just a heads up...power steering racks are 2-3 times as expensive as a pump...

when the pump fails and your rack runs dry, you will be looking at a much larger bill...

try flushing the system...and refilling with pentosin...if the noise remains, replace the pump...

I would reccomend not adding any leak sealer, it will most likely make things worse...especially if you don't have a leak, you'll just end up with slower flow...

gl!

 

alright thanks.

 

I'll admit up front that I have no experience working with Audi's at all...I'm actually just here to research a future purchase, but my old BMW was having a similar issue. Changed out the p/s fluid and the belt a month ago, and it hasn't made a noise since. Mine only squealed in the extreme lock positions due to a slipping belt and it groaned almost constantly because of low (and old) fluid. Not sure how the belt system is set up on Audi's or if the p/s is even belt-driven, but it would be a cheaper alternative to replacing an entire pump or steering rack.


Alex

 

do this, go buy some pentosin 11s minerl hydralic fluid, get a small pump and suck the old crap out (or pull the lowest hose on the power steering line) and put new stuff in. over time the minerals wear out and you get the whiney noise or at some point someone put in the regualr stuff, happened to me and my dads audi. my dads just had the symtoms as yours but mine went from that to sounding like the wheels and steering rack were about to explose.

 

yeah i also thought it could be due to the cold. And this morning i let it warm up in the 9 degree weather. And it was fine no noises no nothing, and today driving it home i didnt hear anything so im not sure. If i hear it again im going going to flush it and fill it back up with Pentosin. Thanks for all the ideas

 

Be careful with what you add to the 11s power steering fluid.
If you mess-up the steering rack, it will cost $1,000 to repair.