A6Q-TN

I just got the bad news today. Over the last week I have smelled this really bad "burnt" oil kind of smell. I pulled it up on ramps over the weekend and saw that something was leaking down from the back part of the engine. I took it to my mechanic today and sure enough, it is my steering rack.

I am hurt city, I just had to get new tires, not cheap... then a new alternator and battery, also not cheap..

Anyone about the same year have to replace the steering rack? What kind of hole did it put in your pocket?

grrrrrr,

Kerstin

Stranger

I also have that burnt smell in my car. I can see oil in the front bottom of the engine. Can it still be the steering rack??? Are there any other things to look for to confirm that it is the steering rack??

Thanx
lata

Style12v

the burnt smell could be from any oil leak.

The most common is the head gaskets, which often runs down the passanger back of the engine.

Where exactly in the front is yours leaking? are you loosing PowerSteering fluid?

Stranger

The oil seems to be coming out of the front of the engine. I can see it on the "pan" below the lowest pulley. Cant see alot though. But im getting it fixed. i hope its not bad

Thanx
Lata

A6Q-TN

I had a loss of powersteering fluid, plus there is line behind the back of the engine covered up by a rubber boot. My mechchanic took a very long screw driver to check inside of this boot. (very long screw driver because this area is rear lower part on the back side of the engine)There should have been "nothing" but it came out with powersteering fluid on it! This loss of powersteering fluid is on the "back" side of the engine, not the front.

If you have an oil leak on the front, bottom of your engine, it may be your idler bearing. First of December, I had the cam belt tensioner and idler bearing replaced, plus replaced the water pump and thermostat at the same time.

A6Q-TN

When you get it fixed, let us know what it was....sure sounds like what I had and what I had fixed in December....

Big R

I just had mine done (94 100S) a couple of months ago. I had already had the hose replaced, still loss of fluid. The dealer swore it was the rack, my indy confirmed and replaced same. I'm still dripping something, but too soon to notice loss of P/S fluid. Expensive job! Indy says they've done a ton of them.

A6Q-TN

How much did you get hit with? My quote from the dealer was $1500. My friend from Autobahn Performance in Atlanta said he would do it for me for $1000. Both quotes are parts and labor.

Greg / 97 A6 Wagon

The dealers quoted me from $1500 to $2000. The difference being between using either a factory rebuilt or a new unit. I was willing to pay for a new rack, but there were none available at the time.

Big R

Dealer quoted $1500. I had it done at my indy for $950 out the door.