Has anyone experienced this very strange noise related to the power steering? This is a 2013 S8 so it’s hydraulic, not electric steering. It started a couple of days ago. It’s certainly the steering as you can indice the sound while sitting still. There’s no change in feel or function. I’m guessing the pump is going or perhaps I have some air in the system. I did check the reservoir and the fluid is at the top of the acceptable range.

So I pulled the car out of the toasty garage and put it in neutral in my driveway and tried to recreate the noise and I was unsuccessful. Maybe the car thought I was an Audi technician. I revved the engine up to about 2500 rpm and still nothing. It seems I can only get that noise when the car is in drive. I couldn’t get the nose to reappear until I started moving. For sure, the other day, it was making the noise when in gear (perhaps it was in reverse) and stationary and when the steering wheel was actively being turned. But also, as you might be able to hear in the video, that high pitched intermittant whine shows up even when the wheel isn’t being actively turned. It’s very closely tied to engine rpm. Perhaps a belt is the culprit. Or maybe I’m having some type of tranny issue. I’m going to try again tomorrow.

lastly, the fluid is nice and clean.

I often fantasize I’m in a Group B Quattro S1 flicking it around on a dirt road in Whales... this might actually enhance that. Silver lining.