Steering issues mk3 Gti

[RichardBaronGolf]

Hi all,

Been a while since i've posted here and what don't you know I'm after advice! My mk3 has been having some steering problems as of late, I feel the car handles pretty poorly considering its set up, fully poly bushed, Eibach ARB's and Spax Coilovers.

I had the car hunter wheel aligned recently, however the wheel is off centre when the car is going straight. This has happened with a number of alignments i've had even though the sheets are reading perfect the steering wheel is off centre, the steering feels unresponsive and sloppy.

Another symptom i've noticed is I will sometimes be able to turn left very easily (i.e. power steering) and then back to the right will be very stiff. I am starting to think I have a problem with my rack, Power steering fluid levels seem to be okay!

Any advice? Thanks in advance! 

[N900 MJT]

I found that even once the full alignment had been made my wheel was out ever so slightly, luckily I am running a Momo Team 280 so it takes about 15 mins to take the wheel off and resit it so that the wheel is straight with the front wheels.

Have you checked that there is enough steering fluid in the bottle? no leaks or anything

[Foreveryoungaus16v]

My set up handles like a dream 

[RichardBaronGolf]

We have a very simular set up, different coilovers and I i'm yet to get my strut braces, but I would think mine should handles miles better than it does there is diefinatly something very wrong :/

Fluid dosen't seem to link, had a look under the car a few times track rods and tie rods all seems well, I'm starting to think I need a new rack. Driving yesterday it almost feels there a point between the turning the wheel left and right which dosen't effect the steering!

Steering response feels like im driving a boat lol.

[Foreveryoungaus16v]

New top mounts? What wheel size and tyres you running? Anything above 16' is not great handling in my opinion. Tyre pressure?  What Spax do you have? Rsx are meant to be ok. Budget coilovers won't help with handling. Ball joints done? I would take it to a good tuning company/mechanic.

[RichardBaronGolf]

Yep new polybushed top mounts! 16" With 205/45's or 50's cant remember now! Tire pressure 32psi I believe, RSX Spax Collies fully height and dampening adjustable. The car for a while was handliong very well, gradually I started to notice it was getting worse and likew everything the longer you leave it the more c*** it gets lol.

I agree it does need a proper looking at, it's going in on the 27th August where I take it for loads of bits so hopefully will have it diagnosed then, I've been searching in the meantime (like I do) hoping for a miricle answer but from having a look myself I can't see anything wrong, I'll update on the outcome when it comes out!

Out of interest if it was the rack the cheapest i've found supplied new atm is through this company:

http://www.acspowersteering.co.uk/vw-golf-mk3-power-steering-rack-92-98/

[Foreveryoungaus16v]

Sounds like a top set up my friend.  Weird hey, I would get a specialist to give it a good look over.

I would not buy anything until you know exactly what the issue is. No point in guessing and shelling out on parts you don't need

[LR5V]

How old are your bushes, poly bushes don't last for ever.
Steering rack, has that been poly bushed -bolts might be loose or the rack can slide about if you greased the inside of the bush that goes against the rack.
Front wishbone bolts tight? -they can work loose if you are too liberal with copper grease, always best to carefully put thread lock on the section of bolt that goes into the sub-frame & grease the section within the front bush.
How are your Wheel bearings? Ball joints?

[RichardBaronGolf]

Morning LR5V thanks for your reply

All the poly bushes were done at the same time and are less than a year old. The steering rack has been polybushed, Had'nt thought of the greasing suggestion I will check that! Front wishbones are 100% tight I had an issue with a bolt dropping out of one a couple of months back  Replaced all bolts both sides and a few others under there whilst at it all geneuine from VW.

Rear wheel bearings have just started to go recently, the fronts have been change within the last year. However the problem has been around before the rears have started to go so i'm sure there not causing it. Ball joints yet to be check, earlieest oppurtunity will be next week.

I'm starting to wonder and probably should have mentioned before that when my wishbone bolt failed I may have damaged something 

[LR5V]

More info on the damage?
If your rack is moving, if you look carefully down behind the engine at the bracket that is part of the rack you may see clean sub-frame where it has been sliding, it only about 3-4mm each way... don't ask how I know!