Worrying Wobbling

[DRobbo]

Hi all...

Recently got my first Golf Mk2... A 1.6 Driver... And have noticed a bit of a worrying 'feature'...

When driving at any moderate pace over roughish surfaces, the steering wheel gains a mind of its own and wobbles all over the place  as if each front wheel is trying to go its own way or the steering arms are only loosely connected...

Has anyone experienced anything similar? There is no noticeable problem on smooth surfaces.

Cheers for your help!

[Mew]

Has it been lowered or have wide wheels by any chance?

If not, or even if, the tracking could be out.

[spankyVR6]

It sounds like the bushes maybe tired, my Dad's GTI does the same. It's fine on smooth surfaces but hit a bump and it moves the steering wheel quite a bit, and if you turn quickly you can get some serious understeer, which is fun if you know it's going to happen!

[8vRicey]

Has it been lowered or have wide wheels by any chance?

If not, or even if, the tracking could be out.

and/or camber also ! 

[Organisys]

check wishbones bushes, ball joints, and steering rack bushes.

[takethefifth]

Wheels balanced. Make sure a weight hasn't come off.

[DRobbo]

Booked for tracking next week! For sure it is a bit out...

I think it could be ball joints/bushes though, I've had misaligned wheels before and it aint the same! Will this be expensive to fix/an absolute pain???

[rowlers]

I also need new rear wishbone bushes, as my valver has a tendancy to wander a bit!
GSF do a set of new wishbones with bushes for £32 +VAT and P&P, I bought mine off ebay though, £17.50 each wishbone including bushes and bottom ball joint.

You can also buy a wishbone repair kit for about £10,  this means you have to take your wishbones off get the old bushes out and get the new bushes pressed in - not worth the hassle IMO!

If you can fit them yourself then your laughing, you will need tracking and camber afterwards though!

One thing to watch for though is the captive nuts (that the wishbone bolts screw into) shearing off, you then have the hassle of lifting carpets in the footwells, cutting a hole in your floor!!!!  :shocked:and then welding the nut back on!!! then you also have to weld the floor back up!

hope this helps

[DRobbo]

It went for the tracking today....









Tracking fine!
Bushes fine!
Shocks dead! Bummer...

Anyone got shocks and springs for lowering a mk2 driver?? 

[Organisys]

check here for some good shocks.

www.vwspares.co.uk - look for the Boge Gas shocks labelled 'Advantage'
I think they may have lowering springs too, although get some Eibach springs if you can afford it, they are about £100.