Power Steering Rack Leak

[AudiKilla]

Hello,

So recently my power steering fluid started to leak really bad. If I fill it up to the max, it's low already in a minute and car makes whining sounds turing the wheel.

I went to a mechanic down the street, he lifted it and put it back down said power steering rack is leaking. I asked if I could see the leak and well one thing led to another he got mad and I got mad too, I ended up leaving. I am not going to order a $1000 part if you don't show me the leak...

So anyone here had a leaking power steering rack?

I am only at 75k miles and surprised I have to change the rack already... dam thing cost so much!

[canadianA4B7]

Ask c5vettev6 (not likely spelt correct) in the S4/ rs4 section for a used rack from an S4 or RS4. I spent $250 from him and it’s perfect condition. I ordered new reman from car-part.com I believe it was like $700. The jobs easy enough to do yourself. It will be easier if you get another set of hands to pull the rack out. And if you can gets set of rachet wrenches the one bolt only turns 1/4 turn at a time. I did this complete swap alone in the driveway. Took me about 5-6 hours.

If you are going the rs4 route also ask him for a 642 relay from an RS4. Best option for your issue in all honesty is to upgrade. He sent me a relay the other day my full steering is now RS4 and I hid a cooler where the drivers IC used to be.

[AudiKilla]

I ordered new reman from car-part.com I believe it was like $700.

Thank you for the info, but what do you mean by the above? new reman?

Also will S4 or RS4 will work and fit perfectly in A4?

Is there a different relay for S4 as well or only RS4? What if I keep the same A4 relay, would it still function but not the same as S4/RS4 relay?

[canadianA4B7]

Car-part.com will sell you a re manufactured unit. It’s pricey as diamonds, and there shipping service must have tossed it down 30 flights of stairs. Completely terrible experience.

Everything is all the same rack wise, the relay and the servo unit on the racks are different. Running the RS4 rack with oem 640 relay in ours is fine. The 3 cars all have different steering ratios in order to get to the rs4 ratio you need the rs4 rack and the rs4 relay. You can run the 640 w the newer rack but your ratio will be a mystery number. Doing this should feel slight improvement in steering. A friend is going to plug in the RS4 relay into his A4 and let me know how or if it feels any different. I believe oem A4 is like 16:1 S4 14:1 rs4 12:1 don’t quote me on this I’m referencing this info from my brain.

[AudiKilla]

I can’t seem to find c5vettev6 on this forum, can someone please help me find him :(

[B7S3wannabi]

I can’t seem to find c5vettev6 on this forum, can someone please help me find him :(

You mean 65vetteC6


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[AudiKilla]

Yes, thank you contacted him!

[AudiKilla]

Car-part.com will sell you a re manufactured unit. It’s pricey as diamonds, and there shipping service must have tossed it down 30 flights of stairs. Completely terrible experience.

Everything is all the same rack wise, the relay and the servo unit on the racks are different. Running the RS4 rack with oem 640 relay in ours is fine. The 3 cars all have different steering ratios in order to get to the rs4 ratio you need the rs4 rack and the rs4 relay. You can run the 640 w the newer rack but your ratio will be a mystery number. Doing this should feel slight improvement in steering. A friend is going to plug in the RS4 relay into his A4 and let me know how or if it feels any different. I believe oem A4 is like 16:1 S4 14:1 rs4 12:1 don’t quote me on this I’m referencing this info from my brain.

Does it matter if the rack is from a B6 or B7 S4/RS4?

[canadianA4B7]

Does it matter if the rack is from a B6 or B7 S4/RS4?

I think both fit. Seller will likely be able to confirm 100%

[rodgertherabit]

I was thinkning of ways to eliminate my Servotronic ps rack, seems overengineered however... im pretty sure its specific for the AFS adapting headlights....

I need to replace my rack, and have been contemplating the same.