Audi A3 quattro 3.2l v6
Discussion
We have been told that the knocking from the "front" of our newly purchased Audi is because of a faulty steering rack which needs replacing at a horrible cost of approx £1600. Someone has said that this was a common problem ( our car has only done approx 36000 miles so not wear and tear ).... Has anyone else had this problem ? We dont want to be cheapskates as this is otherwise a very nice car, but is there a cheaper way and/or is this whole replacement really necessary ? Any chance of getting any money from Audi ????
Don't know if it's common? my A3 3.2 has done 86k miles and the steering is fine.
The only 'common' problem it has suffered so far was the timing chain tensioner failure, which happened a couple of years out of warranty and I was initially quoted £1600+ but after some discussion got them to 'goodwill' and do it at the same time as the service (which they said cost £360) for £400 all-in. I did however buy the car new from them and have it serviced by them which may have helped with the goodwill?
Either way I would imagine a steering rack could be had from somewhere for significantly less...
The only 'common' problem it has suffered so far was the timing chain tensioner failure, which happened a couple of years out of warranty and I was initially quoted £1600+ but after some discussion got them to 'goodwill' and do it at the same time as the service (which they said cost £360) for £400 all-in. I did however buy the car new from them and have it serviced by them which may have helped with the goodwill?
Either way I would imagine a steering rack could be had from somewhere for significantly less...
Thanks for the info. The £1600 quoted is for the whole job and even if you go to a factor ( my husband has quite a good "relationship" with one and gets very good discounts ) the rack is £665 + VAT so once you add on all the rest of the ancilliary bits and then the labour it all soon seems to add up.
What age is your car ? Ours is a 2007. People say there is a known fault with the generation 1 racks. prior to us buying this car at an Audi service they noticed the knocking and said it was not the rod but the rack. However the seller hid this piece of paper from us, I just happened to see it when it fell on the floor and he wasnt in the room at the time, so a bit difficult to say I saw it... And of course we did not know how expensive that would be. Just before we bought it we took it round to a local garage who said they thought it was the anti roll bar bushes....
At the Audi garage the other day, they test drove it and then put it on the ramps and wiggled all the wheels and everything else ( and "jemmied them " !!! ). I deliberately did not suggest the rack problem but that was their conclusion.
Bit of a pain...
At the Audi garage the other day, they test drove it and then put it on the ramps and wiggled all the wheels and everything else ( and "jemmied them " !!! ). I deliberately did not suggest the rack problem but that was their conclusion.
Bit of a pain...
mine is a 2008 b8 model a4 which may share common components - if you have just bought it from the dealer then you should read up on your consumer rights..
Up to 3 months from purchase the dealer must prove that the fault wasnt present when the car was bought
3-6 months from purchase you must prove the fault was present when the car was bought.
At least thats what it was a few months back.
You can rule out steering column UJ by lubricating the UJ and seeing if that helps - or getting someone to hold the lower column (after the UJ) whilst you rock the wheel left and right if the wheel moves and the lower column shaft doesnt then the UJ has play in it and its much much cheaper than a rack.
If youre not losing power steering fluid then I'd consider the other components first..
Up to 3 months from purchase the dealer must prove that the fault wasnt present when the car was bought
3-6 months from purchase you must prove the fault was present when the car was bought.
At least thats what it was a few months back.
You can rule out steering column UJ by lubricating the UJ and seeing if that helps - or getting someone to hold the lower column (after the UJ) whilst you rock the wheel left and right if the wheel moves and the lower column shaft doesnt then the UJ has play in it and its much much cheaper than a rack.
If youre not losing power steering fluid then I'd consider the other components first..
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