Power steering pump or steering rack?

B6/7 S4/RS4
#1

Started getting a noise while I’m moving slowly or stopped and turning the steering wheel. Was hoping one of you fine gentlemen could help me determine if it’s the rack or the power steering pump that is failing. I’ve read up on a few threads and can’t find anything to help determine which of the two it actually is. I can hear a tapping also coming from under where the battery used to be and if I put my hand there I can feel the tapping. I can also feel this through the tie rod end and control arms which has led me to believe it’s the rack. I’d like to only replace one or the other but will do both if I need to obviously. Here’s a video of the noise I’m getting inside the car.

https://vimeo.com/132393590

Should I stop driving the car until this is fixed? What could potentially happen if I keep driving?

As always, your help is greatly appreciated.

#2

I don’t hear any power steering pump moans. Is there any power steering fluid on the steering rack boots? If so, then it’s a safe bet that your rack is shot.

What’s the fluid level at in the reservoir?

#3

To me it sounds more like a dry or worn creaking bushing somewhere. Can you feel the tapping through the steering wheel? Does it require more effort than normal?

#4

I will check tonight when I get home. I assuming it’s easy to see them once the wheels are off?

The fluid level in the reservoir was at the top of the ‘M’ in Max when the car was still hot.

I can’t feel the tapping through the steering wheel and the wheel moves nice and easy still. In fact my friend who was moving it while I was checking commented on how nice it felt.

As far as the bushings go, there is almost no rubber left in my car. Just the inner bushings for the front and rear lower control arms, the Stern end links, and the front upper strut mounts. All of these are practically brand new as they have barely any miles on them. They were also definitely installed correctly being tightened down at ride height.

Thanks for the replies. Getting the feeling the rack is toast.

#5

Yes, very. You might even be able to see it by turning the wheel all the way to one side, then shining a flashlight up there. But you’ll definitely be able to see it well with the wheels off.

#6

That’s kind of strange that you can feel the tapping through the tie rod ends but not the steering wheel. If the rack were your problem I would think you would get a different steering feel, either binding up or crunching. If you have access to a drive on lift use a mechanics stethoscope to try to pinpoint exactly where the noise is coming from. Does it make the noise if you have the front end lifted off its wheels?

#7

The sound isn’t there when the front end is off the ground. I even jacked up the front right side to ride height and it still wasn’t there. It’s only when the system has to work to move the wheels.

#8

Figured I’d also mention it happens when the car isn’t running but only when turning the wheel right.

#9

1 of the 3 bolt holes in the upper strut mount bracket was stripped out and the bolt was just sitting in there. Rethreaded it and no more noise.

#10

A great tap and die set should be required when working on cars.