Tracking/Steering issue

[The Bomb]

Hello.  I've just bought an L reg mark 3 gti and it's lovely and been very well looked after.  Had an mot 800 miles ago.  But the steering is always pulling to the left and is generally heavy and when i brake hard when i'm going fast it pulls hard to the left and when i'm turning right with the steering wheel hard right it makes a bit of a noise.  Is it just the tracking or something like i need a new steering rack or wheel bearings or something or could it be something really bad like headgasket?  Please help.  Thanks 

[topher]

i don't mean to come across as a c0ck, but if you suspect a headgasket makes your car pull to the left you probably just want to drop it off at a garage and have them check the alignment for you.

[The Bomb]

no you don't come across as a c0ck it's just that i had a 1.8 golf driver years ago and it was perfect and the only thing that was wrong with it was that it pulled to the left and then one morning i went out and it wouldn't start and the headgasket had gone.  i'm thick...you tell me!!

[topher]

ah so there was some method to your madness then

something could be bent, worn down, incorrectly adjusted or just plain broken. Nothing that will break the bank though mk3 parts are cheap enough should anything need replacing.

[The Bomb]

thanks, i will take it down but i've only had it since last night and i love it so much i'm frightened that i'll take it down and they'll say oh it's really bad, how do you add pics?!

[topher]

image posting guide http://www.golfgtiforum.co.uk/index.php?topic=85911.0

if you get a horror story from one garage, take it to another for a second opinion. Give us a hint as to your location someone here might be able to recommend a dub loving garage in your area

[The Bomb]

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[The Bomb]

Brill...just done a test...bit big and naff but will get hang of it.  cheers mate

ps there is a vw garage just down the road but every time i go there they give me really bad news about my cars and i want some not so bad news for a change!

[mcgee9t2]

chances are its just the tracking out, take it to get it alligned if that doesent work then start looking into what else it could be.

reminds me actually i nede my tracking checking...

[dom]

i don't mean to come across as a c0ck, but if you suspect a headgasket makes your car pull to the left you probably just want to drop it off at a garage and have them check the alignment for you.