A4 Steering Rack problems

[FlyingWolf]

Hi everyone, new poster here. I have an A4 Avant 1.9 TDI Quattro Sport - it's an 03, bought Jan 04, mileage is around 140,000 now - nearly 10 years completely trouble free motoring until now. Around a week ago, I started to notice a grinding/groaning noise when turning at low speed/revs (typically pulling out or turning in/parking) AND a whining noise which increases/decreases in pitch as the car accelerates/decelerates. This was initially diagnosed as due to loss of steering fluid, but my local independent garage where the car has been serviced since coming out of warranty have told me that upon further investigation, the steering rack is knackered and needs replacing. I've been given two options - either (a) a new Audi replacement part costing (to be confimed) in the region of £600 +VAT, or (b) a reconditioned rack (presumably my knackered one) costing considerably less. My local garage is currently struggling to get hold of a new non-Audi (?) part, hence the two options above. Any obvious thoughts please on what to do here? I don't really want to fork out the best part of a £1000 for a new part and labour, but likewise I don't want to go for the cheaper option if the same thing's going to go wrong in 18 months or so. Many thanks, Andy

[Doctle Odd]

Steering Rack can you do it yourself?

[ajrayner]

Steering Rack can you do it yourself?

Links to search results don't work with GSF (needs a reg) so you have to link the item directly

[ametlib]

Have a couple of obvious thoughts. First, are they absolutely sure it's the rack that's bad, and not the pump ? Second, if the rack in your car is a KOYO, don't throw money at it, throw it in the garbage and
buy a used ZF rack on Ebay. I rather put a used ZF rack with 300K on it's neck than a refurbished KOYO in my car ..

[Doctle Odd]

You can also search by model without a reg. If you return your old rack to GSF it's a shade over £220.00. DIY is possible on your driveway but it's an utter PIG of a job GSF PART NO : 430VG0590

[FlyingWolf]

Thanks guys for the input. It's definitely a steering rack problem, but given it's the first major 'surgery' that the car's needed in 140k miles (still on its original clutch) I can't complain really. Interesting disparity on the unit costs - Coventry Audi quoted me in the region of £660 + VAT for what is in essence still a re-manufactured unit this morning, while a smaller steering specialist (also in Coventry) wanted around £150-200 to refurb my existing rack. Everyone I've spoken to says a refurbed unit is as good as it gets these days, so that's what I've gone one with. Labour will still be a hefty sum for what I gather is a 4-hr job to remove and refit. Thanks for the advice though, it's appreciated.