Safety Warning
DIY auto repair can cause serious injury, fire, or vehicle damage. These guides are for informational purposes only. Always follow OEM torque specs, wear PPE, and consult a certified mechanic if you are unsure. You are solely responsible for your safety.
Steering, Bleeding After Replacing
After steering system reconstruction, system must be bled differently depending on extent of reconstruction.
Bleeding After Replacing Entire Steering System or Replacing Steering Gear
-- Fill the reservoir completely.
Applies to Vehicles with a 10-Cylinder TFSI Engine
The 10-cylinder TFSI engine has a reservoir with 2 chambers that are separated from each other by a screen.
Affects All Vehicles
-- Lift the vehicle just enough so that all the wheels are off the ground.
- Engine switched off
-- Turn steering wheel from lock to lock 10 times, with engine switched off.
-- Fill the reservoir completely.
-- Briefly start engine (maximum 2 seconds).
Pump must not draw in any air. Steering wheel must not be turned under any circumstances.
Approximately 30 seconds wait between individual engine starts.
-- Inspect hydraulic oil level and fill as needed.
-- Repeat this process until oil level remains constant.
-- Turn steering wheel from lock to lock 10 times, with engine turned off.
-- Inspect hydraulic oil level and fill as needed.
-- Start the engine.
-- Turn steering wheel 10 times from stop to stop.
-- Inspect hydraulic oil level and fill as needed.
Any air in remaining in the steering system will dissipate by itself when driving over the next 10 to 20 km.
Bleeding After Reconstructing Component of the Steering Besides the Steering Gear (Pump, Hoses, Etc.)
-- Check hydraulic fluid level and fill, if necessary. Refer to POWER STEERING FLUID, CHECKING .
Applies to Vehicles with a 10-Cylinder TFSI Engine
The 10-cylinder TFSI engine has a reservoir with 2 chambers that are separated from each other by a screen. After filling or extracting, wait a few minutes so that fluid levels in the two chambers can even out. This prevents an incorrect reading.
Affects All Vehicles
-- Briefly start engine (maximum 2 seconds).
Pump must not draw in any air and steering wheel must not be turned under any circumstances.
Approximately 30 sec. wait between individual engine starts.
-- Inspect hydraulic oil level and fill as needed.
-- Repeat this process until oil level remains constant.
-- Start the engine and allow it to run 2-3 minutes, do not turn the steering wheel.
-- Inspect hydraulic oil level and fill as needed.
Any air in remaining in the steering system will dissipate by itself when driving over the next 10 to 20 km.
NO RELATED
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When to See a Mechanic
Stop DIY work and contact a certified mechanic immediately if any of the following apply:
- • You smell fuel, burning insulation, or see smoke.
- • Brakes feel soft, pull hard to one side, or make grinding noises.
- • The engine overheats, stalls repeatedly, or misfires under load.
- • You are missing required tools, torque specs, or safe lifting equipment.
- • You are not confident in the next step or safety outcome.