps line by driver front wheel with a pin hole that allowed air IN but didnt drip fluid. So no leaks but introducing air into the line. I would replace the ps lines from the cooler to the rack at the firewall. However the First place and free advice is start with front wheels off the ground turn all the way left all the way right and do it 20 to 30 times. Get ALL the air out of the system. Its your gremlin.

ModRofl

Thank You all for your input. I took the car to my friend's father, who is a mechanic, for anyone wondering, the cause was the intermediate drive shaft most likely some sort of rust build up, he used some commercial grade lubricant for now and it's good as new, however, no guarantee it won't go bad again, so might have to do the replacement after all, for now will see how long this will last me, the part itself is around 300$ OEM or around 125$ at junkyard, installation is around 400$-500$ as far as I can tell currently. Will be hoping it won't come to that, but seems unlikely.

Dubbed

I just posted this in a newer thread with what could be the same problem -

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Have a look under the engine block (driver side) for the steering column universal joint - Give it a good spray that with WD-40 or similar.
That worked for me a year ago, and hasn't returned since.

Good luck.