Ok, So I have a really strange power steering leak. I found it by there being a puddle l of power steering fluid on the belly pan at the back passenger side of the car, where the bracket is, it was also on top of the shield that goes over where the drive shaft joins the transmition.

I sent it to the shop for diagnosis and they said that it was the high pressure line but it was only sweating. I looked over the Bentley manual at home and I find that the high pressure line runs from the left side (drivers side) To some ware around the middle of the engine bay where it runs between the top of the two banks of cylinders to the pump that is on the front of the engine driven by the serpentine belt.

To me given the routing of the pipe (if correct). I am not sure how a leak in the high pressure line could cause the fluid to be ending up where it is. has anyone else had this problem with their car and replaced he high pressure line and it stopped or had fluid end up where I have it and found a different cause?

Also any tips for accessing the steering rack given the stupid place the Audi engineers put it!!!

 

The high pressure lines runs from the pump through the middle of the engine, then down and to the driver's side to the steering rack. All other lines are low pressure. If the line was leaking where it goes from steel tubing to flexible hose, it could drip down the passenger side of the transmission. You can see this joint by looking down at the back of the engine. If you remove your intake pipe, you can see it much better.

If you need to replace the steering rack, let me know as I did a write up on it right after doing mine.

Good luck,

Bob