Steering rack knocking noise

[shabazmo]

2011 Audi A7 reg RK11 VKN. 140k miles. The symptom is play (knocking noise) in the steering rack on the offside only. Thinking it was the inner ball joint, I replaced this to subsequently find out that the play is in the rack itself. There are no other symptoms and the car drives well.

It feels as though there is a bush inside the rack which is worn causing the rack rod to move vertically and cause the noise.

The other consideration is whether I should sent it off for reconditioning or install perhaps a later version that may have been improved. Any help would be appreciated.

[Crasher]

We have had a few cars on this platform with what we consider excessive rack play but the MOT man never complains.

[shabazmo]

Thanks Crasher. I expect that the play will get worse over time. I called Shaftec but they don't recon these electric racks. Any idea what road I should take. TPS does not do an exchange and the new rack costs about £2k.
Other racks had an adjusting nut on top of the rack to take up play but there does not seem to be a procedure for this rack.
Finally does the new rack have to be coded.

[Crasher]

Part number 4G2 423 055 BD and £2095.38 plus a big pile of fasteners, the only company on Tec Doc that lists it is... Shaftec! their part number FRRM1000.