A8utoCross

I bought this car about a year ago and have had very little trouble. At the time it would make a very minor "clunk" when turning the wheel while the car was not moving especially when cold but it would go away after a few minutes of warming up. On hot days it did not do it at all. That was 10,000 miles ago (currently 131,000) and now it is much louder and happens all the time unless both front tires are off the ground or I am moving at a good pace. It happens at any position of the steering range and with either single front wheel off the ground. To Describe further it seems to bind a little as you first start to move the wheel and then "clunk" and normal movement as you turn the wheel all the way to stop. When turning back the same thing happens once and then normal turning until the other stop is reached. Moving the wheel back and forth about 2+ inches causes a clunk each time direction is changed. I thought at first it was a binding steering dampener since there is very little play in the steering and the tie rods are good. Local mechanic that I trust says it's the rack but he knows less about audi's than I do although he is good. The clunk feels like it is coming from the rack or near it and does not seem to be on the column inside the car. Any ideas or tests I could try before replacing the steering rack? Even though I just got an 01 S8 I still love this car and plan to keep it for some time.
BTW, the noise got worse faster as I began to autocross with the A8... Thanks for any help or suggestions.

skiracer

40K miles, I would consider them a prime suspect. Generally when these racks go bad they leak. I am not aware of a rack that has failed in the manner you are describing.

A8utoCross

I disconnected one at a time and clunk was still there plus I also jacked each side front wheel up leaving only one wheel on the ground and still the same. Only when I lift them both off the ground steering wheel travel is smooth. Also no play when testing for loose tie rods.

NewAudiGuy

I have gone through several sets. I had clunking when you turned the wheel. Especially likely if the roads are rough where you live. City streets destroyed mine. Also, I know I got a notice from Audi about the defective control arms, and how they would pay, but I had lost my paperwork, and I bought my 98 A8 with 88,500 miles.

Darren

BTW: Almost at 174,000 miles.