Sad PAS

[bam_bam]

Bit of a workout this morning. I was dropping the car off in Essex to get a few little things done. Rolling through deepest darkest Hackney at 6:15AM, rounding a corner, when, all of a sudden the steering grew a mind of its own. The wheel was ripped from hand and the car straightened up for an early morning meeting with a Shop front. Luckily, I'm no mere mortal and my hand strength is ten-fold of Joe Average (in part to my near constant masturbation schedule), so I accessed my wank power and wrestled the car away from the scene of an accident and squashed the brakes to a halt.
I got out and checked the tyres, they were still inflated so I assumed the PAS had given up. I still had 20miles to drive, so I hopped in the back of Darth and rubbed out a quick one for warm up purposes. Now driving a non-PAS car versus a PAS failed car is very, very different and I can now say I've done both and I can report it's dangerous.
Trying to negotiate London at low speed would've been impossible if it weren't early morning with zero traffic. I eventually joined the A12 and braved 50MPH but it was still more than a handful. Any rut or camber would put up a massive fight and I started to regret my 'warm-up' wank. Still, I got use to it and 70MPH was achieved, albeit with very wide eyes. My journey completed without further incident, I handed over the keys and apologised to the poor sods that would have to move it around a workshop.

So, I'm assuming that either something relating to the PAS has died or the PAS fluid is too low. With that in mind, what fluid do our moneypits take and should it be readily available?
If the PAS has died is it a lengthy job?

[TechNick]

Sorry to hear that

[chunky79]

Is it a belt driven pump or gear pump on the engine? Could be a belt failure. Good job the wrists are up to it.
Think the fluid type is stamped on the lid of the resovior but i could be completely wrong
Hope it gets sorted quickly and cheaply

[Daveperc]

Given you (graphic?) description of the failure it doesn't seem likely just to be low fluid - I would expect firstly there to be noise (though would you hear it in Darth these days??) and a gradual loss of pressure. So I suspect that it is probably electrical (did you check the fuse?) or possibly mechanical (was there excess play in the system?). Alternative could be complete failure of a hydraulic component.

Dave

[bam_bam]

You can't hear ANYTHING from the front-end these days (not something I'm happy about) but it use to make a 'squelchy' noise on certain degrees of lock. Other than the incident this morning the steering was copacetic.
I didn't have time to check the fluid level or the fuse, I dumped and run for the closest tube. I've got Audi rideside assist so I'll make the call, the workshop has a lift the tech can use. I just hope it's a quick fix, I've got a lot to do on the weekend.

[Shoppinit]

It needs some special fluid. You can't put the wrong stuff in or you'll do damage. USefully it says in the manual that you need "special fluid" but doesn't say what it is I'll have a look under my bonnet. HOld on.

[Shoppinit]

"Use only mineral oil G002000"

[RSKiwi]

Gutted.

Silver lining... you had an excuse to crack one out.

Your self portrait below:

[bam_bam]

"Use only mineral oil G002000"

You're a fucken star mate. This forum owes you a good many beers! Enough to drink yourself to death, I should think... put that way it doesn't sound like a nice repayment, sorry.

[Shoppinit]

S'ok, I'm been putting a bottle to my head and pulling the trigger for many years now

[Mr V10]

Genuine laugh out loud reading that. So what are the guys in Essex doing to it then except the PAS?

[skyegtb]

"Use only mineral oil G002000"

I just replaced the fluid on both my 2001 Allroad and 2003 RS6 and discovered the G002000 has been superceded by G004000. The new fluid which is commonly referred to as Green Fluid can mix with the old fluid no problem so can be used for a top up or a full flush. I used a turkey baster to do my flush, not a masturbator! I bought the fluid here:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/ws/eBayISAPI. ... OU:GB:1123

[Mr V10]

This is a good guide on replacing and flushing power steering fluid.


http://www.audipages.com/Tech_Articles/ ... flush.html

[bam_bam]

I'm currently sulking around Essex Lakeside, I dropped the car off at AmD. The PAS fluid eservoir was bone dry, the contents were left all over a workshop floor in Theydon Bois. I have no idea if this will be a quick fix, I'm yet to receive a report.

[HYFR]

keep us updated bam