Opening the power steering reservoir...

[iwantagta]

Handing in my man badge.
Power steering is making a bit of noise so think a fluid change/top up may be required.
I cant get into the fking thing.

Has anyone got any suggestions?
The yellow cap looks like its got very tight to the unit.

Screwdrivers, towels, hot engine, cold engine - all tried.

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[SuperchargedVR6]

You'll need a pair of sliding jaw pliers on that bad boy, aka 'water pump pliers'. Typical German lack of forethought. A stupidly small surface area to crack the break away torque with, and made of a very soft material to make matters worse.

[iwantagta]

Thanks - i'm going to continue my stupid streak though...
Use the pliers where exactly?
On the grey cover? or ?

[SuperchargedVR6]

Yep, on the circumference of the grey cover. More clamping area than that stupidly shallow recess for the cross tool.

[iwantagta]

Thanks. Will give it a bash.

[iwantagta]

Cheers - the actual reservoir wasnt fully seated correctly in the holder. As such it moved a bit when you applied force.
Re-seated it & that made it viable with a lot of strength/swearing.

Topped up the fluid & power steering now not making any noise. Result.

.

[Dr G]

Good result

The logic behind fixings/fittings sometimes rely does defy any logic. Surely as a fluid reservoir that could quite conceivably need an emergency roadside topup with no tools available should be as easy as possible to open?

[JuniorD]

I find the supposedly hand openable cap on the power steering reservoir of my aged A4 is impossibly tight. Last time I closed it after a top up (which cured a dreadful whining noise upon engine load - I thought it was the turbo bearings!) I minimally nipped it up, but now it's tight as a ducks arse again.

[Kccv23highliftcam]

Yep. It does get quite warm though.