Steering Wheel Squeaking

[JB616]

I would like to know if anyone else is experiencing this problem...

My car went to the shop on Friday to fix a very annoying squeaking sound from the steering column. The noise would happen at any time I turned the wheel, in any direction. It did not matter if I was in just a very slight turn or a full lock-to-lock turn. This is the second time my car went to the shop for the same noise. On the first trip the dealership told me they lubricated right where the steering wheel mounts to the shaft in the steering column and performed TSB-37-13-09 for the steering unit. The sound went away for about two weeks and then came back, even worse. I took the car back Friday and the paperwork states that they lubricated the steering shaft at the firewall grommet and performed a recall for the steering column but no information about that is given. The sound went away for 1 day and yesterday it came back yet again. Do I have to live with this issue or does anyone have a recommendation if I can lubricate an area of the steering system instead of continuing with failed dealer attempts?

[agent47]

I would like to know if anyone else is experiencing this problem...

My car went to the shop on Friday to fix a very annoying squeaking sound from the steering column. The noise would happen at any time I turned the wheel, in any direction. It did not matter if I was in just a very slight turn or a full lock-to-lock turn. This is the second time my car went to the shop for the same noise. On the first trip the dealership told me they lubricated right where the steering wheel mounts to the shaft in the steering column and performed TSB-37-13-09 for the steering unit. The sound went away for about two weeks and then came back, even worse. I took the car back Friday and the paperwork states that they lubricated the steering shaft at the firewall grommet and performed a recall for the steering column but no information about that is given. The sound went away for 1 day and yesterday it came back yet again. Do I have to live with this issue or does anyone have a recommendation if I can lubricate an area of the steering system instead of continuing with failed dealer attempts?

Long going issue with C7's. I have had that issue. Easiest solution - adjust the position of your steering wheel a tad bit higher or lower than the current. It should calm the noises down.

[Xtek]

I had this issue with my 2013 A6 and 3 visits to the dealership and they couldn't seem to fix it even though there was a TSB for it.

[lv2000]

Mine did it on my s7 as we'll but not on the a6. There is a tsb now my car had column replaced and that didn't fix it the actual fix is a special silicone spray they spray around. Column boot going to engine bay since that it's not made a noise it's been 7 months now. Or just adjust column up like other people said

[MLD8]

I had the same issue and i just got the car back this morning for its second lubrication. I had the car for about 7 months/15,000km when it first happened. The dealer lubricated it and commented that I had set the steering quite low although it was in the middle of the range. It felt like it was rubbing against something but it almost went away completely since the first lube and came back approximately 10 days later although it was much more mild the second time around. This morning at the dealer it was completely fixed but i suspect it will come back in a week or two.

[3miked]

Mine did it on my s7 as we'll but not on the a6. There is a tsb now my car had column replaced and that didn't fix it the actual fix is a special silicone spray they spray around. Column boot going to engine bay since that it's not made a noise it's been 7 months now. Or just adjust column up like other people said

Mine is doing it bad in the morning. What does tsb stand for? Is that a recall?

[Pip]

Mine is doing it bad in the morning. What does tsb stand for? Is that a recall?

Technical Service Bulletin (Directive from Audi HQ)

Usually to update software or change components (eg. S6/7 Fuel Line replacement)

[Xtek]

I had this problem with my C7 A6 and they were never able to remedy it. :\

[3miked]

Technical Service Bulletin (Directive from Audi HQ)

Usually to update software or change components (eg. S6/7 Fuel Line replacement)

Thanks Pip, I when ahead and adjusted the wheel a little and it went away. But I should be able to put the damn steering wheel wherever I want! An $85k dollar car should be flawless for years in my opinion.

[3miked]

I had this problem with my C7 A6 and they were never able to remedy it. :\

My A6 did it too. Hey what's up with the Vag-com? What does that do?

[dnbdamian]

My steering has a bump feeling to it. And it happens at center. So it's a pain to keep it in a straight line when it happens. It's not always though. I do hear a "whine" when I park and turn the wheel fast. I have stage 2 on my a6. So I'm procrastinating taking her in. Is the steering wheel a non issue on the s6?

[Xtek]

My A6 did it too. Hey what's up with the Vag-com? What does that do?

It allows you to do some mods to your car. I've disabled the front amber lights that are always on in the US. I've also enabled lap timer (which has a built in boost gauge and shift light). I can roll down and up my windows with my key fob, etc.

[Xtek]

My steering has a bump feeling to it. And it happens at center. So it's a pain to keep it in a straight line when it happens. It's not always though. I do hear a "whine" when I park and turn the wheel fast. I have stage 2 on my a6. So I'm procrastinating taking her in. Is the steering wheel a non issue on the s6?

A6 started getting the problem after about 8 months, have had the S6 for 7 so we'll see. But not yet.

[3miked]

It allows you to do some mods to your car. I've disablyed the front amber lights that are always on in the US. I've also enabled lap timer (which has a built in boost gauge and shift light). I can roll down and up my windows with my key fob, etc.

Yeah that is cool! I just read up on all the mods that can be done. I would definitely like to get ahold of one of those unfortunately nobody around here has an S6 much less a vag-com. How much did you pay for that?

[JB616]

http://store.ross-tech.com/shop/VCHUC.html

Should be the one for you :)

My squeak is back. Raised the wheel up and it helped, for awhile. Thinking of popping the steering wheel off following the instructions given when you buy the special order wheels and see if I can lubricate anything in the area of the squeak. Also have a really odd rattle sound coming from the dash cluster area too.


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[3miked]

http://store.ross-tech.com/shop/VCHUC.html

Should be the one for you :)

My squeak is back. Raised the wheel up and it helped, for awhile. Thinking of popping the steering wheel off following the instructions given when you buy the special order wheels and see if I can lubricate anything in the area of the squeak. Also have a really odd rattle sound coming from the dash cluster area too.


Sent from my iPhone

Thanks! 350$ ouch. Yeah I just traded my a6 for s6 and it has the same damn squeak. I raised up column a little bit and it went away but I like it all the way down so I'll eventually take it to audi and make them take care of it. I read someone had audi end up replacing the whole steering shaft. It that's the permanent fix I'll make em do it.

[Nabizzy]

My RS7 does this too, so I guess its something across the entire line. I will try the raise wheel thing.

[BrianV]

My car with 27K miles (Sold in May 2013) just started doing this last night. Interestingly the weather had just gotten quite warm here over this weekend. I emailed my Audi dealer to see what they want to do.

FWIW, I did move the wheel column a bit and it didn't make any significant difference. For those interested, this is similar to the sound I have, granted mine isn't quite as bad:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KGYG1gKHP-c

It seems this affects a variety of Audi's and not necessarily just the C7 family.

[cheezItt]

Just dropped off the car for the same issue. Will see what they do to remedy this. This is not acceptable in my eyes. I actually dealt with it for a number of weeks. Hoping it would just stop.

[PBPhantom]

With the change of temps (or coincidence) I'm hearing my column squeak when I first turn on the car and the wheel auto-lowers to my preset. There's no squeaking turning the wheel...only when I tilt (electronic tilt)

Just dropped off the car for the same issue. Will see what they do to remedy this. This is not acceptable in my eyes. I actually dealt with it for a number of weeks. Hoping it would just stop.

[BrianV]

With the change of temps (or coincidence) I'm hearing my column squeak when I first turn on the car and the wheel auto-lowers to my preset. There's no squeaking turning the wheel...only when I tilt (electronic tilt)

I suspect your problem is different. I've heard of actual steering wheel column motors getting noisy/slow/etc. I think our noise is more in the ring gear and actual steering wheel turning mechanism.

My car goes in on Friday, I'll report back.

[CoJoe]

Same issue. Adjusting the tilt a little did make it less noticeable. Still annoying. Had this on my RS5 also, dealer ended up replacing the electro steering unit thingy. Never happened again after that. Haven't had the S7 looked at. Just did a tune right before this started up, wanna have a little time before bringing it in. I'll just turn the music up for now;)


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[flyfishing]

I've go this now. Can I spray some lube into it? It's so dang annoying!

[gk1]

I've go this now. Can I spray some lube into it? It's so dang annoying!

Wow, what a resurrection....
Good for you for searching first. :)

I had this on my old B5 S4 and now on my SQ5.
S4 needed lube on the universal joint of the steering shaft, down by your feet.
On the SQ5 I lubricated the steering shaft area at the firewall grommet and that has worked so far.
Both times using spray lithium grease. (Same can as matter of fact....10 years later....lol)

[flyfishing]

Did you remove any trim to lube it or just stuck in the thin straw and spray :)

(that's what she said?)

[all_kobiwon]

Mine does it, I just turn up the stereo

[gk1]

no trim removal

[flyfishing]

yes that was the answer! The steering shaft near the firewall. I put head down there to hear the squeal and when I put my finger and pushed down on the grommet, the noise went away. lubed with with lithium grease a couple times and boom noise is gone.

[My1st-a6]

Fixed it for me thanks I was getting annoyed I just picked up a 2016 A6 3.0 and that noise started today out of nowhere. She’s going in tomorrow for a few recalls I’ll have them check out this little
Issue as well.

Long going issue with C7's. I have had that issue. Easiest solution - adjust the position of your steering wheel a tad bit higher or lower than the current. It should calm the noises down.

[slocody]

Mine had that problem. Dealer lubed it like 3 times per the tsb, but it kept coming back in a couple of weeks. They finally gave in and just replaced the steering column and it's been fine ever since.

[mike0819]

Hi can you please help me, how do I lub the steering shaft for audi s7?

Do I put wd40, and where is it located?

no trim removal

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