The steering saga...

[JWC]

Having had my polo for a couple of weeks, it because apparent that there was a problem with the steering system. The steering wheel had a habit of thumping backward and foreward - only a few thou, but enough to cause a loud knock that could be felt through the pedals. The problem was not present on a cool morning but increases when the car gets warm in the sun etc. Also the steering wheel centre position was approximatley 5 degrees to the left.

I looked around for obvious things like checking the height adjustment was firmly engaged. I also noted that the trim underneith the column was incorrectly fitted leading me to think that someone had looked at it before. I wish I could find out why.

I work in Birmingham so I got it checked by Hartwell VW in Birmingham.

Day 1) Under warranty they decided that the steering column had to be replaced.
Day 2) Steering column replaced - I picked up car and noted that it was far worse infact. I also noted that the car didn't caster (straighten the steering) itself when the steering wheel released - hardly noticable around town, but on the motorway feels like a flat tyre or like someone is holding the steering wheel with you!
Day 3) Took it back to get a lecture of how universal joints can be stiff when new (Note I am a professional design engineer!).
I asked if there was a bearing at the top of the column that might have play in it, he said no. I gave them the benefit of the doubt and left it for a few days to loosen up. The situation seemed to improve but its very difficult to tell, perhaps its getting use to it. The intermittent and very annoying 'clunk', still persists - quite difficult to live with on something that is relatively new.

I found that my foot kept catching on the trim above the pedal, so I thought I'd take the dash trim off and inspect the column and fittings myself. I found a number of anchor points, and checked the fittings were sucure, they were I couldn't see anything amis, but did note that the wheel moved in and out (longitudinal movement) with respect to the column, so it was still moving W.R.T. the column. I couldn't get access to a bearing assembly at either end of the column but thought I'd leave it to vw to look at again. I reassebled the trim correctly this time, the plastic wasn't sitting in a pinch clip before.

Cleaned the car and inspected fluids etc, all fine, but noted that the inside tread of the drivers tyre was more worn than the outside. Also noted that the power steering pump was weeping small amounts of oil provided the pump on the very lower part of the engine is the PS pump, I don't think its the AC but its difficult to see. - checked the PS fluid level again and it seems ok, so not a major problem, wiped it clean so I could check it some other time. I have noted these pumps do weep especially when the driver uses full lock (should normally be avoided).

Day 4) Returned the car to vw to get a new speaker fitted, and mentioned the problem, and that I wanted to speak to their head engineer. A guy called John was very good and had a poke about. He didn't speak to me first, but then came across when I got an employee to go and nudge him.

He explained that it was not my imagination and that he'd noted that there was play in the bottom steering column bearing, and that by holding it he could make the problem go away. They decided that this needed to be done under warranty and provided a bunch of paperwork. So far so good, hurray they found what I considered to be the most likely fault. He seemed suprised that I was pleased my car was broken, but he obviously didn't know the full storey.

Unfortunately, he also noted that in his poking around he'd noted that both front tyres were worn on the inside (indicating excessive toe-out in my opinion, and possibly responsible for the feableness of the castering action). I was advised that this is a problem because it shouldn't go out of alignment without some wear in the system. We suspected the ball joints and also recommended that the caster angle be checked properly (the caster angle as its name suggests affects the castering or self centering of the steering and stability etc).

I obtained his worksheet write-up :
"Check for knock on steering - found bottom bearing worn, check for steering self centre, steering geometry requires a proper check, front tyres worn on inner edges [both], also check installation of ball joints."
This is not covered under the warranty, but because the car was only bought about a month ago, it was his opinion that the fault should have or be rectified by the garage the car was bought from Spirit of Banbury. Darren the guy that has been organising the work was quick to book the car in provisionally for the bearing work to be carried out as specified on Monday 12th July. But recommended that the geometry should be checked by Banbury because they sold the car and its an involved job - so if they were going to pay, then they would want to do it as it would save them cash. I rang Banbury to speak to Mark Derbyshire who sold the car to me, but he had left, so I explained the situation, and they put me through to service. Then I explained again - and they eventually got what I was talking about and concurred with Hartwell's recommendation that they should probably do it. (Even though I live no where near Banbury). The engineer I spoke to - also called mark, suggested that it was a good idea to get the bearing sorted first, since geometry is always the last job to do ( just incase fitting the bearing alters the geometry, although in my opinion it shouldn't). So its currenty booked in for 13th Tuesday - which is a sod because I'm trying to work through all this. I also asked for his opinion on the note that the caster angle should be checked because I didn't know it was adjustable, so if it were out I will demand to know why. They should have the details as the car was worked on by them in the past.

On the whole am very happy with the car, I think the problem with the column was mis-diagnosed on day 1, I feel that the original column was probably ok. The bearing is due for replacement on Monday, and I wait with baited breath for what they are going to find on tuesday, although I don't think anything can be too far miss-aligned as the car handles ok, and the tyre wear isn't excessive.

What I would want from Banbury as a 'valued customer' is just that the issue remaining the steering is rectified to my satisfaction. The car itself is very nice and I wouldn't want a different one. I am confident as an engineer that the problems are correctable and by Tuesday night it should be fine.

[zahir_213]

When I reverse and turn my steering wheel, I get a clunk at the same point everytime. Do you think this is related to your problem?

[JWC]

It could be, although I would suspect subframe movement in that case. But if its under warranty and even if not, will be good to get the vearings checked. My car has 28k on the clock!

[thebadun]

I get that clunk to! I was worried because that usually means something is quite wrong (although this normally only applies if the car is standing and you move the steering from lock to lock). Perhaps I'll get it checked out but no warranty and don't really want to get ripped off by my VW dealer again...

[JWC]

I'll find out how much it would cost without warranty for you.

[JWC]

Took it to banbury today, they found that there was too much toe out and that the camber setting on the right hand front wheel was also out. They managed to adjust most of the scrubbing settings, the castor angle is still out and different on each side, but with power steering this is less important than it would otherwise be.

FYI This is what the settings should be...

Rear Axle:
Camber -1.40 +/- .10 no more than .20 different
Toe +0.10 +/- 0.05 no more than .20 different
Geometric Driving Axis 0.00 +/- 0.1

Front:
Castor +1.20 +/- 0.30 no more than 0.3 different
KingPin Inclination 13 on mine
Toe Out on Turns -1.05 +/- 0.30
Camber -0.30 +/- 0.20
Toe 0.00 +/- 0.05

Set Back 0.00

Full Lock inner >35
Full Lock outer ~ full lock - 5


So there you go.

zahir_213 your looking at 140 quid to fix thump.

My Car was delayed because the indicators didn't work on the test drive. He fiddled and they worked again.

Just got home, they stopped again, went out to the shop, the worked again?!??!?!??????! I might have a look at those connectors if it happens again.

[JWC]

I get that clunk to! I was worried because that usually means something is quite wrong (although this normally only applies if the car is standing and you move the steering from lock to lock). Perhaps I'll get it checked out but no warranty and don't really want to get ripped off by my VW dealer again...

If someone could pull the wheel forward and backward, please let me know if it clunks. Mine can still be made to clunk, but doesn't seem to do it on a regular basis now. So I'm not too fussed.

[BlueSE_Mk5]

Hi,

I am new to this forum. I have been a member on clubpolo for years but been in and out of VW Polo action.

Sorry to drag up such an old post but I did a search and found this.

I have just brought a MK5 1.4 16v SE and the steering feels a little funny. There is a bit of play to the left and right and the casing around the wheel and column is loose and my foot gets stuck on the plastic underneath by the foot pedal which indicates the previous owner had problems with it and has tried to fix I reckon.

What was the exact problem with yours and how much do you think it would cost to rectify?

Thanks

Martin