Handling problems

[Classic16v]

I've had problems with my steering for a while now and wondered if anyone could shed any light on it.

Every now and then I feel the steering pull to the left or the right all on its own, and to me it doesn't feel like it's coming from the road surface but it feels like it's an internal problem. I took my car to a garage to have the power steering looked over and they noticed that the camber angle was out, and told me that this was probably the reason for the pulling. So I got them to re-set the camber angle on the front wheels and at the same time also had them correct the tracking (as it was pulling to the right).

However, i'm still getting the same problems! The car will still pull to the right on a straight road now depending on how I set the steering wheel, as if the steering column itself gets stuck in position even though the tracking is correct. Has anyone had any experience with these sorts of problems? Can the steering column stick?

Another small thing is after a right hand turn, when I straighten the steering wheel, there is a little click which I feel through the wheel. Could this have anything to do with the steering column?

Cheers in advance for any help - I'm a complete novice when it comes to the steering!

[bomp]

It's more than likely to be worn bushes in the wishbone that's causing the steering to pull. I bet it's the rear bush in the wishbone, as it has more lateral movement applied to it when going over bumps and stuff.

I used to get the same problem until I changed mine for polly ones (standard are fine but polly are firmer).  My steering would turn even if I rode on a white paint line on the road.

The clicking when turning, could be the CV joint is on its way out (wearing out).

[VeeDubGTI16v]

check those 3 bolts that hold the balljoint to the wishbone are tight as well

[rowlers]

off to change my wishbones now

due to wandering sterring over bumps and stuff

Will let you know how it goes and if there is any improvement!

[Classic16v]

OK, cheers guys.  I'll have a look at the wishbones - how do you tell if the bushes are worn?  Is it quite obvious?

Rowlers, if you could let me know how you get on with the change that'd be greatly appreciated

[bomp]

Take a look at Tobz thread http://www.golfgtiforum.co.uk/index.php?topic=58144.0

Mine were'nt as bad as that, but not far off. The metal centre gets seperated from the rubber over time.

I used a core hole cutter (attatched to a drill) to get rid of the rubber and then cut the outer metal ring of the bush with a junior hacksaw, then chased it off with a screw driver.  The front bush was like new on mine but as I had new polly ones I cut that out too with a core cutter.

[rowlers]

Just got back from parents sunday lunch mmmmmm!

Anyhoo, got the drivers side off and replaced in abour 30mins, was going nicely!!

got to the pass side and the bottom ball joint bolt was seized after an hour of banging and clattering it finally came out!

wapped the new WB in then as I tightened the bottom ball joint back up the threads stripped

another hour of banging and clattering finally got the bolt back out found a suitable replacement (in the "box of bits") wapped it on and bingo all done.

TBH it doesn't feel that much different, the old bushes were shot at though so it was worth it, maybe after a decent alignment it will be better.

The steering doesn't fully come back to the centre, hopefully this is just the camber, what else could it be??

[8vRicey]

mine was very similar to what you describe. turned out one of the rear spring top mounts was completely shot. changed this and it cured it. might be worth a look  

[bomp]

You prolly need to adjust the steering gear bolt a little bit. Look here http://www.iol.ie/~kilkennyhockey//BentleyManual/SU01/ch7.2.5.html the one pictured is left hand drive so if your RHD, just look at the oposite side. 

[rowlers]

bomp:
thats interesting! I've never heard of that!

how do I do know which rack I have though?