Best Audi A8 Replacing The A8 Ability Steering Rack
Title : Best Audi A8 Replacing The A8 Ability Steering Rack
link : Best Audi A8 Replacing The A8 Ability Steering Rack
Best Audi A8 Replacing The A8 Ability Steering Rack
Updated 2004-02-25
 Power steering fluid leaking from boot! Notice dark-brown color. Possible contamination. | If you lot receive got whatever leak of powerfulness steering fluid from your steering rack boots (the condom squeeze box cone sticking into the upper business office of the front end cycle wells on most A-series Audi's), chances are an internal seal inwards the steering rack assembly has gone bad in addition to the fluid is collecting inwards the boot. Once the kicking fills amongst fluid, it seeps past times the kicking ties nigh the necktie rod ends or it gushes out equally the boots compress when the auto is turning. Power steering fluid for the A8's are ordinarily green, although if contaminated (major campaign of leaks), they tin accept whatever color. There are a pair ways to confirm. One, is to endeavor loosening the kicking clamps in addition to force the kicking inwards, towards the rack assembly to compress the mass of the kicking in addition to powerfulness steering fluid should gush out. Another, is to sentry the kicking piece some other mortal starts the car, in addition to piece inwards park, turns the steering cycle lock to lock. The higher force per unit of measurement area of a running heart amongst the steering cycle at 1 extreme, equally good equally the resulting kicking compression, should brand the leak to a greater extent than apparent. If you lot are false in addition to the boots are dry, you lot tin re-clamp the boots amongst plastic ties. |
I'd recommend going for a remanufactured rack to salvage some money. Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 novel rack from the Audi dealer costs over $1200, in addition to a remanufactured 1 tin live had for upward to 1/4 of that price, non including inwardness deposit. You may observe that racks come upward inwards a "long rack" in addition to "short rack" variety. The "short rack" for the A8 usually has alone the steering rack itself amongst the boots roofing the included inner necktie rods. Some offering "long racks", however, that also include a steering damper in addition to a Servotronic module already bolted on, which may practice goodness from replacement in addition to would otherwise receive got to live transferred from the sometime rack.
An additional thought is to supersede the necktie rod ends, if you've non already done therefore inwards the final 50-60k miles, since they wearable out over time. They are relatively cheap in addition to you'll already live paying for a steering alignment after this procedure, therefore mightiness equally good supersede the necktie rods, too.
What practice I need?
The next is the physical care for for replacing the steering rack on a '99 Audi A8 4.2, though the rack is the same from model years '97-'99, in addition to the physical care for should live the similar, if non the same.
The physical care for should accept 4-8 hours, though I believe the recommended billing fourth dimension was 8 hours. Due to the hard access to some of the bolts, it volition accept some travail in addition to patience. Not actually for the timid. I would strongly recommend having some other mortal to assist, in addition to at to the lowest degree 1 of you lot should receive got a long, skinny arm to sacrifice.
Here are some of the tools you'll need, based on what I've used. The measurements inwards parenthesis are the guess conversions of the ones I've used -- they may or may non work. Heck, they may fifty-fifty live rare in addition to hard to find, similar the 16mm combination wrench:
|
Replacement parts:
|
Misc:
|
Overall Diagram:
Deceivingly simple, yes? Maybe if the residuum of the auto wasn't built, yet.**
The 3 back upward bolts. Love them. Hate them.**
Procedure:
1. Disconnect steering u-joint.
With auto off, twist steering cycle until it locks equally unopen to horizontal equally possible.You tin either cutting away the flap higher upward the brake pedal (kind extreme) on the underside of the steering link or motion it plenty out of the way to give you lot skillful access. For access, take driver side lower cut down in addition to diagnostics port (use flat-head screwdriver to release the 3 locking tabs from front end human face upward of trim), twist left cut down bracket out of way (only demand to unscrew 2 closest bolts, instruct out far 3rd bolt inwards house to deed equally an axis), trace air duct slightly forrad until it hits the bracket you lot just moved. Laying inwards the driver side human foot good looking up, you lot should live able to instruct a skillful peep at the steering column u-joint.
 Pull out plastic cut down pieces past times hand: below steering cycle in addition to strips on either side of wheel. |  Unscrew in addition to take the cut down pieces. Disconnect diagnostics port. |
 Unscrew 2 of 3 bolts on metallic cut down support. |  Unscrew in addition to trace air duct forward. |
 Should let on the steering assembly u-joint. (Shown here, already disconnected.) |  Note, despite lack of nut inwards diagram, the nut actually does exist.** |
After loosening in addition to removing bolts, the articulation tin live pulled apart. However, endeavor non to motion the steering column to a greater extent than than necessary to motion the linkage out of the way. Just a shade inwards towards the steering cycle in addition to downward towards the flooring should give plenty clearance to continue. Too far inwards in addition to you lot could disengage the gears within steering assembly, which is bad, real bad -- tin you lot say novel steering assembly?
|
2. Pull condom seal unopen to the rack's rotary valve forrad into the driver compartment.
 Pull out condom seal. | Having an assistant force the seal from the driver's side cycle good helps greatly. |
3. Clamp hoses connected to powerfulness steering fluid reservoir.
 Clamp both hoses coming from reservoir. | Use Audi's official hose clamps (VAG 3094) or fashion 1 yourself. For example, pocket-sized C-clamps without whatever abrupt contact edges. Or vice grips amongst the jaws duct taped to comprehend the abrupt edges. |
4. Lift car.
Both sides if on blocks. Lift a footling towards the auto bring upward from the existing condom reinforced elevator points past times the cycle well, therefore you lot tin position the blocks on elevator points. Be wary of brake lines (and respite fluid lines, if applicable) nigh the elevator points.
5. Remove both wheels.
Not completely necessary, but makes life MUCH easier. And you'll demand all the rest you lot tin get.I noticed mutual frigidity atmospheric condition makes the plastic lug caps brittle. Why plastic lug caps instead of solid bolt heads?
6. Disconnect both necktie rod ends.
 Disconnect necktie rod halt from cycle bearing housing. (Shown amongst vertical alignment bolt already removed.) | You tin disconnect it from the cycle bearing housing or twist it out of the rack's necktie rod. I recollect disconnecting it from the bearing housing makes things easier equally it is 1 less matter to maneuver unopen to when removing the rack. Note that both bolts demand to live completely removed for the necktie rod to live removed. Sometimes you lot tin but trace downward on the necktie rod in addition to it volition skid out. If it's a fleck to a greater extent than stubborn in addition to you lot demand to hammer the necktie rod down, don't hitting the circular condom dust boots. Instead, role a tie-rod separator (pickle fork) or hammer at the larger diameter stem, just inwards front end of the threads. It shouldn't accept to a greater extent than that a pair low-cal whacks.
|
7. Remove oestrus shield on rider side.
 Remove aluminum oestrus shield. | The pop-in inner attachment indicate on the steering damper is a hurting to "pop" off, therefore it may live easier to foremost unbolt therefore slide outwards towards you lot until it slides off of the larger diameter piston housing onto the smaller diameter piston shaft.
|
8. Remove foam insulating panel at within bring upward of driver's side cycle well, unopen to the rack's rotary valve.
 Remove foam insulating panel.** | Probably non necessary, but considering the tiny margin of infinite to trace the rack later, it's real recommended. Be careful when pulling, the foam tin rip. The large circle disc-like nuts on the upper screws ordinarily require a especial tool, but they're non on tight. Just twist them amongst fingers in addition to friction, or role a apartment blade screwdriver.
|
9. Disconnect high force per unit of measurement area fluid lines from rack past times removing both banjo bolts.
 Remove bolts 1 in addition to 2. Make for sure you lot also take seals, 2 for each bolt.** | For easier clean-up, house an sometime sponge just below the bolts prior to loosening to choose direct hold of falling fluid from rotary valve. You tin also take hose bracket just behind the strut boundary to allow the hoses hang out of the way from the pocket-sized opening allotted to the rack.
|
10. Loosen foremost rack back upward bolt to the auto front, drivers side of the rack in addition to pinion.
 Tight, but accessible foremost rack back upward bolt. Loosen. | Small space, but easiest to remove. Use fine-tooth rachet. May desire to hold it inwards to brand 3rd bolt removal easier.
|
11. Loosen minute rack back upward bolt.
 Put my mitt where??? | The easiest house I've found to this horrid bolt was to become inwards from the top of the engine compartment. Remove the intake air duct betwixt the air cleaner in addition to the throttle valve. I telephone weep upward this novel opening into the nighttime unknown: Satan's ***hole. It is total of abrupt teeth in addition to is hungry for your arm! Actually, it has 1 tooth, but it's vicious, I tell you lot -- it's 1 of the electrical connectors. I guess 1 COULD file the plastic corner downward a bit. But that's no fun. Insert mitt past times wrist to mid-forearm into the hole, curl wrist unopen to therefore mitt bends toward bring upward of car, in addition to grope for the back upward bolt unopen to the rider side bring upward of the hole. Insert homo-erotic joke here. Once the bolt location is established, insert a rachet wrench amongst proper hex fleck amongst mitt into hole. It volition live hard to concord the wrench against gravity's trace in addition to to twist the wrench at the same time, therefore an assistant is recommended. |
 Teasingly in-accessible minute rack back upward bolt from assistant's view. | Assistant tin sentry through rider cycle good in addition to direct hand. Also, assistant tin attain inwards in addition to secure the rachet caput onto the bolt equally you lot (try to) plough the rachet grip from the engine compartment hole. Feel the pain. Embrace the pain. Know Satan's ***hole.
|
12. Remove 3rd rack back upward bolt.
 Look upward along the outer border of that dark respite subframe. | Easiest approach I've found is to creep nether the driver's side cycle good in addition to await along the border of the subframe closest to the cycle well, upward through the side of the engine block. You'll demand a u-joint rachet adapter (we taped it a pair times for stiffer resistance) in addition to at to the lowest degree a human foot long extension to instruct at this bolt. Viewed from the driver's side cycle well, it's basically on the far side of the rotary valve, unopen to the rack shaft. Check the steering rack back upward bolt diagram at the showtime of this physical care for listing for the position. The bolt hole also obviously visible on the moving-picture demonstrate of the Servotronic valve module later on inwards this physical care for list. Again, assistant tin sentry through the driver's side cycle good just behind the banjo bolts, assist direct, in addition to offering sort words of encouragement or bitter cynicism.
|
13. Remove the previously loosened minute rack back upward bolt.
14. Remove the previously loosened foremost rack back upward bolt.
15. Partially slide out rack.
 Partially removed rack to expose the Servotronic module. | Slide out rack past times the rotary valve, until you lot receive got decent access to the Servotronic module without extending the attached module cable besides much. When trying to instruct the rotary valve past times the cycle good frame, twist the rack counter-clockwise in addition to align the pinion butt amongst the footling "bite" taken out of the frame on the lower car-front side of the opening. Might accept a footling jiggling, equally the steering damper likes to choose direct hold of on inner frame elements. Watch that you lot don't choose direct hold of on cables in addition to hoses. |
16. Remove or Disconnect the Servotronic module.
 The bring upward of the rotary valve in addition to the Servotronic module. | If your replacement rack already has a Servotronic module connected, don't worry most removing the module in addition to just disconnect the module cable. To practice this, you'll receive got to take the driver's side inner plastic cycle good liner (rear) to access the cable connection. Follow the existing cable from the Servotronic module to observe the connector in addition to disconnect. To supersede the module, start at the human face upward of the module. There are 4 screws, 2 are Torx in addition to 2 are Allen. Remove ONLY the Allen ones. Mine were on TIGHT in addition to I ended upward stripping the tiny Allen hole, therefore I had to hack-saw a line into the bolt caput in addition to therefore used a measure flat-head screw socket. Pull module out.
|
17. Slide out rack all the way.
Watch that you lot don't choose direct hold of on cables in addition to hoses.
18. Transfer the sometime steering damper to the novel rack.
 Steering damper, parts 14-18.*** | If your replacement rack already has a steering damper... good then, aren't nosotros special... skip to adjacent step. Otherwise, you'll receive got to transfer the sometime steering damper on your broken rack to the replacement rack. Try non to twist the steering damper (#17) piston shaft piece loosening the piston halt nut (#14). Instead, plough the piston halt nut piece asset the washer nut (#16) still. The condom washers in addition to washer nut (both #16 inwards the diagram) are both almost black, but await closely: the nut is there. Note which halt of the steering damper faces towards the rack shaft earlier unbolting (#18) it to transfer to the novel rack.
|
19. Center the novel rack using the centering hole in addition to centering bolt.
I didn't receive got the especial centering screw (VAG 1907), therefore I just watched through the centering hole for the "divot" on the rack shaft in addition to therefore noted the length of the kicking (the kicking clamp to inner necktie rod halt on driver's side) in addition to seat of the u-joint steering stalk at the centered state. There is a "cut-out" on the stalk that allows a bolt to concord the u-joint, which should live pointing straight upward when rack is centered.Or observe some other way to optic the replacement steering rack after it is position inwards (see inwards later on step).
Then transferred over the sometime screw plug (with lock-tite) from the sometime rack.
|
20. Slide inwards novel rack business office way to re-attach Servotronic module.
Try non to trace or force on the necktie rods piece putting inwards novel rack.If your replacement rack already has a Servotronic module connected, reconnect the cable to the connector in addition to supersede the cycle good liner. It mightiness live a skillful thought to duct record the cable to the cycle good to minimize cable vibration (noise).
If you lot demand to transfer the sometime Servotronic module to the replacement rack, directly is a skillful fourth dimension to supersede Servotronic's fluid strainer in addition to o-rings. The o-rings become straight on the nipple in addition to the strainer just goes into the receiving hole. I confess I alone changed the strainer -- my novel rack happened to come upward amongst one.
(See higher upward for bolt/nut specs.)
21. Slide inwards novel rack all the way.
Try non to trace or force on the necktie rods. The steering damper likes to choose direct hold of on inner frame elements. May receive got to jiggle or elevator it past times them. Much easier amongst 2 people.
22. Attach in addition to tighten (lock-tite) foremost back upward bolt.
Assistant asset upward rack makes it easier. (See higher upward for bolt/nut specs.)
23. Attach in addition to tighten (lock-tite) minute back upward bolt.
Assistant asset upward rack makes it easier. Also, assistant could concord the rachet caput on the bolt through the cycle well, piece you lot swing the grip through Satan's ***hole. (See higher upward for bolt/nut specs.)
24. Attach in addition to tighten (lock-tite) 3rd back upward bolt.
Get it on the same way you lot got it off, from nether the car. To arrive easier to hold the bolt on the hex driver, record the bolt caput to the driver caput plenty that the bolt volition remain on for the trip, but non therefore much it volition non come upward off amongst a skillful pull. (See higher upward for bolt/nut specs.)
25. Re-tighten back upward bolts inwards the same order.
(See higher upward for bolt/nut specs.)
26. Flush powerfulness steering heart of sometime fluid.
Put provide high force per unit of measurement area hose halt (with J-shaped connection, non the coiled one) inwards bucket. Open fluid reservoir cap in addition to release hose clamp from powerfulness steering fluid reservoir's lower provide hose. This should slow empty out the reservoir in addition to provide hoses of the sometime fluid into the bucket. Re-clamp provide hose connected to the reservoir when finished.Fill reservoir amongst fluid. Put plastic pocketbook over coiled high force per unit of measurement area hose halt where it was disconnected from the rack to incorporate the high force per unit of measurement area fluid spew. Remove clamp from upper reservoir hose feeding powerfulness steering pump. Place bucket unopen to plastic bag. Poke hole inwards bottom of plastic pocketbook to drain sprayed fluid into bucket. Have assistant start auto in addition to plough off auto after 1 minute of run time. Repeat fill/purge until you've ejected most a liter of fluid. Re-clamp same upper hose from reservoir feeding powerfulness steering pump.
Even though the hoses aren't connected to the rack in addition to this physical care for could likely live done earlier putting the novel rack in, I waited until after getting the novel rack inwards to purge, because I wasn't for sure what starting the auto amongst a disconnected Servotronic module would practice to the module, or the diagnostic computer. Figured starting the auto amongst a connected module would live better.
27. Re-attach high force per unit of measurement area lines.
Use novel aluminum seals on both sides of both banjo bolts. Note that the business office position out for both lines may live the same, but the banjo bolts in addition to seals are of DIFFERENT size. So, brand for sure the parts guy gives you lot 2 seals of each size. (See higher upward for bolt/nut specs.)
28. Re-attach foam barrier on driver's side.
(See higher upward for bolt/nut specs.)
29. Re-attach oestrus shield on rider side.
Bolt foremost in addition to therefore just attain inwards in addition to "pop" the other halt onto the steering damper piston housing. (See higher upward for bolt/nut specs.)
30. Push condom seal dorsum unopen to the rack's rotary valve showing through the driver's human foot compartment.
Verify skillful positioning past times looking through driver's side cycle good in addition to adjust unopen to cervix of rotary valve if necessary.
31. Verify centered steering rack in addition to re-attach steering assembly's u-joint.
There are a pair ways to verify that the steering rack is centered.The manufacturing works life recommend way is amongst the especial Audi centering screw (VAG 1907), which directly has to live removed in addition to replaced amongst the screw plug. As hard equally it was to instruct to the back upward bolts, if you lot chose to become this route, I tin alone offering 2 words: skillful luck.
Or stair out kicking distance in addition to compare to prior notes to guess optic steering seat in addition to cheque rack's u-joint connecting stem. The "cut-out" on the stalk should live pointing upward when rack is dead-straight. Use wrench to gently plough stalk into proper seat to mate amongst u-joint, since steering cycle never seems to lock inwards dead-straight position. Might live easier if steering lock is disengaged?
Or role a wrench or pliers to gently plough the rack's u-joint connecting stalk from lock to lock, counting the position out of revolutions. Reverse away from 1 of the lock positions one-half the total revolutions in addition to you lot should live centered.
Or role your ain method.
As you lot attach the u-joint bolt, annotation that because of the cam device inwards the u-joint bolt head, you'll receive got to accept especial steps inwards tightening:
- Insert bolt into u-joint in addition to force inwards fully. Rotate therefore that the cam engages the flange.
- Thread nut fully onto the bolt in addition to tighten until just barely snug.
- Rotate the BOLT caput to tighten the flange using the cam device, piece keeping nut still.
- Fully tighten the nut without allowing the bolt to turn.
(See higher upward for bolt/nut specs.)
32. Tape-marker seat of tie-rod seat bolt on sometime rack in addition to transfer to novel rack.
Try to live equally accurate equally possible, but don't sweat it besides much -- you're going to receive got to instruct an alignment, regardless.
|
33. Re-attach necktie rod to cycle bearing housing.
The necktie rod halt stalk that slips UPWARDS into the clamp of the cycle bearing housing has a "cut-out" portion. Align the cut-out share of the stalk therefore that it faces the horizontal bolt hole; it volition live hard to position the horizontal bolt inwards without this properly aligned. This is also a security characteristic therefore that the necktie rod volition non skid out should the bolt loosen.Replace the self-locking nut. Notice that the horizontal bolt caput has alone 1 straight edge. Align this properly amongst the straight border beveled into the dorsum of the cycle bearing housing. Best to but align the bolt caput in addition to press against the housing, the beveled border volition assist the bolt remain soundless piece you lot thread the self-locking nut.
(See higher upward for bolt/nut specs.)
34. Clean.
Learn to appreciate brake cleaner. WD-40 works well, too. But don't role it on surfaces that rely on friction, similar bolt threads, necktie rod stems, in addition to the brake system.Clean in addition to dry out areas unopen to pump, rack, in addition to hoses to brand leaks easier to spot.
35. Bleed steering organisation of air in addition to cheque for leaks.
The Bentley repair manual recommends the next physical care for to bleed the powerfulness steering system:- Check hydraulic crude oil degree in addition to top off if necessary.
- Raise vehicle until front end wheels are free.
- Start engine briefly. (max. 2 seconds) The heart must non depict inwards whatever air, the steering cycle must non [be] moved nether whatever circumstances. Waiting fourth dimension betwixt private engine starts approx. thirty sec.
- Check hydraulic crude oil degree in addition to top off if necessary.
- Repeat [above] physical care for until the crude oil degree remains constant.
- Turn steering cycle from lock to lock 10 times amongst engine switched off.
- Check hydraulic crude oil degree in addition to top off if necessary.
- Start engine.
- Turn steering cycle from lock to lock 10 times.
- Check hydraulic crude oil degree in addition to top off if necessary. Any remaining air inwards the steering organisation volition dissipate when driving over the adjacent 10-20 km (6-12 miles).
36. Re-attach wheels.
Don't forget the plastic lug caps.
37. Lower car.
38. Check 1 time to a greater extent than for leaks.
Check the powerfulness steering system:- Start engine.
- Turn steering cycle from lock to lock 10 times.
- Check hydraulic crude oil degree in addition to top off if necessary.
- Check all hoses, pump, in addition to rack for leaks.
39. Test drive in addition to cheque for leaks.
Nothing high-performance, heed you. Your cycle alignment is most probable way outta whack in addition to volition compromise your powerfulness to accept abrupt turns at high speed. Not to cite tread wear. Just drive unopen to the block. Listen for additional strange noises. Feel for whatever additional strange vibrations.
40. Get alignment.
Dealer charges most $150-170, depending on his mood. Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 respected mechanic 1 time told me that Audi's (and other import luxury cars) receive got a complex alignment physical care for that also requires tools that your local JiffyLube won't have. JiffyLube tin laid your steering cycle to indicate straight equally your tires indicate straight, but at that spot is to a greater extent than involved. Not for sure what the "more involved" means, exactly... but I've been going to the dealer for the alignment, anyway.
41. Shower. Sleep.
Great job! Have some beer. Admire how the gashes on your arms forcefulness out inwards the shower. Nothing a footling to a greater extent than beer can't fix, eh?Thus the article Best Audi A8 Replacing The A8 Ability Steering Rack
You are now reading the article Best Audi A8 Replacing The A8 Ability Steering Rack with the link address https://newaudisportscar.blogspot.com/2019/01/best-audi-a8-replacing-a8-ability.html