Steering rack adjustment - how much is too much?

[nihil]

As the title says.

I just adjusted my steering rack, but this one is a bit different from racks I've worked on in the past. Typically there is a jam nut around an adjustment screw, and they're quite easy to adjust properly by feel. On this rack however, it's a large hex bolt/cam with no apparent locking mechanism (bentley didn't mention one). It feels like a nylon or rubber lined lock nut when turning, and you don't get any feel for what the gear lash is doing at all.

The only thing the bentley says about checking it, is that during a test drive the steering should center itself after taking a turn. It does, but I'm not overly confident in that assessment. Setting gear lash is an art, and this just didn't feel that artsy.

Thoughts?

[nihil]

Bump?

[nihil]

Bump again. I saw that diagnosticator posted recently ;)

[diagnosticator]

The adjustment is not critical for rack/pinion lash. If it is to tight, the steering will bind up off center, L/R, more or less. Tighten until
steering effort just starts increasing, engine OFF, Key ON, front wheels lifted with car supported on jack stands. Next ,test drive around the block. Steering force will be higher nearing L/R full lock, but must self center from Low speed L/R hard near full lock when you remove your hands from the SW mid turn.

[nihil]

Thanks. That's pretty much what I did last night except I used ramps, but it's been bugging the crap out of me that it didn't feel "normal" for a steering rack adjustment. It only took about 20-25 degrees of rotation before the knock went away and the bolt/cam needed a (slightly) noticeably higher amount of torque to turn. I did some driving today and it feels fine, returns as it should, doesn't knock, etc...

Do you know about the internals of the rack? I'm curious as to how it's set up so that such a broad adjustment can bring lash into correct tolerances. Spring preloaded cam or shaft maybe?

[mrbacardi35]

where is this bolt to adjust?

Thanks. That's pretty much what I did last night except I used ramps, but it's been bugging the crap out of me that it didn't feel "normal" for a steering rack adjustment. It only took about 20-25 degrees of rotation before the knock went away and the bolt/cam needed a (slightly) noticeably higher amount of torque to turn. I did some driving today and it feels fine, returns as it should, doesn't knock, etc...

Do you know about the internals of the rack? I'm curious as to how it's set up so that such a broad adjustment can bring lash into correct tolerances. Spring preloaded cam or shaft maybe?

[nihil]

It's on the bottom of the steering rack, 18mm if I remember correctly. It has a rubber plug in the middle (no need to remove it). Use jack stands instead of ramps.

[mrbacardi35]

what is the adjustment gonna do? sorry for the noob question. i am really curious because i got a play on my steering.

It's on the bottom of the steering rack, 18mm if I remember correctly. It has a rubber plug in the middle (no need to remove it). Use jack stands instead of ramps.

[nihil]

It adjusts lash (and possibly pre-load on this model?) inside the steering rack. If you know your tie rod ends are good, and you get a clunk/pop when you jiggle the wheel it's either the steering rack, or the universal joint(s) on the steering shaft itself.

If you aren't sure, jack it up, mark the location of its current adjustment, and tighten it down a little bit. It helps to have someone in the car jiggling the wheel while you adjust it. If it is the steering rack, the noise will go away as you tighten.

[mrbacardi35]

its not making any noise. when i looked early today, it looks like the universal joint is the culprit. is there a way to adjust or make it tight? i have about an inch of play before the wheel starts to move i steer.

[nihil]

Replacing the joint is about the only reasonable way to fix that.

[mrbacardi35]

how hard is it to replace the joints?

[nihil]

While I've never replaced them on an Audi, I would imagine the hardest part is just getting to them and/or clearing the other parts around it out of the way to have enough room to work. When I get back (running out for food) I'll see what eBahn says about it.

[dirtybrd]

As long as it doesn't bind on return it's fine. I've had to adjust lash on quite a few racks before.

[absolutegtr]

bump.

When I get my B6 back on the road, I want to try this. I get a nice clunk from the steering when I jiggle the wheel back and forth. Not only that, but I think my steering feel is too loose for an Audi. My power steering rack is indeed leaking but barely. My tie rod ends are in good shape too.

So tightening said bolt will tighten up the overall feel of turning?

[nihil]

So tightening said bolt will tighten up the overall feel of turning?

It wont be an overall effect. It only adjusts to compensate for play. So say you start turning the steering wheel and it moves 10 degrees before actually turning the wheels and/or makes a clunking noise when it does start turning the wheels. That would be what this adjustment is for.

[absolutegtr]

It wont be an overall effect. It only adjusts to compensate for play. So say you start turning the steering wheel and it moves 10 degrees before actually turning the wheels and/or makes a clunking noise when it does start turning the wheels. That would be what this adjustment is for.

I got you now. That should remedy some of my problem.

I still need to figure out why my power steering is so loose. I dunno....its not that it is loose, but rather there is too much power assist than I want.

[nihil]

I got you now. That should remedy some of my problem.

I still need to figure out why my power steering is so loose. I dunno....its not that it is loose, but rather there is too much power assist than I want.

I think you pretty well nailed it on the head. When I had mine in for recall work they gave me a B8 (I think, perhaps B7) loaner. Whichever it was it had the new electronic steering rack, and I really liked the way it felt. So much so that I even posted a thread asking if the racks were interchangeable. What it boils down to is that I find the current level of power assist to be a bit too much for my liking. My guess is you feel the same way.

[absolutegtr]

I think you pretty well nailed it on the head. When I had mine in for recall work they gave me a B8 (I think, perhaps B7) loaner. Whichever it was it had the new electronic steering rack, and I really liked the way it felt. So much so that I even posted a thread asking if the racks were interchangeable. What it boils down to is that I find the current level of power assist to be a bit too much for my liking. My guess is you feel the same way.

I definitely feel the same way.

AZ member (alexka - or something like that) installed a B7 rack, which is speed-sensative....but thats all I know, lol.

I have only driven two B6's in my life. Mine and Boro's (BOPOH). His steering was extremely tight. I loved it. The only thing I know is that he was running brake fluid through his power steering system. When I get my car on the road I am going to give DOT3 fluid a try....maybe it has a thicker viscosity than power steering fluid....

[mrbacardi35]

i did a full turn on that adjustment nut and still no difference. should i keep turning it?

It wont be an overall effect. It only adjusts to compensate for play. So say you start turning the steering wheel and it moves 10 degrees before actually turning the wheels and/or makes a clunking noise when it does start turning the wheels. That would be what this adjustment is for.

[nihil]

I definitely feel the same way.

AZ member (alexka - or something like that) installed a B7 rack, which is speed-sensative....but thats all I know, lol.

I have only driven two B6's in my life. Mine and Boro's (BOPOH). His steering was extremely tight. I loved it. The only thing I know is that he was running brake fluid through his power steering system. When I get my car on the road I am going to give DOT3 fluid a try....maybe it has a thicker viscosity than power steering fluid....

My only concern with that would be making the pump work harder, raising potential for premature failure. I'd like to know how it works out though.

[nihil]

i did a full turn on that adjustment nut and still no difference. should i keep turning it?

What I did was tighten it down just until I felt a noticeable difference in the amount of torque required to turn it, then back it off 5 or 10 degrees.

I'm guessing with this steering rack design, the tighter you have it while still having steering center itself when coming out of a turn at low speed is the sweet spot.

[mrbacardi35]

i guess i will put my car on jacks this weekend and tighten it more then.

[captainplanet]

This is excellent information - I'm definitely going to try this adjustment. I've always felt the steering wheel doesn't center itself as solidly as I'd like, but I previously just chalked that up to the caster angle of the front wheels. The steering does feel a bit loose, so it would be good to tighten it up.

My car tracks slightly to the right, and after taking it to an alignment shop where they said the alignment looked good, suggested adjusting the steering rack as the next step.

[captainplanet]

Ok, I tried adjusting the steering rack screw bolt today and I think it is successful. I turned it until it became harder to turn, then backed off just a tad. A test drive through the neighborhood confirmed the results. Excellent adjustment. Now to see how it affects my highway tracking.

[nihil]

Glad it helped. Highway should be fine if low speed is. When on the highway there is more force trying to center the steering (assuming your toe is set correctly). Even after adjusting it, and seeing the results long term (works fine), I'm still a bit thrown off at how vague the adjustment itself is. I prefer being able to feel the lash/mesh itself so I -know- it's right.

I have only driven two B6's in my life. Mine and Boro's (BOPOH). His steering was extremely tight. I loved it. The only thing I know is that he was running brake fluid through his power steering system. When I get my car on the road I am going to give DOT3 fluid a try....maybe it has a thicker viscosity than power steering fluid....

Did you ever try the brake fluid? If so, how did it turn out?

[captainplanet]

Brake fluid in the steering pump? Not I. That's the other poster.

[diagnosticator]

Brake fluid in the power steering system will damage the rack, the pump or both.

[absolutegtr]

Indeed, I did run brake fluid for several months and then switched to ATF and now back to proper P/S fluid.

It all felt the same to he honest.

[diagnosticator]

Indeed, I did run brake fluid for several months and then switched to ATF and now back to proper P/S fluid.

It all felt the same to he honest.

That is amazing, I would not expect brake fluid to lubricate the pump and rack well enough to last several months, besides the possible material/fluid mismatch.

[rarak69]

So i gave this a quick try, the 18mm bolt on my rack is crazy tight with a breaker bar trying to turn it. I PB blasted it a little and tapped around it with a hammer to work it in there.

I was able to loosen it a little bit(trying to break it free) then it would NOT get tighter, even back to where it originally sat. Any thoughts?

And this clunk you guys speak of, is it say if your taking a turn and you feel a clunk in the steering, ive experienced that in either direction, and only when i turn in hard. Tie rods are good, inner and outer. from what i could see control arm Ball joints are fine, however those are hard to diagnose, they will be tight until you take load off of them(suspension).

[Bryceaudis4]

YES!..... I am so glad I found this thread.
Now my problem is that the rack/pinion upper bolts(one under the battery bolt, left side, and one on the driver side under the brake fluid tank) they keep coming loose...... and I am going to try today to put some loctite on there and seee if that fixes the problem......
Any other idea's to check out?
THanks

[doublezero30]

i just had a new steering rack installed, now i get a random squeak turning left (its not constent) and a pop when doing a 90degree right. steering rack, control arms, tie rods, axles are all new within the last 7-8months. could it be an adjustment issue?

[nihil]

YES!..... I am so glad I found this thread.
Now my problem is that the rack/pinion upper bolts(one under the battery bolt, left side, and one on the driver side under the brake fluid tank) they keep coming loose...... and I am going to try today to put some loctite on there and seee if that fixes the problem......
Any other idea's to check out?
THanks

I'd say a drop of loctite would be just the trick for the bolts coming loose. I would use the blue stuff since it will be a bit easier to break loose if you ever need to replace the rack.

[nihil]

i just had a new steering rack installed, now i get a random squeak turning left (its not constent) and a pop when doing a 90degree right. steering rack, control arms, tie rods, axles are all new within the last 7-8months. could it be an adjustment issue?

This adjustment is just for play in the steering wheel, a symptom of which is an audible clunk when changing direction. What you're describing sounds more like a suspension issue, or possibly the steering rack mounting bolts being loose like the poster above you. Have you done ball joints or wheel bearings?

[Spades]

oops wrong thread

[seattlematt]

I have a "rattle" in my steering rack that I have been having trouble identifying. It sounds like it comes from right under the wipers when I turn the wheel in either direction, like something is settling and i can feel it in the steering wheel. This adjustment sounds like it's worth a try! Anyone have a picture or diagram of the location of this bolt and the best way to access it?

[gtijoe]

I have a "rattle" in my steering rack that I have been having trouble identifying. It sounds like it comes from right under the wipers when I turn the wheel in either direction, like something is settling and i can feel it in the steering wheel. This adjustment sounds like it's worth a try! Anyone have a picture or diagram of the location of this bolt and the best way to access it?

I have the exact issue you describe here. Were you able to fix it?

[seattlematt]

nope

[seattlematt]

to be honest, I think adjusting this about 1/10th that I did made the steering feel a little tighter, and the rattle is a little less noticable, but no amount of adjustment completely removed the rattle. I think its' somewhere else.