New springs and loose steering

[Skywalker80]

Hi guys

About a month ago I put some new Eibach springs on my Bilstein B4 shocks, replaced top mounts and all bump stops while I was at it. After having to sort out some other issues with the car, I have finally been able to drive it over the last week.

But, it feels horrible. Its an 8v GTI and the eibach springs are the 30-35mm ones, so not a massive drop but the steering is now ridiculously loose and feels horrible when on full lock.
The other thing I've noticed is that I can put the car in my garage straight, and when I push it out it comes out at an angle, drivers front wheel is straight and the pass front is toeing out slightly. Am I right in thinking if camber is out, it will effect toe?

I tried a couple of things last night and can confirm there is a difference in lock to lock. If I turn the wheel to the right it will go 1 and 3 quarter revolutions, the left side will go 2 revolutions. I have also noticed that if I wiggle the steering wheel I can hear a faint clunk that appears to be coming from the steering column - could be the bearing? I asked a garage about this last year and said the rack was fine, but now I'm having my doubts and also wonder if the clunk is coming from the pass side track rod?

I'm hoping it just needs a full alignment including camber, as it wasn't like this on the old shocks.
If this is the case, what are the best settings for a daily driver? The ones in the Haynes book or slightly different? Does it need to be different as its lower now?

Any help would be great.

[Waspy]

Sounds like you have a lot going on there...

Since you have disturbed it, the alignment needs doing anyway (get the camber done too) so I would get that done and see what it cures. Your tracking could be massively out, which will affect the steering. Dropping the car naturally affects the camber, but a decent garage should still be able to get it close. For a daily driver I would say set it up standard. Tires will last longer and it will handle as it was supposed to.

Not sure about the clunk though. I had a clunk on full lock because one of my bearings was foooked. Was cured when bearing were done, doesn't sound the same as yours though.

[Skywalker80]

Cheers fella, I do think the tracking and camber are way out. I haven't driven the car in about 3 months as its been in the garage and the car I've been using has electric power steering, so I don't know if I've adapted to a modern car! But in all the years of having a non power assisted golf, I can never remember the steering being this loose.

[VW BUSH]

If the camber and tow is out then your steering will feel off.
The weight of the car will pull it off feeling like the steering is loose or assisted.
sounds like you have something out of adjustment.
You need it tracked and aligned before you go looking for anything else.
I would go for book settings if you have normal wheels or as close as.
The clunk is probably a ball joint if its not the column.
You need to do this before you get the alignment done.
My money is on bottom joint but seeing as the steering feels funny check the ones on the rack.
How are wishbone bushes?
Moving the suspension height changes the angle at which everything works. If bits are worn then it shows up straight away or very quickly once you have done a few miles.