Lots of issues and questions.
1996 audi a4 2.8 v6 12 valve. B5. Manual.
Recent problems:
5th gear went out won't go into 5th, 1st through 4th work fine.
Speedometer and odometer just went out.
Cars idle isnt solid bogs down occasionally
Steering wines in sharp slow turns.

Any help would be much appreciated

 

Well, lets see. Will it go into 5th with the car turned off?
Did you check your kicker panel fuses? Have you taken the dash off recently?
Idle, Check your spark plugs, and maybe your o2 sensors. I'm having a similar problem there.
Steering whining, check your rack and pinion boots, look for PS fluid, it's possible the seal broke, and you are leaking. Check your PS connections on the rack, cooler line, pump and fluid level.

Buy a manual, it'll help with any repairs if you haven't got one already.