Ok, hopefully someone can help me solve this...

My 1990 Audi 100 (standard front-wheel drive) makes an extremely annoying "groaning" or "creaking" sound when the steering wheel is turned normally or slowly, either when standing still or when driving.

Now, this noise only happens when the steering wheel is moved; if I'm driving into a corner and the steering wheel itself is not moved, then there is no noise, only when the steering wheel is moved. There is no noise if the steering wheel is moved extremely quickly.

I have ALREADY replaced the lower control arms and the full tie-rod assembly a week ago (due to other reasons), but this does not solve the noise problem (it also seems to be more pronounced inside the car (where it's obviously bugging me...) than from the outside.

Oh, yes, the car does have 258,000 miles on it but looks almost like new (photo at www.freewebs.com/audiphilately/myaudi.htm)

What are other source for this noise?
- rack & pinion?
- steering column itself?
When driving, I can't really pinpoint the source, just that it's in front of me; I can also FEEL it through the steering wheel sometimes...

Any thoughts anyone?
Thanks!
Pete in Texas...

 

Without hearing the noise it is hard for me to say but if it is coming from the inside then it might be the carbon brush for the horn or one of the support bearings for the steering column.

 

Oddly enough mine does this 1992 model, did you ever find out what it is, I'm guessing it would just need some grease somewhere.

 

This might be a shot in the dark. Your "groaning or creaking sound" is not too specific.

Try listening at the top strut mounts, under the plastic covers each side under the hood..

I've had that on one of my old Audi 5000s, and am having them replaced on my daughter's Daewoo tomorrow.

The rubber/urethane seperates from the steel bushing and allows the bushing to twist in the mount, causing a similar noise. Easy enough to replace on the Audi, though you might need the front end aligned afterward. If you can get an accurate measurement from the strut piston to, say, the fender, you might not have to do so, though changing the camber will change toe also.

Cheers,

George

 

what about the power steering pump? i have the same problem on my '95 audi 90 quattro

 

Just for the hell of it, why dont you take a piece of dowel rod, 1/4 to 1/2 inch diameter, cap the end of it with your thumb knuckle, jam it up against your ear flap, you know, the piece of cartiage that covers your earhole when you press on it, and listen to the PS pump? Or any other part of the engine you want to isolate a noise to.

It's kind of bone conduction. You will be able to hear and isolate noises.

Can even use a long screwdriver, thumb, ear, etc.

Generally, most US cars make a whining noise when the PS pump goes bad, as they are vane type pumps, the back pressure plate goes bad.

Audi, I think, uses a piston type pump, so the noise would be way different.. It doesn't moan.

Cheers,

George

 

It appears that the "groaning" noise in my trusty old 1990 100 model (306,000+ miles on the odometer now!) would probably be worn out bearings in the steering shaft ... it's not related to the power steering pump.

Peter
http://audiphilately.webs.com

 

I have exactly the same problem with my 1992 Audi 100 2,3 that just passed 333,333km. Is there anyway to fix this without spending a fortune? Is it in any way dangerous to leave the way it is?

Cheers,
Pontus

 

I haven't had any recent noises to complain about. Had to replace another PS pump (apparently it's tough to find suppliers that can offer rebuilt pumps that don't leak!), but the noise was never from the pump, always somewhere relating to the steering column itself...