Power Steering Problem NEED HELP!!
 

Hi All! Here is my problem
I bought 1996 Audi 2.8L Cabriolet last week with 91k Miles and it was pretty good for 11 yr old car. This morning when I drove to work and I noticed that terrible squeaking noise was coming everytime I turned the steering wheel. I stopped to see what was going on and when I opened the hood I saw PS fluid spilled all over and it was oozing out of the reservoir cap. When I opened the reservoir, I saw lot of foam and it seems that PS pump was backing the fluid up into the reservoir. I made one terrible mistake and it was that I topped it off with Prestone PS fluid. After reading the forum I came to know that Audi's require special Pentosin mineral oil. Anyway when I reached the mechanic's place the level in the reservoir was again below the low mark and it spilled again. It seems my PS pump is not working and it is backing into the reservoir. I took the engine cover out and it seems that the pump can be replaced with not much difficulty. Can anyone guide me how to replace the pump and should I replace the pump first and then flush the fluid by disconnecting two finger sized hoses at the bottom of the reservoir and filling and draining at the same time till all the fluid is flushed. Are there any other seals I have to replace?
What should I order besides the PS pump?
Does anyone have DIY for PS pump, pics and step by step directions would be helpful?
Any other tips?

All the inputs will be highly appreciated.

RE: Power Steering Problem NEED HELP!!
 

Find out what's going on first. My bet is the wrong fluid messed up the check valve in the hose.

Try a simple flush with the proper fluid, & see if it helps. Usually if the pump is not making noise it's working Ok. It's a loop system, so the fluid is pulled & pushed into the reservoir. The foam is usually due to low fluid, or air in the system.

RE: Power Steering Problem NEED HELP!!
 

poke some holes in your in your rack and pinion boots, see if theres any fluid in there?

RE: Power Steering Problem NEED HELP!!
 

Really? that's your advice? To put holes in the protective boot? If there is PS fluid in it, it would either leak at the boot, or you can just squeeze the boot & feel the fluid in it.

RE: Power Steering Problem NEED HELP!!
 

There is a vent hole on the rack that allows air in the boot to escape when the boot is compressed in a turn. It also will allow fluid to escape, assuming it is not plugged. I know this from personal experience with a leaking rack.

RE: Power Steering Problem NEED HELP!!
 

how the hell do you think ppl check it
you cant feel fluid thru it, if theres only a lil bit
im not going to give ppl bad advice
trust me

RE: Power Steering Problem NEED HELP!!
 

You can squeeze the boot, you will feel liquid in it. You can also, remove the end clamp, & push the boot back. Putting holes in it to check, is just bad advice.

RE: Power Steering Problem NEED HELP!!
 

no its not bad advice
im certified to give this advice
a lil pin hole will not hurt it in anyway
that boot should be dry inside
if he pokes a hole, and theres nothing, then
there will be no problem with a lil pin hole in the boot
you dont put a GIANT hole in it, just a lil pin hole

did yon think i was telling him to take saw ans put a two inch hole in it>?
the boots are pretty stiff, your not going to feel shit

RE: Power Steering Problem NEED HELP!!
 

Oh, watch out your "certified" that doesn't mean you know what your talking about. You never said a pin hole, you said "poke some holes in your in your rack and pinion boots" Sorry, but that is BAD ADVICE!

Stay in the OT forum where you belong.

RE: Power Steering Problem NEED HELP!!
 

im sorry, sounds like you need to chat with me in the pm's

its not bad advice
yours is
what if he feels the boot, and feels there no fluid in there
and really, come to find out, there is. what a waste of time?

certified in the auto field, with 4+ years of in shop expierence on all makes and models, does make me very worthy to give advice
and if you dont want me in here, talk to an administrator, stop giveing me crap, im getting very tired of it, its quite annoying actually.
if you want to talk to me about anything thats off subject from this new members thread, since we want to be professional for him,and we are giving professional advice, then please contact me via PM. thank you