I see multiple threads of power steering issues but mine doesn't seem to fit them. Its been doing this for over a year, pushing 2 years. Usually after sitting (overnight or for a while) the wheel is hard to turn to the right. Then, it will turn to the left on its own. Its not out of control, it like studders its way back from right to left. If you grab the wheel it stops. Its starting to get worse where its hard to turn for a while (after warm up, while driving). I feel its getting dangerous and need to address the issue now. Any ideas where to start looking?



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f_V1vS8Ndnc

seems to be the same issue, would this mean a rack replacement?

 

i dunno, but i'd get that checked asap! probably steering rack though

 

Search the thread or click on this link: Electric Power Steering Failure. You'll find your answer there, if it's not the harness then it's the module.

 

does it start the wheel turning with that car moving or sitting still?

 

sitting still or going VERY slow. At driving speed it doesnt jump like that, it just feels normal turning left, sometimes normal, sometimes hard to turn right..

I looked at the connector under the airbox. nothing seems to be visually corroded at all in either one of the 2 connectors down there.. any other ideas?

 

yes - get it diagnosed! its either that connecter or the steering control module. one of them needs replaced.

get thee to the dealer

 

Any idea on how do diagnose it to the steering control module? Just trying to save money, dont have a whole lot to spend on this car and Ill be getting rid of it within the year so I hate to put too much into it

im afraid to let the dealer diagnose it, I keep hearing horror stories of them saying its this and that and nothing actually fixing it.

 

When I got my 8, it was doing this exact same thing. It completely went away when I bought snow tires. When I looked at the rear left tire, i realized why it had been doing that. It was completely bald.

I think in some way, it is trying to compensate for a bad tire, or at least a tire that isn't as grippy as another. Not very technical i know, but that is what was happening to me.