revelator1969

Does it sound like the steering rack is damaged or do all the balljoints and bushes need to be tested on that side? It feels like the power steering is not working properly.

Edit - I took some pics i will upload them very soon. I tried the steering wheel with the car parked, its sitting on loose gravel, the steering feels just fine and is not stiff at all, i can turn it full lock to full lock and no stiffness or noises is apparent. when i look at the right front wheel it is way out. I dont know if that would be enough to cause heavy steering.

revelator1969

Guys im in the uk so my drivers side is different if your in another country. Right side and Left side is with me sitting in the car facing forward.

Left side wheel pointing reasonably straight.

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right side wheel sticking out to the front

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right side front of wheel gap looks ok

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right side rear of wheel gap looks ok

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dvs_dave

100% something bent/damaged. An alignment won’t and shouldnt even be attempted to try and fix that. Sudden stiff steering is also a dead giveaway that something is damaged. You need to get it looked at by someone who knows what they’re looking at.

And I suppose you’ve unfortunately just learned the hard way....AWD+snow+summer tires = hitting the scenery harder.

Galco

Does the wheel wobble or just point outward relative to the good side? If wobble, possible bent axle. Either way, this car needs to be put on a rack and examined carefully as there is something not right. Sorry this happened, but hopefully not too expensive and likely tie rod end or control arm which are ware items and if any consolation, would need eventual replacement anyway. Please keep us posted on the outcome.

revelator1969

Thanks the reply Dave. I agree that something has given in and allowed the wheel to get knocked out of alignment. The steering is only stiffer when i drive it. Sitting stationary on the loose gravel the power steering works just fine. I live in a small village, there is a garage here that does mot's. Im wondering if a decent mechanic can look at this or whether i need an Audi specialist.

I never see enough snow to warrant buying winter tyres, i guess the lack of snow is why i was not more cautious. I was driving very slow but not slow enough.

Thanks for the reply Galco. The steering wheel does point towards the good side. I dont get any wobble at all.

Galco

This is likely an obvious bent arm or other suspension component. To start, suggest you get it up on his rack and carefully compare the good side to the bad and suspect it wouldn't be too hard to determine what's not right or different. If no luck, then you may have to flat bed tow it to a more specialized shop.

Tstealth32

Steering is probably stiff because one wheel is trying to go straight or left, while the other is trying to pull you the other way, Im guessing the steering wheel turns very easy making a right turn, but not while turning it back to the left.

PaulW

I did the same thing many years ago with my D2....steering wheel skewed as your is....in the end, it was the lower curved control arm that bent backwards, had to replace it, and all was good. Posted pictures in the D2 forum a very, very long time ago with one on top of the other....definitely bent, but I could only notice it with the two of them on top of each other.

dvs_dave

+1, the suspension arms pretty much all have curves/twists in them one way or another from the factory. Ie, they’re not just straight bars which would make a bend easy to spot. So unless your’re extremely familiar with what they’re supposed to look like, it can be tricky to spot a more than normal bend/twist in one or more of the parts without a side my side comparison.

PaulW

Mine was the lower curved arm, #7 below.