The rack and pinion steering has a smooth stroke and no play from lock to lock. It does not require maintenance, except for checking the condition of the sealing cuffs.
Depending on the model or version, the steering may be equipped with hydraulic power steering (servo control). Servo control ensures minimal effort required for control. The servo system consists of an oil pump, a tank and pressure pipes. The pump is driven via a V-belt drive.
The pump draws hydraulic oil from the reservoir and delivers it under high pressure to the valve device. It is located on the steering gearbox and, being mechanically connected to the steering column, delivers fluid depending on the steering wheel deviation to a certain side of the working cylinder. There, the fluid presses on the piston of the toothed rack and thus helps control.
At the same time, the piston squeezes the liquid to the other side of the working cylinder through the return hole and then through the return pipe back to the tank.
As a rule, AUDI 80/90 models are equipped with a safety system called Procon/Ten: Procon = Programmed Contraction, programmed folding of the steering column in case of an accident; Ten = Tension = tension, automatic tensioning of the front seat belts. With the Procon/Ten system, a maintenance-free stainless steel cable is attached to the upper part of the steering column, its lower part is laid around the column with a pulley and secured to the body. In the event of a strong frontal impact, the engine and gearbox are displaced relative to the body. Due to this, the cable pulls the steering wheel down and removes it from the area of possible contact with the driver.
Attention: welding and straightening work on the steering system is not permitted.