Steering Clunk at Manoeuvring Speed

[Boy]

I suspect that one of my UJs may be getting a bit dry as my steering feels a bit heavy. Do these UJs have grease nipples? What type of spanner is needed to loosen the spline bolt? Is the steering lighter on later years than 2008?

[Embisix]

The UJs are open and pretty basic, so just pack the little fella with as much grease as it'll take. I believe the spline bolt is a t20 but could be wrong....

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[JacobMY2010]

Well, they tell me that it was in fact the lower half of the steering column (the exposed section inside the cabin), so the least expensive component at £311 fitted. They are confident the issue has been resolved, but time will tell.

I'll be taking the car on a 250-odd mile round trip tomorrow, so fingers crossed it's all sorted.

Hi everyone.

Just registered myself to confirm that I have had the same symptoms on my MY 2010 A4 as Embisix also have done exactly the same thing which is replacing the lower part of the steering column which was 170£ trade price , after that no more annoying dull knocks . So again thx Embisix

[BeaconJon]

The UJs are open and pretty basic, so just pack the little fella with as much grease as it'll take. I believe the spline bolt is a t20 but could be wrong....

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Just digging this one back up.

My A4 B8 143tdi is having very similar issues. It's not consistent at the moment but given time I'm sure it will be. I get a dull thud through the steering occasionally when applying some lock at slow speeds.

I've checked the track rod ends and cant find an issue there, also the suspension bushes look ok.

Will I be able to detect any play in the lower column with the car sat on the drive by just "wiggling" it? Or is it a case of just replacing it regardless and is it a job a simple home mechanic can do?

Cheers, Jon