Power steering questions…

[allroadadi]

Yeah, I am super confused, because I love the sportiness and very quick response when driving more than 10 mph, but when I park the car or do a 3 point turn it seems kind of hard to steer. I will probably flush the system, and put a newer pump on (I do have a lower mileage one available), but it might have to wait until I have some time available as it seems a bit involved (at least the bumper off, and service position, but knowing myself I will take the entire front end off…)

[allroadadi]

Update: got another power steering pump on. It’s a pita to replace even with the front end off completely because the engineers figured the steering pump should have a bolt in the back side because why not? I mean you can fit a boxed end wrench in there with the ratcheting end, but the clearance is 1 click (15 degrees or so). So the only way to get the bolt off is to get it loose and use the tip of your finger to get the rest off because after half an hour of 1 click turns I did not get very far loosening that bolt. It’s even more fun putting it back in as you have to line up the holes and have the same problem (not much room for anything). And yes I took off the intake hose off along with the in and out steering hoses (which does help a bit to fit your hand in there).
For those who venture to do this job, the service manual mentions paying attention to the angles on the hoses per installation. One of them is 90 degrees (the feed line) and the outer line is 75 degrees but it’s pre-bent so not as easy to figure out where the 75 is. To be fair the pipe can only be off by 15 degrees as there isn’t much room for that line to move. But basically you have to hold the pipe as you torque the bolt. If you don’t counter hold the pipe it will turn with the bolt. Valid for both lines…If that makes any sense.
The fellas that replaced the steering pump did not counter hold the pressure pine (line that goes out) and that made a small kink in the hose as it was hitting the impact bar. That could have been the problem. I will find out soon as I did not put the front end back together yet. I replaced the generator as well since it was not working properly all the time. Every few starts the battery light would come on in the dash and voltage would drop (voltage regulator maybe, dont know, but I put in a rebuilt generator/alternator).
Long story short if you have questions about the steering pump installation I might be able to help as it’s fresh in my memory for now…

[srichards]

I think the main take away is to hope not do it as it's another pig of a job!

Is the steering back to normal??

[Felix2566]

Did you work out what the issue was in the end?

When it was in the air and you were bleeding the hyd system, with the engine running it should be possible to turn the wheel in both directions with 1 finger.

Mine had stiff steering which ended up being a bent rack. Apparently they are weak and can get damaged from hitting a kerb etc. Luckily it's the housing that bends and is generic between C5s. So you can get the RS6 specific internals built into a more easily available housing.

[Shoppinit]

That's good to know. Who did yours?

[Felix2566]

I had mine rebuilt by Western Power Steering, just outside Bristol.

Good luck getting the rack out, its not an easy job!