Dr Geoff

So I got the problem fixed by the independent guy for 55 quid! He removed the short steering column shaft with the two UJ's and confirmed that the top UJ was stiff in one axis. He was able to 90% free this up by exercising it and there is now no reaction at the steering wheel. If it deteriorates again, a new shaft is £200 + fitting. We have no idea why it appeared to fail so suddenly. Perhaps the stiffness has to pass a threshold value at which it will be felt at the wheel. Everything electrical was confirmed OK after all. This was a weird one so thanks for your input - always good to get more than one brain on the subject. I hope this thread helps the next person with this problem. Geoff

Regrettably, the battery doesnt seem to be the problem. I have a spare battery, fairly new, that I have charged up. Able to crank my old Morris Minor with ease so should be in reasonable shape. Using jump leads I connected in parallel with the battery in the boot and ran it for a short distance. No change to steering effort. I agree about the UJ's. I got it up on ramps yesterday and took to cover off. All mechanicals visually fine. Nothing loose or dirty, corroded etc. Just another piece of the jigsaw; I had the alternator replaced due to bearing failure last month. I checked voltage with engine running @ approx 13.5 to 13.8V depending on rpm. I was expecting it to be over 14v. Battery volts were 12.5v. Do you know what the charging volts should be? Mind you, if battery eliminated, this would not be relevant. I have booked car to go to a local independent specialist for a diagnostic check on Monday. Will report back. Thanks again, Geoff

Thanks Gareth & Steve I have a digital charger and charged the battery overnight immediately after this problem occurred. The battery seems OK, all of the stages of charge went OK and voltage OK afterwards. But you remind me that after charging the problem did seem less severe (As Steve says, prior to the recharge the effort required to turn was serious with no self centring so lethal - better afterwards). Might still be an issue here especially because it fits the lay up story and the apparent off/on incidence. I will take it for a good run today to check again. I will also get the car on ramps and see what I can see around the column UJ under the floor. Feels like a UJ 'over centre' effect if you know what I mean. Thanks for your comments, will let you know.

I have an Audi Avant 2.0TDI 2014 model, 100k miles. It has been stationary for a while due to lockdown but went to shop last weekend 2miles away. No problem. Left the carpark with shopping but found that the steering has a heavy dead spot every half turn of the steering wheel. Very strange to occur so suddenly. Tyre pressures Ok, no obvious damage. all fuses OK, recharged battery as well. No dashboard warnings. Local garage suspects dodgy UJ on the column and says new column required + audi recalibration. Megabucks! Anyone seen this before? and any ideas would be most welcome. Most weird part is the difference before and after shopping! Must be a virus... Any thoughts very welcome.