Can the Audi steering gear be repaired if water gets in?
2 Answers
Audi steering gear can be repaired if water gets in. The solution for water entering the car steering gear is to drain both the water and the power steering fluid, wait until it dries, and then refill with power steering fluid. Details are as follows: 1. If there is no oil leakage in the steering gear, simply replacing the steering fluid will not cause internal rust. 2. Heavy steering or steering lock-up is not necessarily caused by internal rust. 3. Even if there is a small amount of water inside the steering gear, performing several full-angle steering maneuvers (from center to left limit, back to center, then to right limit, and back to center counts as one full-angle steering) can help expel the water with the fluid. After that, replacing the steering fluid will suffice.
I've been running an auto repair shop for over a decade, and I can tell you that waterlogged Audi steering racks absolutely shouldn't be forcibly repaired. The steering mechanism contains precision gears and circuit boards - once submerged, they'll inevitably rust and short-circuit. I've seen owners try to save money by just replacing the oil seals, only to experience complete steering failure within two months. The professional approach involves complete disassembly and thorough inspection: minor water intrusion may be fixed by replacing seals and drying circuits, costing 2,000-3,000 yuan; but if the gear set is rusted through, a genuine OEM steering rack replacement can run over 10,000 yuan. Remember - any vehicle submerged above tire height becomes a ticking time bomb even after repairs. It's better to file a total loss claim with your insurance company.
