Some time ago I noticed knocking sound. It sounds like it's coming from behind steering wheel. I can hear it in the cabin but not from outside. It happens only when stationary, when steering wheel is pulled quickly to the left from center position. From time to time it does not reproduce but most of the time it's here. Anyone had similar issue? Any guess what could it be?

 

 

Does it do it at every angle or just when the steering wheel is upright?

Does it do it with the engine off?

 

Can you feel anything when turning the wheel if you touch the steering column down by the pedals?

It is in between the brake and clutch pedal on a manual gearbox.

I would think it is to the left of the brake pedal on your DSG.

There is a universal joint there that might have some free play in it.

 

Thanks, AG Falco

 

Hello. I did extensive investigation on this failure and it does not look good. Firstly let me answer @AGFalco questions:

 

1. It knocks the same on 0 degrees position as well as +/-360 degrees. At +/-180 degrees (steering wheel upside down) it knocks other way around, I have to pull steering wheel from left to right for it to make sound.

2. Yes it does this with the engine off, but I have to use much more force.

3. I can feel vibration mostly at top u-joint of an intermediate steering shaft and at a steering column gearbox housing.

 

Another observation: When I push intermediate steering shaft slightly with my shoe noise stops.

 

I went to 3 repair shops to diagnose where problem is exactly. First one, suspension specialist, told me suspension, steering rack and tie rods are fine. Second one claimed to disconnect intermediate steering shaft and still heard noise from steering column. Third one also told me noise is coming from steering column. 

 

Just to be 100% sure this is the case I replaced intermediate steering shaft with used one and it still knocks the same. Now I am sure steering column is faulty which is worst case scenario.

 

This part is not repariable according to service manual and dealer. New part is not available even at dealer. if it was available it would be crazy expensive anyway, so I have to think about different solution.

I basically have two options: used or remanufactured part. Now I have lot of questions regarding choosing a replacement.

 

1. How is it possible that according to manufacturer part is not repairable but remanufactured steering columns can be found on the market? I am thinking about TRW (which is manufacturer of OE steering column btw.) and ERA Benelux brands.

2. Anyone had any experience with second manufacturer ERA Benelux? It seems TRW JCR428 and ERA Benelux ESC3202 should fit my car.

3. Dealer told me only used parts with 6C1423510AD and 6C1423510BB markings will fit but it seems remanufactured parts mentioned earlier can replace steering columns with different part numbers too. For example JCR428 can replace following parts (from TRW website):

Does it mean all parts with these numbers will fit my car? What last two letters mean?

I managed to resolve this issue by replacing steering column with another used unit, after driving for about a month everything is fine so far.