Brown Steering Fluid

**2002.SLC.A4** · 12-16-2009 09:53 PM

My car has been making slight grinding noises. After topping off the steering fluid (was low) it went away. Today after an oil change its doing slight grinding noises again and my steering fluid is light brown and fizzy.

Whats the deal?

**doublezero30** · 12-16-2009 10:06 PM

a couple things:

1) its fizzy because its got air in the system, probably from being low. to fix that you just make sure its topped off, leave the cap off, start the car, and turn the wheel from lock for lock a few times.

BUT

2) its brown because it need to be flushed.

**2002.SLC.A4** · 12-16-2009 10:35 PM

After the fizz was gone I realized it was way low again (hence the noise). Looks like its leaking somewhere but its not dripping in the garage or driveway anywhere, which it should at the speed that it emptied itself (filled up from below min 3? weeks ago or so).

Where could it be going? Into the steering rack due to faulty seals or anything?

**AudiA4Turbo22** · 12-16-2009 11:06 PM

^^leaky steering racks are extremely common on our cars.

**sean1.8t** · 12-16-2009 11:13 PM

Originally Posted by 2002.SLC.A4

After the fizz was gone I realized it was way low again (hence the noise). Looks like its leaking somewhere but its not dripping in the garage or driveway anywhere, which it should at the speed that it emptied itself (filled up from below min 3? weeks ago or so).

Where could it be going? Into the steering rack due to faulty seals or anything?

into the inner tie rod boot most likely. i'd feel around and squeeze those to see if you can tell there's fluid in one of them

**MikeWire** · 12-16-2009 11:15 PM

Mine does (or did) the same thing until I tried this:

I was doubtful until I notice the steering really lighten up and get more responsive after a couple of days driving. I still need to check to make sure it's not leaking, but I have hopes that this solved the leaky seal problem.

FYI, I was topping my PS res. every couple of months or so. I used about 1/2 the bottle.

"Compatible with all power steering fluids"

**walky_talky20** · 12-16-2009 11:18 PM

It could be leaking out of the end(s) of the rack and filling up the rack boot(s).

EDIT: ^ Beat me to it.

**alpinestar180** · 12-17-2009 12:27 AM

every time my car leaks it all goes down and pools on the splash guard under the engine. take it off and check for fluid first. then worry about taking the boots off.

**PDX04a4** · 12-17-2009 09:30 AM

looks like another victim of a dreaded leaky power steering rack. mine has been leaking for like a year and half, im too damn poor to fix it and i just cant find the point of the leak. im going to try that lucas oil stuff next. i usually just top of my power steering reservoir every month or so.

**rpetral0** · 12-17-2009 10:11 AM

http://www.audizine.com/forum/showthread.php?t=332003 my post (#8) with pics on the bottom...that and a do a flush :P

**PDX04a4** · 12-17-2009 10:38 AM

Originally Posted by rpetral0

http://www.audizine.com/forum/showthread.php?t=332003 my post (#8) with pics on the bottom...that and a do a flush :P

except she drives a 1.8t, not a 3.0. completely different pump and hose system.

**VMRWheels** · 12-17-2009 02:32 PM

I used the stop leak on my car and it worked wonders. I was pretty skeptical at the time since none of these kragen solutions have ever worked for me, but it solved the problem! I think it works by forcing the seals to expand, somebody can correct me if i'm wrong though.