Steering rack problem

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Aug 17, 2023 | 07:01 AM

Nikola998

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Steering rack problem

Hi everyone.
I have Audi a4 B8.5 2012
When turning the steering wheel in place, regardless of whether the car is on or off, a screeching sound is made.
I think that can be steering rack, so i asked a few services but they told me that can’t be repaired just replace with new one but the price is unbelievable 1000e+
Is anyone know how to slove that?

Aug 17, 2023 | 10:00 AM

SMac770

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From: Georgia

You need to find out what the sound is. If you lift the front end and turn the rack, do you still hear the noise? If you unbolt the tie rod ends from the wheel bearing housings, do you still hear the noise when you turn the wheel? You might have a ball joint worn out. One video demonstrating creaking from ball joints: youtu.be/aHLiMs5N0tg . My front right makes a noise similar to the video; I suspect it's the ball joint the lower straight arm mounts onto.

But you should work on isolating the source of the noise first.

Aug 18, 2023 | 01:33 AM

Nikola998

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Thanks for your reply.
The sound is not the same as in the video.
I drove the car in deeper water and after that it started to hear a scratching sound, as if there is not enough lubrication and it is always heard when the car is stationary or when parking. I read that it is mostly a problem with the electronic steering wheel…

Aug 18, 2023 | 06:34 AM

SMac770

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From: Georgia

If you have the electro-mechanical power steering (B8.5 started with MY13 according to the parts catalog; what is the actual 10th character in your VIN) and drove it into water, yeah, you probably trashed the J500. As you've seen, Audi doesn't do "repair". You need to still determine the actual source of the noise, if it's the J500 control module or the rack itself. The former would be common, the latter would be uncommon.

Aug 19, 2023 | 12:37 AM

Nikola998

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Yes, my car have electro-mechanical power steering.
I went to the mechanic and he said that sound coming from steering rack.
Is anyone know how to slove this? Maybe some lubrication or something?
I am interesting what is broken in steering rack?

Aug 19, 2023 | 04:50 AM

SMac770

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From: Georgia

Probably not much you can do other than drop it and open it up and see what's what inside. It might be a mechanical issue with the rack, or it might be an electrical motor issue. The J500 is a control module and the power passes through it, but the actual motor that power assists the rack is in the rack.

Aug 22, 2023 | 04:47 AM

PEB60

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Joined: Aug 2021

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From: Massachusetts

If there is an MIL set for the electro-mechanical steering there is a warranty extension. I frankly find it hard to believe that is what you have though. I would encourage a visit to the dealer to discuss the situation and what remedies might be available through VWA. You'll have to push to get them to cover anything other than than the specific parameters of the recall, but maybe you can a free diagnosis out of them for your trouble...