bighands

Got an '03 A6 3.0. Replaced p/s pump last year when it got noisy and fluid was bubbling. Perhaps didn't replace it fast enough and now I have a situation where when I first start it, all is well and steering behaves normally. After a few minutes the steering becomes manual, especially felt when parallel parking. No fluid leakage that I can see. Thinking of a rack replacement at this point. Any advice?

Kris Hansen

Is there any noise from the pump? I'd not suggest rack just yet, if the pump is no good, the rack won't get enough pressure to function correctly.

Have you re-bled the system? Jack up the car so both front wheels are off of the ground, and work the steering full left to full right a few times, with the engine running. Make sure there's sufficient correct fluid in the reservoir at all times.

Was the pump you used brand new, or rebuilt?

bighands

Kris,
I finally got around to troubleshooting and thanks for making me think about it before replacing parts. Turns out 4 out of 5 hose fittings were loose, and letting air into the system. Replaced them all with hose clamps, and flushed/refilled with Audi G00400. All is good now. No noise and good steering.
Jim

johnkk

Have been experiencing cold weather "easy one way hard the other way at start up" for a few winters. Read this thread and finally put new hoseclamps on hoses to cooler tubes that had been weeping for years and were starting to leak more.

This morning no more erratic steering. I guess if fluid can leak, air can get in.

Kris Hansen

Sweet!!! Glad you got it working correctly!

bighands

yeah, apparently the rubber hose compresses over time under the factory crimps and hence the leaks. Wonder how many people have dumped cash with new pumps and racks yet still have the problem.