GolfGTIforum.co.uk
Model specific boards => Golf mk4 => Topic started by: Nino on 21 October 2013, 19:22
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So been thinking to myself of some time now, "Right Nino, the golf has been fine for almost 6 months something is due" So coming home today and pulled up outside my house (I live in a culdasac) so I drive in, turn right, full lock left and reverse and stop right outside my house.
So... I turn right and hear a whine, into reverse and turn left, with that I hear a whine that can only be discribed as a whineing gearbox... at this point my heart sunk! :embarrassed:
Then I turn the car off and pop the bonnet, to find everything looks normal, I glace to my right and right where I stopped and turned right there is what can only be discribbed as small oil patch rainbow splat, about the size of a dominos pizza.
I start to think oh god my gearbox is dead :cry:
Then I start the car again and move it forward and back abit to which there is no noise, I even move the steering about abit and nothing. :undecided:
So then I rang me mate to which he said his company van (VW caddy) did the same thing a few weeks ago and it turned out to be a split power steering pipe.
When he got here we moved my car and spotted a bigger rainbow splat, looks like its directly below the back end of my engine at a rough guess.
So we checked the level of the power steering fluid and it was empty :shocked:
With that we jumped in his van and off to halford as there were the only place open :angry:
£14.99 lighter for halfords special (I know its cheaper from VW don't go there lol)
So filled the fluid up which strangely enough didnt take much at all :huh: started the engine and proceeded to turn the steering wheel left and right for about 2 mins, each time I was getting close to the full lock I could hear the pump working and the fluid level was dropping but then the level went back up when I took the pressure off. Same happened when I full locked the other side. This just repeated for awhile then my friend said he saw a massive air bubble pop out then my steering went a tiny bit lighter.
After that we took the drive for a 2 mile ish drive and the car drove perfectly fine infact my steering felt alot lighter than I remember it. Got back home no noises, no problems, checked the fluid level and there was no change BUT I did notice some small spots of the fluid on the floor again in a line where I pulled in on the right, and there is a small spot under the car again.
The smell of the stuff on the floor is almost the exact same smell as the replacement fluid I just sourced but oviously its abit different because its mixed in with the old fluid.
I am worrying now because I need my car for work, I travel 40 miles a day for work and I am worried if I should drive or if its safe to drive or not plus I cannot afford to take time off work.
Also i am not 100% certain is is the power steering ratelated hence why I am posting here, in your opinions guys would this point to the power steering or do you think its something else and the fact that my fluid level was empty was just a coincidence and bad luck.
In all fairness I have owned my car since april last year and never thought to ever check my power steering fluid.
I am booking my car into my garage for saturday (earlyest I can do it) Do you think it will be safe to use the car for work until then? my plan is to check the fluid level in the morning and top up if needed, then drive to work and check the fluid when I get there and in between that just ensure the levels are topped up..
Poor GTI_James just had me in his ear for like 30mins giving me advise but being me I wanted to check with you lot as well :)
Sorry for the essy but think of it as your reading for the week done :cool:
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Leaking steering rack........
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Don't worry about it to much unless its pi$$in out (think of the two wheeled vehicles),the noise will be a dry pump ,its obvious you are losing fluid so keep it topped up between journeys and get it looked at when you can
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Get under the car and clean any fluid that you can see, check it again after a drive to see if you can work out where it's coming from. My money would also be on the rack.
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Leaking steering rack........
Funny you should say that, I had an advisory on my MOT for "Play in the steering rack" could you give me more detailing on where/what could be leaking please?
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It will be fine just a small leak in a pipe. As above check it everyday after work to see how much is lost. Carry spare fluid with you if you are worried. :wink:
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Get some VW fluid in there once it's sorted though mate, it's very different from anything Halfords sell
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Oh damn i got and advisory on my recent MOT for a Play in the steering rack to, well gonna get that fixed asap now!!
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Clean it all off (brake cleaner etc) then park on a clean part of the floor and look to see where it is leaking.
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Sounds like the rack. Only option is to replace
Think Rich and a few others used someone on Ebay who supplies new ones on exchange basis so you send your old rack back :undecided:
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I suspect im going to have to change the steering rack all together, going into the garage on saturday, wish me luck :cry:
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id agree leaking steering rack.
will be ok to drive, just if theres no fluid left the steering will be a lot heavier.
may sound stupid. but tomorrow make sure Air con is turned off I noticed a drip from mine a few month ago, and one day it looked like my radiator was pissing water out from under the car from far away, on closer inspection I noticed it was coming from the air con area, and it was just because id had the air con on. may sound stupid, but atleast you can rule that out.
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id agree leaking steering rack.
will be ok to drive, just if theres no fluid left the steering will be a lot heavier.
may sound stupid. but tomorrow make sure Air con is turned off I noticed a drip from mine a few month ago, and one day it looked like my radiator was pissing water out from under the car from far away, on closer inspection I noticed it was coming from the air con area, and it was just because id had the air con on. may sound stupid, but atleast you can rule that out.
I hardly use it to be honest lol
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Sounds like the rack. Only option is to replace
Think Rich and a few others used someone on Ebay who supplies new ones on exchange basis so you send your old rack back :undecided:
Don't suppose you could use your friendly approch and find out the info for me please? :nerd:
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Ok little update.
Check the level of fluid before i set off for my 20 mile trip to work, all good still full.
Drove to work and checked again when i got there still full and didnt come across any problems on the way to work.
I finish at 2 so even thou my garage is jammed till the weekend ill give them a ring and see if i can pop down after work to see if they could pop it up on ramps to see if they notice anything obivious.
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If the rack is at fault it'd be a perfect time to upgrade to a quick rack :whistle:
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If the rack is at fault it'd be a perfect time to upgrade to a quick rack :whistle:
Whats that mate?
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Right just got home, checked levels still all good and again not problems driving home.
Garage cannot look at my car till the earlyest thursday so when I finish work im gunna take it straight there, get it up on ramps, so they can see exactly what the problem is parts will then be ordered then back in on saturday for the work to be carryed out.
I am starting to think it is the steering rack due to me popping my head under the car and noticing my passenger side wishbone covered in fluid.
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this look ok to you lot?
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/MK4-Volkswagen-Golf-Power-Steering-Rack-98-05-/131022452930?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&fits=Model%3AGolf|Plat_Gen%3AMK+IV&hash=item1e818bf8c2
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If the rack is at fault it'd be a perfect time to upgrade to a quick rack :whistle:
Whats that mate?
Steering rack from an S3/LCR/R32 is known as a 'quick rack' as you have fewer turns lock to lock :wink:
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Yeah jus googled it, u have to change the wishbones and track rod ends too. Bugger that recent changed them lol
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No you don't, you can use your current track rods
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I can't afford one to be honest and dnt really want to get a second hand one and it go on me a few months down the line.
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This exact same thing has happened to me, turned out to be a knackered steering rack. Leaking from the seals. Managed to pick up a audi tt quick rack from a guy I know who was breaking one for 40 quid!!! Just waiting for it to arrive in the post!
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good job your missus paid for your rims then dude haha :grin:
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Well i still gotta pay her back infact she said to me "dont worry about paying me back till after xmas" :D
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That's epic
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I know she was like, if you need a steering rack thats more important because its your safty that matters :smug:
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UPDATE: Just took the car in steering rack is gone plus he noticed and showed me that my exhaust is leaking and moving, so needs a new sleeve an bolts, and my fuel filter is rusted to crap. He needs my car till monday afternoon so and fair play all in parts, labour, new VW fluid flush and everything with two year warranty for £300 money I cant afford to spend but at least it will be done.
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Forgot to mention thats with lazer tracking too :)
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Not too shabby then
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Yeah cheers for the help guys. However i am starting to get to the point where im thinking where do i stop?
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When you give up driving and don't have a car
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Yeah cheers for the help guys. However i am starting to get to the point where im thinking where do i stop?
When you realise there are far better cars out there :whistle: :laugh:
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Yeah cheers for the help guys. However i am starting to get to the point where im thinking where do i stop?
Haha don't we all! Once you've got it fixed you will be buzzing again.
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Good point.