play in steering wheel

[MonkeyNut5]

My recently purchased RS2`s steering wheel has developed a vibration whilst driving along bumpy roads. The steering wheel itself can judder around by about 5mm whilst driving and feels `loose`.

The suspension has no noises coming from it and seems fine from what I can tell, the problem seems to be with the wheel itself.

If I hold the steering wheel firmly at the 12 and 6 position I can feel a good few mm play towards/away from the wheel. There`s also some play at the 9 and 3 position.

I took the airbag off and checked the large nut holding the wheel onto the column and its tight. I also took the trim underneath the dash off and the brackets holding the column are both on tight.

So I`m guessing there must be bush or bearing inside the top bracket holding the steering column which may have worn?

Does this sound plausable or should I be looking elsewhere?

Thanks

Russ

[alastairg]

I assume the obvious, tyres balanced and tyre pressures ~ 38psi on standard set up. My guess is you have a worn front balljoint. If not consider steering damper but you should notice vague steering and often a clonk or two on full lock

[MonkeyNut5]

I assume the obvious, tyres balanced and tyre pressures ~ 38psi on standard set up. My guess is you have a worn front balljoint. If not consider steering damper but you should notice vague steering and often a clonk or two on full lock

Thanks Alistair,

Its a standard setup, the tyre pressures are fine and the wheels were balanced a while back.

The steering wheel doesnt vibrate at all on smooth roads so I assumed the balancing is ok.

The actual steering feels fine, it feels direct and definately not vague. There are no clonks whatsoever from the suspension, even on full lock.

Are there any other things that would indicate a worn balljoint?

If you have a moment could you check your steering wheel for play? This is my first RS2 (and first audi) and I have no point of reference to whether there should be a few mm of play in the steering wheel or not.

Thanks

Russ

[alastairg]

Both this RS2 and S2 before had slight movement at steering wheel but my guess remains the balljoints. The ride quality over the goat tracks here was horrible with vibration then increasing thumping with every bump. If that is the solution then do get it aligned afterwards.

[MonkeyNut5]

Both this RS2 and S2 before had slight movement at steering wheel but my guess remains the balljoints. The ride quality over the goat tracks here was horrible with vibration then increasing thumping with every bump. If that is the solution then do get it aligned afterwards.

Thanks again, I`ll get the balljoints replaced.

I just noticed from a previous post that your from edinburgh, do you have any recomendations for an audi specialist garage? I`m in dundee and dont mind travelling to find a garage that knows about these cars.

Thanks

Russ

[alastairg]

Firstly I am wrong there is no play at all in my steering wheel. Could be a steering rack/damper issue. Get the balljoints checked prior to replacement. It involves a mechanic and a spanner to check for movement in the front suspension set up. If solid i.e. OK then could be sterring rack/damper.
If I were you I would go to Star Performance in Fife. I have tried all the Edinburgh 'specialists' with mixed results. Witherspoon in Sighthill Ind Est seem the best as they are prepared to indulge the enthusiast owner. Your problem is few audi mechanics have lots of experience with these cars. I provided Witherspoon with the e manuals I had as they had none for the S2/RS2 !!

[MonkeyNut5]

Firstly I am wrong there is no play at all in my steering wheel. Could be a steering rack/damper issue. Get the balljoints checked prior to replacement. It involves a mechanic and a spanner to check for movement in the front suspension set up. If solid i.e. OK then could be sterring rack/damper.
If I were you I would go to Star Performance in Fife. I have tried all the Edinburgh 'specialists' with mixed results. Witherspoon in Sighthill Ind Est seem the best as they are prepared to indulge the enthusiast owner. Your problem is few audi mechanics have lots of experience with these cars. I provided Witherspoon with the e manuals I had as they had none for the S2/RS2 !!

Thanks for the garage details Star performance are that little bit closer; its good to know theres a potentially good garge within reasonable distance.

I`ll get my spanners out and check the ball joints, I should be able to do it one night this week.

To clarify the loose steering wheel: The movement, when holding the wheel in the 12/6 position, is towards/away from the dash, not along the usual turning axis. Its this movement which seems strange to me. I had my wife rock the wheel and the movement doesnt seem to translate down the steering column from what I could see.

Anyhow, i`ll check the balljoints and let you know

Thanks

Russ

[alastairg]

Must just check. When were the topmounts last changed ?

[MonkeyNut5]

Must just check. When were the topmounts last changed ?

The topmounts were replaced about 20k miles ago.

You mentioned e manuals? Are these the ones linked on another post on this forum or do you have any more? I`ve been trying to get as much in the way of manuals/information as I can get my hands on. Is there a haynes manual or similar that covers the car? The nearest I`ve found is:

http://www.haynes.co.uk/webapp/wcs/stor ... &langId=-1

Would this be the closest one? or are there any better publications available?

Thanks

Russ

[alastairg]

You have a PM