[JM30]

Hi all,

I am new to the site and hoping to have some assistance as my local dealership is driving me crazy with my Q5 8R.

My steering was heavy at 90degrees then loosened off when past it (I’m an absolute novice with car maintenance/ diagnostics) so took it to the dealership for them to review.

They said it was due to the power steering pump, so this was replaced at my cost. They said it was leaking so it was replaced, I pick up the car and immediately notice the issue being exactly the same. I called the garage and was told the power steering fluid had to work its way around which will loosen up the steering which simply isn’t true.

Back to the garage again the next time and they replaced the intermediate shaft which then fixed the stiff steering at 90 degrees which is great. However, again leaving the car park the steering was out of alignment and I had a lot of play in the wheel like dead steering where nothing happened.

Back to the garage AGAIN, at this point incredibly angry at the situation as this play had never been an issue throughout this whole ordeal and now they suggest looking to replace the steering rack and retesting after (at my cost yet again…) at this point I’ve lost my trust with the garage as it feels like they are simply guessing with parts now.

I want to know if anyone else has experienced this with steering wheel play; have new parts hidden an issue like this which I find incredibly hard to believe or is it simply the intermediate shaft that’s been fitted incorrectly?

I have now complained to Audi explaining they need to remove and refit the shaft at their cost to explore if it was fitted incorrectly. If so I’ll be asking for money back.

can anyone offer any advice on what to do next?

The has been excellent in the 5 years I’ve owned it, but this last month has driven me crazy to the point of wanting to just get rid but I’m pretty deep financially in it yet again which is annoying.

thanks in advance!!

 

[missile]

I would guess you need a new rack. This seems to be a common fault. Replaced on my first Q5 under warranty. How old is yours and how many miles?

Welcome to our forum

 

[mwcltd]

I assume the dealer you took it to was Audi franchised? So for 5 years the steering met your requirements. Was there any event which occurred which would cause the steering feel to change? The normal process when flushing and refilling the steering fluid is to start the engine then wind the steering wheel lock to lock a few times to let the fluid circulate then top up the fluid reservoir if required.

 

[JM30]

I would guess you need a new rack. This seems to be a common fault. Replaced on my first Q5 under warranty. How old is yours and how many miles?

Welcome to our forum

Thanks Missile,

The car is 59 plate, so an early model with about 105k on the clock. I'm not ruling out any wear and tear, but it's very odd for the steering wheel play to only be rearing its head after an intermediate shaft has been fitted. The issue was not there after the power steering pump was replaced so just find the whole thing a bit baffling.

I am having an independent specialist have a look as they don't think it's a new rack required, so are reviewing the fitting shaft/ bushes etc...any costs going back to Audi to cover.

 

[JM30]

I assume the dealer you took it to was Audi franchised? So for 5 years the steering met your requirements. Was there any event which occurred which would cause the steering feel to change? The normal process when flushing and refilling the steering fluid is to start the engine then wind the steering wheel lock to lock a few times to let the fluid circulate then top up the fluid reservoir if required.

Hi there,

Thanks for your reply, no it was an independent car sales company in Wales I bought it from. the car has been mechanically perfect in my ownership.

With regards to the power steering pump/ flushing the fluid I've seen the process online and naturally would expect given the price paid for it, that Audi would have done that before the work was signed off, but that's not been any part of the issue in my opinion despite the astronomical cost for the work...

There has been no event to cause it to change at all, it's had a pretty easy life to be perfectly honest as I generally do the longer motorway journeys and my wife would do the shorter ones!

 

[missile]

Hi there,

Thanks for your reply, no it was an independent car sales company in Wales I bought it from.

I think you might been better going to an Audi dealer for repairs.

 

[mwcltd]

I agree with missile. We could continue to guess but what it needs is a closer analysis to establish the fault.

 

[JM30]

I agree with missile. We could continue to guess but what it needs is a closer analysis to establish the fault.

Just to clarify, I purchased the car five years ago from the garage in Wales. All work and servicing has been carried out by the Audi dealership (monmotors) in Bristol. The garage in Wa

This is the crux of my gripe is that all the work has been done at their Audi service centres.

 

[LlamadelRey]

Back to the garage AGAIN, at this point incredibly angry at the situation as this play had never been an issue throughout this whole ordeal and now they suggest looking to replace the steering rack and retesting after (at my cost yet again…) at this point I’ve lost my trust with the garage as it feels like they are simply guessing with parts now.

 

[mwcltd]

I would contact the 'Which' magazine. They are very effective at sorting out consumer problems.