'90 S4 Power Steering Issues
09-16-2008, 11:44 PM
#1
Rennlist Member
Thread Starter
'90 S4 Power Steering Issues
Hi All,
Need some experienced opinions here. I've never had anything like this happen before, and it's got me stumped.
Few weeks back, while on vacation, I seemed to suddenly loose power assist when turning left and left only...........now the right turn assist has faded and this has happened over the last three weeks. Everything feels OK and there's been absolutely no loss of fluid from the system, it's just no power, so low speed maneuvers are a little bit of a workout.
Any thoughts on what's happened? (And what it's going to take to repair). Winter's coming...I might as well get the schedule booked up now...I'm already into an intake re&re.
Thanks!
Rob.
Need some experienced opinions here. I've never had anything like this happen before, and it's got me stumped.
Few weeks back, while on vacation, I seemed to suddenly loose power assist when turning left and left only...........now the right turn assist has faded and this has happened over the last three weeks. Everything feels OK and there's been absolutely no loss of fluid from the system, it's just no power, so low speed maneuvers are a little bit of a workout.
Any thoughts on what's happened? (And what it's going to take to repair). Winter's coming...I might as well get the schedule booked up now...I'm already into an intake re&re.
Thanks!
Rob.
09-16-2008, 11:53 PM
#2
I'm noob, so take it as that.
Your steering rack is shot, insides. Time to buy a new one and while you are in there, replace all of the lines and the tank.
Years of no problems after that.
Your steering rack is shot, insides. Time to buy a new one and while you are in there, replace all of the lines and the tank.
Years of no problems after that.
09-17-2008, 12:40 AM
#4
Team Owner
I would try replacing the fluid first, but First check the rack boots , see if they are filled with oil,
Then do this ,put the car up on jack stands, remove one of the line connections from the rack,( one of the hard lines that run down the fenderwell, there are 2 of them)
After the line is loosened turn the wheels back and forth a few times ( with the engine OFF)this will purge the old fluid out.
tighten the lines then refill it with some dextron 3 or 4.
If things get better thats great if the old fluid looks like its got a silver sheen then this indicates the pump is on the way out.
If the resivour looks old then you should also consider Seans advice replace the curved short hose from res to pump and cut off the factory swage thats on the other short line to the hard line connection and replace this hose as well, also order 4 new sealing washers so you dont have any leaks from the rack connections.
One other thing to consider is how you treat your rack IE when making full lock turns go to the lock and then back off an inch this will reduce the pressure the rack seals have to hold, if this is a normal thing for you then your rack may need a new set of seal and inner and out tie rods and new rack boots
Then do this ,put the car up on jack stands, remove one of the line connections from the rack,( one of the hard lines that run down the fenderwell, there are 2 of them)
After the line is loosened turn the wheels back and forth a few times ( with the engine OFF)this will purge the old fluid out.
tighten the lines then refill it with some dextron 3 or 4.
If things get better thats great if the old fluid looks like its got a silver sheen then this indicates the pump is on the way out.
If the resivour looks old then you should also consider Seans advice replace the curved short hose from res to pump and cut off the factory swage thats on the other short line to the hard line connection and replace this hose as well, also order 4 new sealing washers so you dont have any leaks from the rack connections.
One other thing to consider is how you treat your rack IE when making full lock turns go to the lock and then back off an inch this will reduce the pressure the rack seals have to hold, if this is a normal thing for you then your rack may need a new set of seal and inner and out tie rods and new rack boots
09-17-2008, 12:41 AM
#5
When pumps go bad, you hear it before you feel it. It wouldn't make a bit of difference on the side to side motion with a bad pump. It would just suck to steer.