Audi A4 power steering pump axial play

Hi there.

My friend's Audi A4 has a clicking sound coming from the serpentine belt tensioner.
That's why the belt, pulley, and tensioner were replaced several months ago.

On this occasion, the alternator was also replaced due to a different issue.
The error was initially less frequent and has now returned completely.

Yesterday, I took a quick look at it. It was in a cold state, idling. There's some clicking noise.

Turning on the device: it makes a much louder clicking sound.

In my opinion, the tension is a bit too much.
The clicking sound sounds quite metallic.

When I increase the pressure on the spanner using a lever, the clicking sound becomes much louder. If I increase the pressure further, the clicking disappears.

I then removed the belt.

Everything is solid and quiet, except for the power steering pump.
It has an axial play of approximately 1 mm.
The sound I hear when I move the pulley back and forth seems to be the same as the sound of the running engine.
Now I've read that some axial play is supposed to be normal.

My question is: To what extent is this considered a normal game?

I can provide the engine control module (ECM) data and a log file later tonight, but not right now.
Without more data, this is just guesswork right now, but at the moment, it's *only* about the behavior of the servo pump.

Is that normal?

Best regards, Frank.

Just checked.
The engine code is BFB.
Best regards, Frank.

My crystal ball is asking about the alternator's free-running speed.
hg
Herbert.

The alternator's free-running mechanism, including the entire alternator unit, is completely new.
Best regards, Frank.

Evening.
It would have been nice to know the year of manufacture and mileage. The BFB (likely referring to a specific engine or trim level) was available on the Audi A4 from approximately 2001 to 2008, including during the model changeover.
Initially, the B6 models had issues with the steering racks, followed by problems with the power steering pump. For me, it's not uncommon to have to replace these parts on an A4 either; it costs around €130 and takes about 1.5 hours of labor.

Best regards,

I will send you more detailed information, including the log file, tomorrow.
Best regards, Frank.

It's an Audi A4 manufactured in October 2006 with a 163 horsepower engine.

Best regards, Frank.

F B wrote:

Der Freilauf der Lichtmaschine ist incl. der Lima kompletto neu.

Is it still working now? You mentioned that initially, after the Lima replacement, it was okay (the freewheel was working), but now it's not okay anymore (the freewheel is still working?).

Test:
1) Remove the belt.
2) Manually rotate the alternator as quickly as possible in the direction of the belt and then immediately stop it. --> The alternator should continue to rotate.

(If necessary, as a counter-test: 3) Rotate the alternator by hand in the direction OPPOSITE to the belt's rotation and immediately stop it abruptly. --> The alternator will stop immediately.
There must be a clear distinction between 2 and 3.

Greetings.
Sure.

Here is the translation of the text from German to English:

"Guste" means "gust" in English. It refers to a sudden and strong gust of wind.

You wrote that initially, after the change in Lima, it was okay.

Not quite.
It was significantly better, but only for a short time.
When the car is back here, I will check it.
To what extent is axial play in a power steering pump acceptable?

Best regards,
Frank

PS: We disconnected the battery yesterday, which is probably why we're seeing an error with the steering angle sensor.

Minimal axial play is normal.

I would also like to re-check the free running speed of the current alternator; with cheap offers, they often don't last very long.

I would do it that way too.

Hi there,


Was ist, wenn der richtige (längliche) Riemen montiert wurde?
There are often different belt lengths available, depending on the equipment and model updates.
If a belt that is slightly too short or too long is installed, the tensioner arm will press on the belt at an unfavorable angle. This means the effective tensioning force may not be sufficient, and the damping effect might not be as it should be, which can lead to noise.
It is also possible that one of the redirecting rollers, which may have been replaced at some point, does not have the correct diameter (there are sizes of 60, 65, 68, and 70 mm with the same bearing attachment).
Even with the same belt length, changing the other dimension will again alter the angle of the tension arm.

Regards,
Mpire

Evening.
The approach of mpire is very good.
There are 3 different belts available, some with air conditioning and some without. Also, the belt used for vehicles with air conditioning is longer than the previous version, starting from a certain vehicle identification number (VIN).

Regards,
Thilo.

Thank you for the answers.

Once the car is back here, I will re-measure, check, and compare.
The owner has decided to replace the power steering pump.
We can't imagine that the serpentine belt tensioner could be making those noises.
At the next opportunity, I will upload a video where, hopefully, the annoying noise can be heard.

Best regards, Frank.

The colleague used to work at Volkswagen, and supposedly, based on the part numbers etc., he has the correct parts.
He's currently away and won't be back for another two weeks.
I'll get back to you later.
Best regards, Frank.