My 98.5 2.8QMS covered 27K miles without problem, but in the last 500 miles the handling has deteriorated significantly.
Where the steering 'feel' was OK before, there is
now a 'slack', over-assisted feeling, especially around the straight ahead position. This gives so little feedback at high speeds that the car is becoming unpleasant to drive.
A colleague (and previous A4 QMS owner) suggested that wheel alignment might be causing the problem, so I had my Audi dealer perform a full 'Optiflex' alignment check - to no effect.

Has anyone experienced a problem like this?
Any ideas as to how can I isolate the cause will be gratefully recieved!
-Chris Dixon

I have a 99 1.8TQ Avant.

This was in autobytel............

Campaign Number: 99V248000 Date: 09/13/99

Vehicle Description: Passenger vehicles. The tie rods of the steering assembly are protected on each side by a seal to prevent moisture and dust particles from entering the swivel bearing mechanism. It is possible that some tie rod seals may not seal properly. If moisture and/or dust particles enter the swivel bearing mechanism, the swivel bearing could wear over time diminishing the steering control of the vehicle. Dealers will replace the tie rods. Owner notification is expected to begin during September 1999. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Volkswagen at 1-800-822-8987 or Audi at 1-800-822-2834. Also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's Auto Safety Hotline at 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

Hi!
Seems to me that I experienced the same problem, here's my story:
I bought a used A4 Avant more than a year ago. It had about 25k driven and I was completly satisfied for a while. Then I had to visit an Audi dealer for some recall replacements and nearly a week after that I faced the same problems with the power steering: Unprecise reactions around the straight ahead position, too sensitive while driving over bad roads w/o any good feeling, heavy reactions while passing trucks or at windy days and so on...
I tried EVERYTHING (but bigger tires), had many many parts replaced but nothing worked at all. I think it got more worse within the last year, but I can't meassure...
No problem w/ the liquid, a replacement of the original shock absorbers yesterday (after about 75k) did "heal" some problems, but the steering is still something between "not comfortabe" and "insecure" (at high velocity, e.g. 90-100mph).

Excuse my little English, I am from Germany and havn't practised for a while.
Regards,
Thorsten

I've checked with my Audi Dealership (Nottingham UK), and the only recall scheduled for my car is a 'Quality Check' on the brake pads next time I have it serviced.
-Chris