Power Steering Fluid
12-19-2005, 05:06 AM
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Power Steering Fluid
I've got an 1999.5 AEB 1.8T, and the power steering fluid keeps getting really low. I've added the official VW/Audi fluid a couple of times whenever I can hear the power steering whine during use. My mechanic said that I need to replace the front end tie rods soon. Could that be why my power steering fluid is leaking?
12-19-2005, 05:25 AM
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Re: not related...
Alright then what are the usual causes of power steering fluid loss with my particular engine (99.5 AEB 1.8T)? I can't find the leak anywhere, but I haven't looked too closely. Any ideas where to begin?
12-19-2005, 06:06 AM
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Check List:
1) Lines to and from reservoir, not to mention the reservoir itself
2) Lines running to and from P/S fluid cooler (they are on the driver's side. Have a tendency to leak)
3) High Pressure Line leading INTO P/S pump
4) High Pressure line leading to P/S Rack (has a lil curly cue at the end by the rack)
5) P/S line leading from rack to the reservoir
6) P/S rack itself... inspect the boots and see if they're covered in oil. If they are, your rack is shot... if that's the case, look up my write-up in the tech section.
Basically, on the high pressure lines, where the hose is crimped to the fitting tends to leak after a while. I have replaced almost all my p/s lines by now. The #4 hose I got recently, and it was priced at an obscene level (like $200). I was able to get it cheaper but regardless, the lines are expensive.
this is what the rack would look like if the boots are leaking:
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/21175/dscf0031.jpg">
and this is what the lines leading to the p/s rack would look like if leaking:
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/21175/dscf0022.jpg">
kinda shoddy pic, but you get the idea
hth
2) Lines running to and from P/S fluid cooler (they are on the driver's side. Have a tendency to leak)
3) High Pressure Line leading INTO P/S pump
4) High Pressure line leading to P/S Rack (has a lil curly cue at the end by the rack)
5) P/S line leading from rack to the reservoir
6) P/S rack itself... inspect the boots and see if they're covered in oil. If they are, your rack is shot... if that's the case, look up my write-up in the tech section.
Basically, on the high pressure lines, where the hose is crimped to the fitting tends to leak after a while. I have replaced almost all my p/s lines by now. The #4 hose I got recently, and it was priced at an obscene level (like $200). I was able to get it cheaper but regardless, the lines are expensive.
this is what the rack would look like if the boots are leaking:
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/21175/dscf0031.jpg">
and this is what the lines leading to the p/s rack would look like if leaking:
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/21175/dscf0022.jpg">
kinda shoddy pic, but you get the idea
hth
12-19-2005, 10:36 AM
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newp, bought it rebuilt...
there's a bunch of stuff that goes into a rebuild besides the seals. You should also replace the gearing from what I"m told, which is real big. I'd rather shell out the $400 and get it right than save a few hundred and end up doing it again down the road.
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12-20-2005, 02:20 AM
#9
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yeah, at that point, I agree with ya...
my car had 115k on the clock... just a pup =P
It's got 126+k on it now, and still going strong. I still keep my eye on it though. One really cold morning when I was up in PA the p/s pump was singing like an SOB, but then hushed up and hasn't made a peep since <knocks on wood> so I'm guessing it was just cold.
It's got 126+k on it now, and still going strong. I still keep my eye on it though. One really cold morning when I was up in PA the p/s pump was singing like an SOB, but then hushed up and hasn't made a peep since <knocks on wood> so I'm guessing it was just cold.
12-20-2005, 06:21 AM
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OH mine was beyond the point of singing
I wouldn't even fill the P/S resovior to the appropriate line anymore and would just overfill it. The steering rack would leak fluid so fast that the tank would be empty after a 20 minute highway drive.