Steering issue S3

[bigtasty]

Hey everyone,

Reporting in with a steering issue that I've started noticing over the last few months. I've had a quick look around the forum and a few other drivers have reported the same:

http://www.audi-sport.net/xf/threads/notchy-steering.181976/

http://www.audi-sport.net/xf/threads/steering-issues.233350/

I first noticed the problem on a rare motorway drive (most of my driving is in town under 40mph). There is a noticeable resistance in the steering dead centre position. It's almost as if the steering is locked in dead centre and an unnatural amount of force is required to overcome it.

It happens when the car has really warmed up. Usually around 30-40 mins of driving, and then its persistent until the car cools down again. It happens in both Comfort and Dynamic modes. It is most noticeable if the car has been on a straight section of road for a few seconds and (for example) you then slowly change lane.

The car is now with Audi for a second time. (They were unable to locate the fault the first time.) This time around I went out for a drive with a technician, and he was able to reproduce the fault. (It's a very hard problem to try and explain so I'm really glad they've actually witnessed the fault).

I noticed from the other posts above that replacing the steering rack has fixed the problem. I have suggested this to Audi, but the seem reluctant to do anything just yet. The latest I've been told is that they are communicating with Audi HQ and will take it from there.

Has anyone else had experience with the above problem? I'm expecting another call from Audi today with an update so of course I will post back with any significant information.

Cheers!

 

[veeeight]

Notchy /Jerky:
http://www.audi-sport.net/xf/threads/steering-issues.233350/
http://www.audi-sport.net/xf/threads/notchy-steering.181976/


Steering goes from light to heavy mid corner:
http://www.audi-sport.net/xf/threads/s3-a3-ride-handling-honest-opinions.240977/page-3#post-2423904
http://www.audi-sport.net/xf/threads/what-dont-you-like-about-your-a3.233458/page-2#post-2332339


The standard rack is "better" than the variable ratio rack:
http://www.audi-sport.net/xf/threads/s3-or-rs3.247001/page-2#post-2491675
http://www.audi-sport.net/xf/threads/sick-s3.241623/#post-2427473
http://www.audi-sport.net/xf/threads/3-weeks-in-and-struggling-with-the-steering.254536/


New rack will solve the notchiness, nothing will resolve the lack of steering feel


(This issue always amazes me, it's not like it's an unknown issue, on the 8P there were 3 iterations of the steering rack to solve similar issues, it's like the 8V team learnt nothing from the 8P team!)

 

[Jiten C]

(This issue always amazes me, it's not like it's an unknown issue, on the 8P there were 3 iterations of the steering rack to solve similar issues, it's like the 8V team learnt nothing from the 8P team!)

unless the 8V team and the 8P team are the same team

 

[Rob2k68]

I noticed the notchiness last weekend whilst on a long trip on the M6 - felt like the wheels were tracking in a sunken bit of tarmac which needed steering effort to pull out of it. I had my tracking done today and that seems to have sorted it out hopefully.

 

[mr gee]

I reported it at my first service and the service honcho told me that it's designed that way. Sigh

 

[veeeight]

Welcome to the Audi Customer Experience.

 

[bigtasty]

An update - car's been in the shop for a week. They reset the tracking and geometry to manufacturers specs and then gave me the car back to test myself. Still has the exact same problem. Car is now booked in again. (Earliest they can book the car in with a courtesy car is a month......). Will keep you updated!

 

[mr gee]

Found this thread. Thoughts?

http://www.audizine.com/forum/showthread.php/533535-2013-Steering-Issues-VAG-COM-Fix