Steering problem help?

[whitey90]

Hi everyone,
I'm having a problem with my steering and wondered if anyone else has had the same fault. When steering to the left from the straight ahead position, only about 30 degrees coming up to a roundabout for example, the steering locks up! if you pull harder on the wheel it will go past the problem or just ease off the steering then try again it is fine. I've jacked up the front and the steering is all moving smoothly it only happens whilst driving. Anyone know if the steering racks or steering columns are common on mk2's? this is my 3rd and i've not had this fault before?
Any help is greatly appreciated! ( the car is a 1990 gti 8v by the way ).

[dub-addict]

that sounds odd and has never happened to me , but it can only be the steering colum i imagine unless maybe the steering rack itself has become loose (worn rack mounts) and is fighting against it when you try and turn. consider any possiblity

[whitey90]

Thanks for the reply
it is a strange one I couldn't see anything wrong with the rack mounts earlier, I think it might be the uj on the column but I'm not sure

[dub-addict]

I had a problem lol a very different one to yours but similar in a way. i did a mk3 dash swap on a mk2 with all thje mk3 vr running gear steering rack to go with it etc , and before i finished halfway through i had to tow the car to my garage . lets just say it wasnt easy to steer , the rack was still loose and i still hadnt fully secured the lower part of the columb  so the columbs UJ was flexing up and down and steering rack left to right ahh the good ol times ( only last year lol) 

[russ-vdub]

If it steers fine when jacked up then surely its gotta be the top mounts that are completely shagged, hence when weight is on it hard to turn? Just a guess but it kinda sounds like a bearing has popped outta place or something....

[rubjonny]

is it power steering? if so, could be belt slippage. replace belt

[whitey90]

No mate, it's proper steering 

[rubjonny]

ah, check your rack boots. could be last bloke who set tracking left em all twisted up, which means they can get caught in the rack threads. otherwise I'd be checking top mounts and column + uj

[Bcarm]

I know this maybe a bit late but I had this problem once on a non power steering golf, ended up with a new rack.  Hope you get sorted, I had a few near misses as the steering would just jam and needed a good yank to free.

[whitey90]

Cheers bcarm, I knew someone must have had this before. I'll try a new rack