Possibly new steering rack :O VW golf

daelo

daelo

daelo

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22 Sep 2009
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Hi all,

I've been browsing the Mk5 GTI forums (VW) for steering rack issues and came up with a video that is pretty much the same noise as i'm finding. There is a definite movement and knock when move wheel around when stationary, even if only say 45 degrees. Car is 08 and on 86k and doesn't appear to have had a rough life (GTI edition 30)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RfvwAeK7uCI

Took it to an indi garage who charged me £20 just for the diagnostic (which is fair enough as it is there time they are spending) who then couldn't come up with a definite answer on whether the steering rack is shot, even though they think that is the case. Again, according to the forums it appears the mk5 golfs steering rack wasn't the stronger point having been upgraded around 08, but at 86k miles seems a little low for it to fail?

To judge if it is a steering rack issue is about 2 1/2 hours of disassembly which i would have to pay for either way, therefore seems pertinent to buy a steering rack for them to fit in if indeed that is the problem.

They want to charge £950 odd for rack and new track rod ends supplied and fitted, i know racks are expensive and by the sounds of it around 4-5 hours labour. I would probably supply them a steering rack complete with new track rod ends which should lower the cost slightly.

Question is, will VW be able to confirm if it is a steering rack problem without charging, or will it be a usual £70 plug it in type of diagnostic charge? I've called my local VW in Solihul who are crap at customer service never giving call backs when a service manager isn't available, i'll have to go in and wait for one i'm guessing!

Help appreciated.
 
So....

When I bought my MK5 Golf GTi (brand new) in July 2005 within 2 weeks I heard a creaking sound from the steering rack when turning the wheel to full lock. It sounded nothing like the sound you describe on your video! Anyway, obviously a brand new car at 2 weeks old, it went straight back and had a new steeing rack fitted (when they could finally get one a few months later!). It took VW in Redditch 3 days to fit it!

I would be skeptical about that sound you have described being the steering rack (although I am no expert!). It sounds more like a CV joint/boot to me.

Once the new rack was on the car I drove it (hard) for another 118k with little else going wrong with it and the steering rack was perfect when I sold it!

Probably best to take it to VW and get them to tell you whether it is actually the rack or something else that has gone!
 
Sounds very much like play in one of the universal joints found on the steering shaft. Used to get it a lot on the BMW E46s:

https://youtu.be/bwT1_Lv9fz4

Either way, I'd probably get another opinion and take it to a small garage. They'll get it up in the air, get someone to wiggle to steering and check all parts of the steering system to see where the clunk is coming from. It isn't exactly rocket science.
 
I've booked it in at VW monday morning for a diagnosis. Starts at £66 for 20 minutes or so and then from there on is chargeable if they can't diagnose the issue within that time.

Whilst I understand that time is money, if they can't find the problem within an hour or so the labour rate is £120 ish per hour for a problem with a product designed by them that I have to pay to tell them what's wrong with it, I hope they find the issue quickly!
 
Not happy about doing it yourself?

Steering racks are actually quite simple to remove if your handy and have lots of tools.

Took myself and a mate 3 hours to change mine on my mazda 3.
 
Not on a mk5 they're not. It's not the physical fitting but they need to be coded with the correct maps for the model and the looms are different depending on the year

OP. I had this done at a specialist just under 2 years ago to my R32, surprisingly the rack is exactly the same across all mk5 models, but each model has up to 9 individual maps stored in the rack ECU. The updated rack is only different in that it's able to operate park assist.
Mine was about £1400 including a genuine rack and the replacement wiring loom (the later rack needs a new loom as it doesn't fit pre 08 cars, you might be lucky, ETKA will know which rack you have from the vin). A new rack comes complete with rod ends.

Think the parts were about 1k so if 950 is for a genuine rack fitted then that's good.

Easiest way to check is get it up on a lift (post not ramps to take all the load off the suspension, use a level to put pressure against the track rod and driveshaft and you will find the clunk.
My tech also disconnected the track rods from the uprights and the clunk dissapeared....
Mine made the exact same cluimk but also did it when braking with any force.
 
I wouldn't bother booking it into a dealer as they will likely want to strip the rack out to tell you that is 100% the fault, dealer price for new rack is around £1700 as it is 6 hours book time and 1.1k for the parts. Your car will have a gen 2 rack which is no longer available new and has been replaced by the gen 3 rack. Wheel alignment will need to done once it has been replaced.

When in stock http://www.acspowersteering.co.uk/ will do a brand new OEM gen 3 rack for approx £350 with track rod ends (always check their ebay store as they generally sell them cheaper), your car will need a new wiring loam 1K2 971 111AJ which is approx £100 from dealer/TPS. The subframe bolts are stretch bolts and should be replaced when they remove/refit the rack, these are approx £50

The gen 3 rack will need coded to the car with VCDS/dealer kit as the steering angle sensor is incorporated into the gen3 rack but is in the steering column on the gen1/2 so needs to be disabled on the new rack. VCDS can not load the steering profile which adjusts the weight of the steering this can only be done with the dealer kit (that very few independents have) and loads the profile from VW HQ. You can leave this step out and the steering will work but on a GTI model it is set to a heavier profile which won't be enabled so the steering will be lighter it also leaves a fault code but doesn't illuminate any dashboard lights.

£950 is a fair price if that includes all parts, coding and wheel alignment. I wouldn't risk a second hand rack, you do have the option of having yours rebuilt it's £100 cheaper than a new rack but would also save an coding issues and the need for the new loom.
 
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As above, definitely wouldn't be booking it in at a dealer. Accurate fault finding is not their forte.
 
If it does end up requiring a new rack just check the state of play as to whether they are new or recon units. When my Octavia needed one my mechanic wouldn't touch it as he said only reconditioned units were available and that he couldn't offer the same warranty as a dealer. Ended up getting it done at Skoda and then done again under warranty 16 months later when the reconditioned unit went :eek:
 
Got it fixed at Midland VW in the end.

£1075 which included:

New pattern part similar to the ACS tuning pointed out above - gen 3
New loom
Inner Tie Road and Outer track rods - tie rods were seized so had to cut them off
Balljoints whilst they were at it

Also got them to fit some new stretch bolts with spacer plats for the subframe, i think this has made quite a difference as there's much less noticeable knock when letting off the throttle quickly at slow speeds, i.e. movement between the subframe.

All in all, money I didn't want to spend but it'll help its value and now it feels really good and tight again, ready for another trip to wales and france in the summer! Whoever suggested the A4391 in wales is a legend, that road and the small 1 track road leading from the A5 are amazing!! (better than the evo triangle as more twisties)
 
That's good it's sorted. I'm an Edition30 owner too. I found out this week I've got number 0002, my limited edition plaque should be arriving in the post today.

Enjoy Wales!
 
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