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Author Topic: Play in steering wheel  (Read 904 times)

Offline Dolly

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Play in steering wheel
« on: 29 March 2009, 15:08 »
right fitted an engine into my 1990 8v gti, fitted a second hand rack as the one fitted was leaking fluid. car hasnt really moved for about a year but ive always noticed massive play in steering wheel, about 90 degrees when the wheels face forward. i thought it was because i hadnt hooked up the power steering fluid and filled the system,

so today i fitted the fluid bottle and pipes, and reconnected the pump to the crank. there are no leaks and the steering is really light (almost too light)
but ive still got a lot of movement allbeit not as much as before. i also feel it during cornering it feels like massive understeer then the steering grabs, ( gives a floating sensation until it grabs, very light and vague )

has anyone had experiance of this in mk2's and anyone know what is likely to be? Coloum, Spindle, Rack? im not sure how to attack this other than throw parts at it  :sad:
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Offline rubjonny

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Re: Play in steering wheel
« Reply #1 on: 30 March 2009, 10:22 »
take out the dash undertray, watch the uj as you move wheel left/right play will become obvious here. repeat this test whilst looking at the track rods and ball joints, again play will be obvious.  sounds more lieka rack problem to me, you can adjust the play in the steering gear but iirc track needs to be out of the car to do so. the ammount of play you mention sounds terminal to me though :(
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Offline Dolly

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Re: Play in steering wheel
« Reply #2 on: 30 March 2009, 21:41 »
yeh it is alot of play, certainly more than a dodgy uj i think. and your about the 3rd person to say sounds like a fooked rack.

next question is, do i have to drop the subframe to change it? not had chance to get underneath and have a good look.
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Offline rubjonny

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Re: Play in steering wheel
« Reply #3 on: 31 March 2009, 10:40 »
You'll probably have to droip the subframe, the pas rack is a big bugger! I struggled to fit one even with the engine out as clearance is so tight!  If I were you I'd find another subframe and build it all up off the car, then do a like for like swap.  If wishbone bushes are a bit tired get another pair of bones with new bushes, uprated anti-roll bar and a new driver side 16v/G60 engine mount :)
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VeeDubGTI16v

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Re: Play in steering wheel
« Reply #4 on: 31 March 2009, 11:11 »
try the track rod ends first if i were you. do the easy cheap solution first!

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