LuvnhatemyA6

That was on a Citroen though, with mineral fluid.

After my experience I propose the drain reservoir (one of those hand pumps for diff oil etc. is handy here), refill with new, run car and exercise steering, turn off and repeat until the fluid looks clear, method. Takes longer but no chance of running the pump dry.

The alternative method of disconnecting the return pipe, running the engine and collecting fluid in a container I found to suck as the mess is horrendous and I accidentally ran the PS pump dry.

johnkk

fluid change might help, but if a seal needs to swell up with some heat, fresh fluid may not help.

Old trick with cars running conventional p/s fluid was to add an ounce of brake fluid to soften up and swell seals. Not sure it will work with our hydraulic oil fluid. No guts to try!

On Saab's it was the pintle valve sealing that went and you could get a few months to a year our of a rack that was starting to go with the brake fluid kluge. Reman rack was around $100.

just googled and found reman for 01 2.7t for $299 at steeringrack.com not bad

Dr.Pooley

This is the first winter since I pulled the relay on mine and it also happens to be the 1st of 4 yrs of ownership that my steering is super loose feeling the first inch off center when starting from cold and its cold out (under 40-45). It goes away after a minute or 2 but is real odd feeling until that happens-I can steer with my pinky like nothing with no relay in place at low speeds which is unusual. As all have stated it vanishes and returns to normal after 1-2 minutes of driving.

Kris Hansen

I think a replacement of the fluid is in order. Thanks for your response.