Steering Problems

[c100cbk]

I have an S3 and the steering is suddenly stiffing up, before I begin investigating this myself has anybody experienced this themselves or can anybody perhaps point me in the right direction as to where to look?

[TSD]

I recently went through this. Noting that the esprit steering is stiff anyway at low speeds (rack/pinion with no PA), compared to other cars. If the stiffness is localised in the center, it's probably the rack. If the stiffness happens in a few places as you go from lock to lock, it could be the steering column u/js. but don't jumpt to conclusions, check everything methodically and you will save time/money/grief

Jack the front of the car up and use your hands to push the front wheels from lock to lock. Use a ball joint separator and remove the tie rods. Then you can turn each wheel independently to see if there is any stiffness in the upper or lower balljoints. You can also check the tie rod ends by hand to see if there is any sticky points.

That ruled out, with the tie rods still off, move the rack from side to side, to see if the stiffness is still there. If so, it's in the rack or u/j. remove the lower u/j clamp bolt (fully), then loosen the steering rack clamp bolt by the pedal box, and the two bolts into the scuttle beam. shimmy the steering column up just enough to pull the lower u/j off of the rack. then move the rack from side to side, if the stiffness is in the rack, it's the rack. If not, then it's one of the steering u/j. If you separate the upper & lower u/js, note that they need to be phased by 30 degrees when put back together. The upper u/j comes out of the footwell. Lower comes out from underneath.

good luck.

[TSD]

and while your at it, check for any play in the components at each step. There should be none.