Puzzling steering issue
05-01-2007, 05:59 PM
#1
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Puzzling steering issue
Last month I hit a wooden post and damaged the front left fender. Turned out the steering was affected as well. When turning the steering wheel either left or right, the car does go left or right. However, the steering wheel and car does not return to center without manually turning the steering wheel back.
Power steering works. Doing a wheel alignment didn't help. My mechanic initially suspected the power steering rack, but concluded it was OK. We swapped out the control arms, tie rods, and sway bar ends links. The problem still exists.
So we're scratching out heads now. I would greatly appreciate any theories, suggestions, or advice anyone may have. Much thanks!<ul><li><a href="https://forums.audiworld.com/a8/msgs/136174.phtml">The accident ... sigh ...</a></li></ul>
Power steering works. Doing a wheel alignment didn't help. My mechanic initially suspected the power steering rack, but concluded it was OK. We swapped out the control arms, tie rods, and sway bar ends links. The problem still exists.
So we're scratching out heads now. I would greatly appreciate any theories, suggestions, or advice anyone may have. Much thanks!<ul><li><a href="https://forums.audiworld.com/a8/msgs/136174.phtml">The accident ... sigh ...</a></li></ul>
05-01-2007, 07:33 PM
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I can't speak to the technical issue. But consider this:
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/84266/bunnypankcake.jpg">
I'm terribly sorry, both for your predicament and posting the picture of the bunny. But the problem you're describing would make me sigh, too, and when I start sighing a lot, the best medicine is to look at something like a bunny with a pancake on his head. Somehow that lightens the great weight of this world, for me at least. I hope I have been of small service to you, sir. Gabor and Paul and others more knowledgeable than I will now tell you how to repair your motorcarriage.
I'm terribly sorry, both for your predicament and posting the picture of the bunny. But the problem you're describing would make me sigh, too, and when I start sighing a lot, the best medicine is to look at something like a bunny with a pancake on his head. Somehow that lightens the great weight of this world, for me at least. I hope I have been of small service to you, sir. Gabor and Paul and others more knowledgeable than I will now tell you how to repair your motorcarriage.
05-02-2007, 05:33 AM
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Steering Rack Preload? I've played with it on my urS6 and
my dearly departed 5KCSTQ. Do our D2s have this adjustment capability? Check out steering rack preload adjustment procedure at the provided url.
Mark<ul><li><a href="http://www.sjmautotechnik.com/trouble_shooting/susp.html#steerplay">http://www.sjmautotechnik.com/trouble_shooting/susp.html#steerplay</a</li></ul>
Mark<ul><li><a href="http://www.sjmautotechnik.com/trouble_shooting/susp.html#steerplay">http://www.sjmautotechnik.com/trouble_shooting/susp.html#steerplay</a</li></ul>
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05-02-2007, 06:23 AM
#8
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Can't look at that without humming Caddyshack theme
Was that Loggins an Messina? "I'm alright, don't nobody worry `bout me..."
Does the steering self center when you turn the other way? (EDIT: Nevermind..you said it doesn't)
Do you have the printout of the alignment specs before and after alignment?
Is there a fuse that powers the servotronic relay which in turn powers the servo unit on the rack? Maybe the fuse blew. You know you've got a servotronic issue if the steering is heavy at parking lot speeds...it provides additional boost to the stering at low speeds. I don't know if it has any effect on self-centering though.
Does the steering self center when you turn the other way? (EDIT: Nevermind..you said it doesn't)
Do you have the printout of the alignment specs before and after alignment?
Is there a fuse that powers the servotronic relay which in turn powers the servo unit on the rack? Maybe the fuse blew. You know you've got a servotronic issue if the steering is heavy at parking lot speeds...it provides additional boost to the stering at low speeds. I don't know if it has any effect on self-centering though.
05-02-2007, 09:51 AM
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Re: Can't look at that without humming Caddyshack theme
thanks for your thoughts.
i haven't compared the before and after alignment specs yet. the steering is not heavy at any speed. the steering wheel just doesn't want to return to center after making a turn. i can manually turn it back to center with ease.
i haven't compared the before and after alignment specs yet. the steering is not heavy at any speed. the steering wheel just doesn't want to return to center after making a turn. i can manually turn it back to center with ease.