Steering Issues

[kittie]

Got a problem with the steering (or something) on my 92 8v. It has PAS.

The PAS seems to be a bit knackered, it's had two pumps on in the time I've had it and now it's hissing like a b!tch again and the steering is randomly going heavy/light at times, even after having driven for a while. The fluid level is fine but can't 100% rule out an air lock - could this cause the problem?

Also, the steering in general feels odd. The wheel is never straight - at the moment its down on the right when driving in a straight line, but you have to hold it there. It'll centre itself and drive off to the left if you let go. The tracking/camber etc has all been set up at a VW dealership after the new suspension went on, so should be ok. I took it there after trying numerous places who never put the steering wheel straight!

The dealership did say a track rod end was siezed up and I had to get it freed at a garage first.

The tracking seems to go out at the drop of a hat too, I've lost count of the number of times it's been done.

The steering wheel feels like it has a bit excessive play in it as well. There's also a knocking sound on turning occasionally (not sure of any more detail on that as it was my partner who experienced it). It generally feels all slack and crap (difficult to explain). It also goes on a wobbler when going over white lines onto a duel carriageway for example (pulls about).

Anyone got any ideas? I would just take it to the garage and say 'fix it!' but I'm pretty skint at the mo so could do with suggestions of things to check etc first 

[cняis]

i get the knocking when steering from the nearside, in fact its more of a "twang" or "clunk". this is most probably a ceased top mount bearing, as it becomes stiff the spring will move around inside the rubber cup rather than the bearing twisting. makes for a notchy and stiff drive, but sometimes its ok... 

[kittie]

Top mounts were replaced at same time as the rest of the suspension so should be fine.

Have now experienced the 'knock' myself - it feels like it's in steering wheel itself? It feels wobby and makes a 'chunk' sound/feel when turning it sometimes?

[cняis]

steering rack? or maybe steering rack bushes. might be worth put the car on axle stands and turning the steering, which would take the weight off the steering components. would rule out a dodgy rack if all felt smooth

[dan23]

you might have a split CV gattor mate, that will cause a knocking through the steering while when its put on full lock, if its happening when you just turn the steering wheel it could be the steering rack.

do as said above and jack it up and have a look see, but the knocking i recon might just be a split CV gattor as mine is doing it atm aswell cos the gattor has split

when it comes to the PAS side of things i cant help you there sorry

[kittie]

hmmm CV gaitors were ok when the suspension was done but could have got a split since then...

Will jack it up and have a look...

Or I could if my fella hadn't left the jack and axle stands at his friends farm.... balls   

[dan23]

hmmm CV gaitors were ok when the suspension was done but could have got a split since then...

it dont take much to split a CV gaitor as they are only rubber, the easiest way to check it put the wheel on full lock to the rigth and run your fingers around the gaitor on the left wheel, then put the steering lock to the left and check the right wheel, but if it was the gaitor the bearing will knock as its put on full lock.

see the CV join has to have laodsa grease in it to keep the joint lubed so metal dont grind on metal, and what happens is if its got even the slightest split, when the car gets hot the grease heats up and just seeps out, its alway a good idea to have a look anyway cos its best to find these fings as they start cos the longer its left the more damage it will do to the CV joint

[cняis]

hmmm CV gaitors were ok when the suspension was done but could have got a split since then...

it dont take much to split a CV gaitor as they are only rubber, the easiest way to check it put the wheel on full lock to the rigth and run your fingers around the gaitor on the left wheel, then put the steering lock to the left and check the right wheel, but if it was the gaitor the bearing will knock as its put on full lock.

see the CV join has to have laodsa grease in it to keep the joint lubed so metal dont grind on metal, and what happens is if its got even the slightest split, when the car gets hot the grease heats up and just seeps out, its alway a good idea to have a look anyway cos its best to find these fings as they start cos the longer its left the more damage it will do to the CV joint

make you know your stuff, wanna come fix my car? 

[dan23]

hmmm CV gaitors were ok when the suspension was done but could have got a split since then...

it dont take much to split a CV gaitor as they are only rubber, the easiest way to check it put the wheel on full lock to the rigth and run your fingers around the gaitor on the left wheel, then put the steering lock to the left and check the right wheel, but if it was the gaitor the bearing will knock as its put on full lock.

see the CV join has to have laodsa grease in it to keep the joint lubed so metal dont grind on metal, and what happens is if its got even the slightest split, when the car gets hot the grease heats up and just seeps out, its alway a good idea to have a look anyway cos its best to find these fings as they start cos the longer its left the more damage it will do to the CV joint

make you know your stuff, wanna come fix my car? 

lol i know a bit about golfs, but when it comes to fixing them im as helpfull as a monkey on drugs

[kittie]

Cheers, will try this!

Doubt it's that though cause the knocking is coming from the steering wheel itself I think, like it's loose and rattly or something....