zed - quick one for you, when a steering box is on its way out, will it make a loud clicking noise in its centre position? I think mine may be on its way, when you steer, it feels like you steer and the wheels follow with a delayed reaction & you end up with having to overcompensate and correct it. You can tell by the feel of the steering somethings not right! Its not the tracking btw, this was all done recently!
There's been a lot of chat recently about steering pin or at least I think that's what's it called - it's in the centre of the front beam I think that can cause steering to be a bit slack - not sure what the clicking is though - normally if something up front is clicking as you you go round a corner that is cv joint - if in a straight line no idea.
Take ball joint off steering box and waggle short arm from box to check for play. Best get a mate to hold steering wheel. Adjust if needed. Buddies steering box went and in his case didn't mention any clicking, it just jammed solid, no warning If idler pins shot it'll be happily going up and down when steerings turned
If you have a look at the steering box, is it all oily/greasy looking?? Could be the seals have failed and it has got low on lubricant
Cheers Dave & Paul, this is going to be our first port of call, new genuine vw coupling ordered today, will have a look see on Thursday. Will also inspect the box seal closer - it didn't look like it was leaking but you never know! I'll also see if it needs adjustment as well. The rest of the steering components are new, but I'll also give the idler pin a quick check whilst I'm at it
Problem found weve replaced the steering coupling as this looked a bit ropey but the main issue is the amount of play in the steering arm, we are certain thats the cause - thats saturday tied up, weather permitting! Cheers for the reply folks, much appreciated!
I hope you used the hard genuine one... there is a cheaper one that is soft, and apparently they don't last too well
Yep genuine all the way - the previous was looks to be genuine too, dont think its the original though!
I know this from experience, cheap one in absoloutely pointless replaced it after 6 months its too soft!
Checked mine that I fitted last year when I got the van and have driven less than 30 miles with since - and turns out it's a non-original soft one and is already not looking good ( Another thing that already needs replacing that I purchased from a certain supplier before I knew better...
most places do them, just check before you buy, VWH - http://www.vwheritage.com/vw_spares...ntry_GB.htm?crumbStartPage=2&crumbStartRow=16
Found the problem with the steering box - the adjustment had taken all the backlash out of it, the worn idler pin made it feel like there was some. We put some backlash back (ala the Bentley manual) & its considerably better! The clicking noise has gone too, thankfully!
