Left right left right left right...

[Brighouse-gti]

... is currently how my steering feels. Ive check all the bushes on the wishbones and they seem fine. I had the wheels balanced just for piece of mind and still no improvement. I'm thinking its time for some new shock top mounts (unless anyone has other suggestions?) and I'm just looking for some advice on which brand to go for. Has anyone bought some that have lasted 5 minutes, cheap n cheerfull? Or has anyone got a good quality pair that are still standing the test of time! Are poly bushes a good idea for top mounts? Also there's a bit of play in the steering, is there a way to cure this. I'm generally just trying to 'stiffen'  up the steering so it feels like when I turn left or right it does just that, and not feel as though the wheels are kinda 'turning themselves' if that all makes sense!
As always, ta in adv!!

[Sgt_Lemon]

Vr6 top mounts

[VW BUSH]

You say you have checked the wishbones and links?
Or was it more of a wiggle and a look?

Rubbers are cheap

[Thom89]

What you've described sort of sounds like the power steering belt slipping! Which is quite a common problem on mk2s, replace your belt to start with and take it from their

Thom

[Brighouse-gti]

Good point there thom, now that you mention it there is a slight rattling noise coming from around the power steering pump, it almost sounds like something is loose internally! Are there bearings internally that could become knackered? Steering wise theres about an inch each way play in the steering wheel before the steering turns the wheels. Is it possible the power steering unit is about to pack it in?
 Also yes, I checked the wishbone bushes and ARB bushes, no signs of cracking or excessive wear, which lead me to think it would be the shock top mounts.

[Sgt_Lemon]

a slipping belt will make the steering go heavy. Check the fluid and replace it as the dirty old sh!t can't be helping. Check for pully for play when the engine is running. If the bearing has gone then the pulley might be fluctuating whilst running. Try and give it a wiggle by hand also for bearing play. Also consider a old stretched belt or the one you have has good tension on the belt.

I replaced the bearings at the same time as the top mounts and the steering became much lighter and the power steering whined less as it had less work to do.