help! For the first time since I've owned my A4, I've finally shut off the radio and discovered a scraping (plastic on plastic) sounding sound when turning my steering wheel while parking the car. Not noticeable in daily driving because it only makes the sound (at least noticeably) when making complete twirls with the steering wheel. Is this normal. Nothing else seems wrong other than the annoying sound. Has the sound always been there only I haven't noticed since my radio is always on? or should I make a b-line to my dealer.

I just got my car back yesterday from the dealer for this very same problem. Dealer says it's a spring in the steering column which can make some noise. A little noise is apparently normal. I additionally had a slight clicking or rattling sound at the same time. The dealer checked it out, said they re-aligned the spring, and that the noise went away. They didn't find anything else wrong. I sounded fine to me when I checked it in the parking lot, but when after I drove it a while yesterday I thought it made the same noise as before, ie nothing had changed. I may take it back again soon, I think the noise may be greater when the wheel is telescoped out further. I'd have your dealer check it out.

Terry T.
99.5 1.8T Avant

If your car is still under warranty they will replace it. It apparently has something to do with the air bag. I had the same problem and they gave me the same story about having fixed it until the problem recurred and they replaced the spring.