[s-cars] My steering is moaning- Can you guess the cure?

[Christopher Leal]

No prize to the winner but it would be great if someone could guess what he problem may be with my UrS4 so I can be lazy. :-) I would prefer to catch it before the intermittent nature turns permanent or failure during my long commute.

It is making an intermittent noise that sounds like a groaning similiar to restricted house plumbing and feels/sounds like it is coming from the power steering system. It happens rarely at low speed and is extremely hard to hear (Thanks Stromung). It is topped off with fluid. No discernable leaks from the pump or rack.

Is this what a failed pump sounds like? Restriction in the hoses? Failing rack? Is there a inline screen somewhere in the system (at the pump, I think)?

Thanks in advance.

Christopher