Steering rack failed at 33,000 miles
Thread Starter
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 2
Steering rack failed at 33,000 miles
Hello all
Thesteering on my A4, 2002 has become very noisy. I took it to the dealer and they said the Steering rack has leaked internally and needs to be replaced. The car has 33,000 miles (54,000Km) but it is outside warranty since you get 4 years or 80,000Km which ever comes first. Since we drive it for pleasure only, the 4 years passed and we only clocked 54,000Km.
The cost is $CAD900 plus labour for a total of $CAD1600.
I complained and they blamed it on not driving it so much which is bull.
I am planning to write a letter to Audi USA and I checked the TSBs, seems there is a TSB on the Hydraulic Power Assist but I knew nothing about.
Do I have a good reason to file a formal complaint and try to get my money back?
Thanks
Peter
Thesteering on my A4, 2002 has become very noisy. I took it to the dealer and they said the Steering rack has leaked internally and needs to be replaced. The car has 33,000 miles (54,000Km) but it is outside warranty since you get 4 years or 80,000Km which ever comes first. Since we drive it for pleasure only, the 4 years passed and we only clocked 54,000Km.
The cost is $CAD900 plus labour for a total of $CAD1600.
I complained and they blamed it on not driving it so much which is bull.
I am planning to write a letter to Audi USA and I checked the TSBs, seems there is a TSB on the Hydraulic Power Assist but I knew nothing about.
Do I have a good reason to file a formal complaint and try to get my money back?
Thanks
Peter
2nd Gear
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,165
RE: Steering rack failed at 33,000 miles
not likely.. audi sucks like that
but mine failed at 60,000 miles or so.. left inner tie rod seal blew all over my wheel well one night.. audi quoted me $800 for the part plus labor and i laughed and hung up the phone..
i changed mine out for a total of like $400 including labor.. DIY ftw
but mine failed at 60,000 miles or so.. left inner tie rod seal blew all over my wheel well one night.. audi quoted me $800 for the part plus labor and i laughed and hung up the phone..
i changed mine out for a total of like $400 including labor.. DIY ftw
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 12,826
From:
RE: Steering rack failed at 33,000 miles
https://www.audiforums.com/recalls-and-tsbs/browse.htm
there is a TSB in there about the power steering
there is a TSB in there about the power steering
3rd Gear
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 2,326
From: Fargo, ND
RE: Steering rack failed at 33,000 miles
Parts fail!! It happens on new cars and it happens on old - some things wear out faster than they should - you can't expect the car to run forever with no problems - agreed that this malfunction has happened earlier than expected with your mileage, but were talking about a leak which means seals or some other wearable part - seals can dry-up/crack from "non-use" so their claim may be accurate. I'm not saying you don't have a case, anything is worth a try.
Isn't $1600 CAD like $20US - lol j/k
Isn't $1600 CAD like $20US - lol j/k
Thread Starter
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 2
RE: Steering rack failed at 33,000 miles
Thank you for your replies. Well I paid the $1,700 and wanted the dealer to assure me that I have a new and not a re-manufactured steering rack and to push him to get an extended warranty. His response is that he in not sure if it reman. and that the warranty is 1year or 20,000Km. As it stands I am not happy at all, and this means there is a risk that the rack can go again. I also asked about the TSB 092602 concerning the steering pumpto see if that affected my situation and he said not to believe these TSBs and that in any way I am out side warranty it does not apply. As it stands, a nice big letter is being prepared to Audi head office to complain. To add insult to injury, the service manager said: People have high expectations of Audi and don't understand that they can fail. I said damn right I have high expectations, that's why I bought and have been driving an Audi for 20 years. I am really pissed off at him and his bull.
4th Gear
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 4,354
RE: Steering rack failed at 33,000 miles
I agree that the dealer didn't try to help you much. There is not much Audi can do as dealers are independently run, not part of the Audi Corp.
However, once the car is out of warranty, you would be better to take your car to an independent mechanic that deals with German cars. The labor and parts charges will be significantly less than dealer.
However, once the car is out of warranty, you would be better to take your car to an independent mechanic that deals with German cars. The labor and parts charges will be significantly less than dealer.
4th Gear
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 4,078
From: Northern NJ USA
RE: Steering rack failed at 33,000 miles
2nd Gear
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,165
RE: Steering rack failed at 33,000 miles
ORIGINAL: EICAS
Thank you for your replies. Well I paid the $1,700 and wanted the dealer to assure me that I have a new and not a re-manufactured steering rack and to push him to get an extended warranty. His response is that he in not sure if it reman. and that the warranty is 1year or 20,000Km. As it stands I am not happy at all, and this means there is a risk that the rack can go again. I also asked about the TSB 092602 concerning the steering pumpto see if that affected my situation and he said not to believe these TSBs and that in any way I am out side warranty it does not apply. As it stands, a nice big letter is being prepared to Audi head office to complain. To add insult to injury, the service manager said: People have high expectations of Audi and don't understand that they can fail. I said damn right I have high expectations, that's why I bought and have been driving an Audi for 20 years. I am really pissed off at him and his bull.
Thank you for your replies. Well I paid the $1,700 and wanted the dealer to assure me that I have a new and not a re-manufactured steering rack and to push him to get an extended warranty. His response is that he in not sure if it reman. and that the warranty is 1year or 20,000Km. As it stands I am not happy at all, and this means there is a risk that the rack can go again. I also asked about the TSB 092602 concerning the steering pumpto see if that affected my situation and he said not to believe these TSBs and that in any way I am out side warranty it does not apply. As it stands, a nice big letter is being prepared to Audi head office to complain. To add insult to injury, the service manager said: People have high expectations of Audi and don't understand that they can fail. I said damn right I have high expectations, that's why I bought and have been driving an Audi for 20 years. I am really pissed off at him and his bull.
ORIGINAL: rward011
Anyone know where to find a DIY on the steering rack...I got the bently manual but it doesn't show you how to take it off.
Anyone know where to find a DIY on the steering rack...I got the bently manual but it doesn't show you how to take it off.
1st Gear
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 244
From: Manila, Philippines
RE: Steering rack failed at 33,000 miles
hey mine failed in 31,000 kms. don't know what the previous owner did to make it fail that soon. Anyway it has been replaced already and Im happy. Now on to fix the other issues in the car
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