Sudden Stiff Steering
03-25-2018, 10:13 AM
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Sudden Stiff Steering
Hi Guys - I have a 2013 A4 P+ that just hit 40k miles. A few days ago I noticed the steering stiffen up all of a sudden. Especially at the 9 and 3 o'clock positions. Outside of those position, it seems normal smoothness. Seems to be worse right after a cold start of the car. If I drive it maybe 3 or 4 hours later, it's not as bad but still noticeable. I scanned for any fault codes and nothing. I'm not hearing any abnormal sounds in or outside of the car. (If it matters, It hasn't been abnormally cold here in the Boston area. I'd say in the 30-40's the last week before it happened until today. A few months ago for a 3 week stretch, it was at/below zero and never had issues then.) Any ideas?
I did find this TSB describing what could be the issue: Stiff Steering TSB
I'm not mechanically inclined, don't have car jacks to put it up on, so if you can think of anything to avoid hundreds++++ to fix this, let me know. Is this normal on a car with just 40k miles? Oh, and of course the car is out of warranty!
I did find this TSB describing what could be the issue: Stiff Steering TSB
I'm not mechanically inclined, don't have car jacks to put it up on, so if you can think of anything to avoid hundreds++++ to fix this, let me know. Is this normal on a car with just 40k miles? Oh, and of course the car is out of warranty!
03-25-2018, 10:21 AM
#2
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Steering shaft lubrication
Hi Guys - I have a 2013 A4 P+ that just hit 40k miles. A few days ago I noticed the steering stiffen up all of a sudden. Especially at the 9 and 3 o'clock positions. Outside of those position, it seems normal smoothness. Seems to be worse right after a cold start of the car. If I drive it maybe 3 or 4 hours later, it's not as bad but still noticeable. I scanned for any fault codes and nothing. I'm not hearing any abnormal sounds in or outside of the car. (If it matters, It hasn't been abnormally cold here in the Boston area. I'd say in the 30-40's the last week before it happened until today. A few months ago for a 3 week stretch, it was at/below zero and never had issues then.) Any ideas?
I did find this TSB describing what could be the issue: Stiff Steering TSB
I'm not mechanically inclined, don't have car jacks to put it up on, so if you can think of anything to avoid hundreds++++ to fix this, let me know. Is this normal on a car with just 40k miles? Oh, and of course the car is out of warranty!
I did find this TSB describing what could be the issue: Stiff Steering TSB
I'm not mechanically inclined, don't have car jacks to put it up on, so if you can think of anything to avoid hundreds++++ to fix this, let me know. Is this normal on a car with just 40k miles? Oh, and of course the car is out of warranty!
03-26-2018, 03:39 AM
#5
I had this problem when I bought my Audi in 2016. I cleaned(BrakeKlean) and lubed it(silicone lube) and the problem went away. Returned last summer and no amount of cleaning and lube would fix it. Steering was so stiff I had to force the wheel back to center after turning.
I did a lot of research and found another culprit is dirty steering fluid. Mine looked perfectly clean(translucent green) so I was doubtful.
I drained the reservoir with a turkey baster and refilled with new fluid. Jacked the car and turned wheel lock to lock about 50 times. The next day it was a little better. I repeated this process over the next week about 5 times and the steering gradually returned to normal.
Now I drain the reservoir and refill every time I change the engine oil.
FYI, the dealer often diagnoses this as a faulty rack. They replace the rack and everything is good...but they also change the fluid in the process.
I did a lot of research and found another culprit is dirty steering fluid. Mine looked perfectly clean(translucent green) so I was doubtful.
I drained the reservoir with a turkey baster and refilled with new fluid. Jacked the car and turned wheel lock to lock about 50 times. The next day it was a little better. I repeated this process over the next week about 5 times and the steering gradually returned to normal.
Now I drain the reservoir and refill every time I change the engine oil.
FYI, the dealer often diagnoses this as a faulty rack. They replace the rack and everything is good...but they also change the fluid in the process.
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Meek MxMnisi (02-06-2021)
03-26-2018, 04:20 AM
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I had this problem when I bought my Audi in 2016. I cleaned(BrakeKlean) and lubed it(silicone lube) and the problem went away. Returned last summer and no amount of cleaning and lube would fix it. Steering was so stiff I had to force the wheel back to center after turning.
I did a lot of research and found another culprit is dirty steering fluid. Mine looked perfectly clean(translucent green) so I was doubtful.
I drained the reservoir with a turkey baster and refilled with new fluid. Jacked the car and turned wheel lock to lock about 50 times. The next day it was a little better. I repeated this process over the next week about 5 times and the steering gradually returned to normal.
Now I drain the reservoir and refill every time I change the engine oil.
FYI, the dealer often diagnoses this as a faulty rack. They replace the rack and everything is good...but they also change the fluid in the process.
I did a lot of research and found another culprit is dirty steering fluid. Mine looked perfectly clean(translucent green) so I was doubtful.
I drained the reservoir with a turkey baster and refilled with new fluid. Jacked the car and turned wheel lock to lock about 50 times. The next day it was a little better. I repeated this process over the next week about 5 times and the steering gradually returned to normal.
Now I drain the reservoir and refill every time I change the engine oil.
FYI, the dealer often diagnoses this as a faulty rack. They replace the rack and everything is good...but they also change the fluid in the process.
03-26-2018, 04:20 AM
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Just spoke to my mechanic and he says it's best idea to replace the u-joint(s). He said that what's probably happening is that it's rusting out so even if you put grease on it, it will just get worse and when the rust comes off it will lossen the steering up and could get dangerous. If the u-joint needs to be replaced, about how many hours would that take assuming no problems doing it?
Last edited by net1994; 03-26-2018 at 05:32 AM.
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03-28-2018, 03:58 AM
#8
06-03-2019, 09:37 AM
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same issue
Following this thread! I have a 2015 Audi A5 which I am just having the same issue with that started a few days ago.
Mine is electronic steering as well. Hoping this is a minor thing! My A5 only just hit 40k
Mine is electronic steering as well. Hoping this is a minor thing! My A5 only just hit 40k
06-03-2019, 09:48 AM
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Update.
Back in February, I had the U-Joint replaced. The teeth on it were degrading, causing the stiffening. I could of spent another $100 for my mechanic to grease it up again and get a few more months of it to 'work.' But it was just delaying the inevitable. So I ponied up the $600 for them to replace the whole shaft. It is the first dangerous issue I've ever had with any car I've had where just putting a band aid, could of still caused a serious accident. Can't do that...
Back in February, I had the U-Joint replaced. The teeth on it were degrading, causing the stiffening. I could of spent another $100 for my mechanic to grease it up again and get a few more months of it to 'work.' But it was just delaying the inevitable. So I ponied up the $600 for them to replace the whole shaft. It is the first dangerous issue I've ever had with any car I've had where just putting a band aid, could of still caused a serious accident. Can't do that...