Extremely stiff steering after changing power steering suction hose

B6 A4
#1

Hey guys, I need some help.

I, like many other 3.0 people, had the mating whale call from my power steering. After some research it seemed that a common issue was the crap clamps used by Audi or the power steering suction hose, possibly even both. After replacing the clamps my power steering fluid was foaming and the whale call was even worse. I replaced the suction line, topped off the power steering fluid (yes I used hydraulic mineral fluid from our local euro parts store Bow Wow) and started up the car. Low and behold the noise was gone! When I got in my car to take it on a test drive, I could barely turn the wheel. Don’t get me wrong I’m a small guy but I can handle no power steering but this was almost like concrete solid. Eventually I was able to turn the wheel, still stiff as hell. A few forums said it was a power steering pump issue but I’m having a hard time believing. The car had been in my garage for the last 3 days and worked prior to being parked and the hose being replaced. I did take it for a test drive after replacing the clamps but once the noise started again it was right back in the garage. Idk if it helps but all I removed was the power steering/window washer cover, the 3.0 badged cover and what I believe was what looked like 2 fuel pressure regs and unplugged the electrical sensor connected to it. I used a variety of tools and some pb blaster to clean off the ends of where the hose stuck. Anything helps. Thanks guys!

#2

You probably need to properly bleed all the air out of the system. I would recommend not driving it around until you do so because you probably will burn up the pump and then your out more money.

Here is a great DIY…worked perfect on my S4 after I rebuilt my heads and put the motor back in.

http://www.audizine.com/forum/showthread.php/250562-power-steering-fluid-flush-DIY

#3

Thank you so much! I saw that forum before but didn’t read all the way through it… Gotta stop doing that. I will try in the morning now that I have the proper steps and update you on the outcome.

#4

So it doesn’t seem my problem is fixed. It seems the wheel has eased up some from bleeding but still pretty stiff. I’m starting to wonder if I have a blockage in the line I replaced or if it is really the pump. When bleeding I checked the fluid after every time I started the vehicle which I did 10 times but there was no change in fluid level. After letting it run for a few minutes I shut it off and checked, it was at the same level. I waited 30 sec, started my car and still stiff. While running I opened the power steering resivior but it didn’t look like it was pumping fluid in or out, no bubbles, nothing… I’m stumped

EDIT

So I wondered if 10 times was enough… So I did it 30 more times. That’s 30 2 second start ups with 30 30 second breaks and 3 3minute run sessions. The 2 of the 3 run sessions I raised the RPM’s between 1500-2000 to check and see if it would make a difference (i read somewhere a faulty ps pump will work usually at 1500rpm’s and higher) in the resivior amount which it did. There was more fluid in the resivior and bubbles. After the last run session I gave the car it’s 30 sec break and started it. It seemed for a moment I had fixed the issue but my hopes were short lived as I made it out of my driveway and down to the end of my street (which is like 300ft if that) before it went back to its worse than a car without power steering state. I am now convinced its my ps pump. God dammit. If anyone can give me some advice before I drop $320 to get one from JHM that would be great. You can also Donate to the ps pump fund. I take PayPal and cash:D

#5

I have a used power steering pump that works but its on its way out. If you pay for shipping its yours if you want to test it out before buying new.

#6

I’m confused bud, were you flushing it…or just looking in the reservoir to se if the level changed??

You need to unhook the return line to the reservoir and pump new fluid through the system until it runs clean. then you re-attach the hose and fill the reservoir…turn the wheel back and forth with the car off (wheels jacked up is the easiest) then start it and turn the wheel…all while making sure fluid doesn’t run out and you get air in the system again.

#7

No I was bleeding it. at the bottom of the flush article there were instruction for bleeding, I thought that’s what you were pointing to since after changing the line I pretty much put all new fluid in after changing the suction line. the old stuff in there bubbled out all over my garage floor shortly after reassembling everything. I haven’t had an opportunity to flush my system but I did try another method in the service repair manual which was still unsuccessful. I’d just hate to drop $50 for materials I just used to bleed and still have a stiff steering problem. I’m all for a $50 solution, just not down to throw money where there’s not a solution. Especially when the next step is replacing the $320 power steering pump.

With that said, I’d still rather only spend $50 and the only way to know if it will fix it is to do it. I’m gonna wait until Wednesday when everything is open again. hopefully I’ll come back with good news.

#8

hey sorry for not posting sooner. I did the power steering flush and it worked. i had a hiccup today when the steering went stiff but i think it was bleeding as it was in the the radius that it said it would take to bleed out. i haven’t made it home yet, i probably need to top off the power steering fluid after a burp like that and like a dummy i didn’t bring any with me. its coming to the end of day two and it seems to be working well. if all goes well the next money dump will go to coilovers and tires. Thanks for all your help.

#9

Glad it worked…hate to see people waste money on new parts when it’s something simple.

#10

How did you replace the suction hose? Any removal of other parts to get it into the tight space?