UK-POLOS.NET - THE VW Polo Forum

Normally, it's the cble that goes in the seat, not the spring.

PS the steering isn't so bad once you've got used to it....

...and a few laps round the local multi-storey have bulked up your biceps and pecs!

It's only a bind at low speeds or stopped, and not really that bad even so after a while. Over about 15mph you'd be hard pushed to tell its unassisted, outside of really powerful cornering.

PAS might make you overcook it, even.

(I *do* have it and heavily appreciate it in the astra, however i've driven an unassisted one before and it was a drag at all speeds - and if the thing was capable of oversteer on anything other than the big gravel pit that is works car park at the mo, it probably would have seen me overdoing it into a hedge without realising)

Thanks for the post(s) guys.

I'm afraid that the car may be going up for sale sooner than i know it if i don't get power steering retro fitted quick enough. It's a b***h to drive. Yes i'm being wimpy. It makes our new car feel like a go kart since the steering on it is so light that it can be turned with my little finger.

I'll take a look into sorting the minor problems out one by one. I'd really love to keep the car. All that is stopping me is lack of power steering and FUNDS!

If anyone knows of anyone or any garage that can fit power steering, kindly do let me know.

Get down the gym

Seriously though I do know what you mean, the first time I drove my Mk2 after about 6 months not driving it, I turned right to pull a U-turn in a layby and nearly went straight in the ditch that ran behind the layby

Joking aside, it shouldn't be very heavy. I'm wonderring about something being a bit worn somewhere.

Personally, on a small car like a polo, I prefer none-PAS, as I find I have a better feel of what's going on. Apart from on my dad's 205 diesel, which is heavier on the arms than my kit car (and it's a 1.5 tonne, none-PAS truck)

I'll freely admit it's not quite the featherlight doddle to steer that a modern car is, but really - it shouldn't be something that's really putting you off, unless something's wrong. My Polo on 145s compares quite well with a PAS Astra on 195s - it's certainly the heavier one, but its a matter of some degree rather than an order of magnitude, and the feel is much better than the assisted car once the two are rolling.

(if the car turns out a-ok and you still can't handle it, take it from me - don't swap it for a non-PAS one of them, you won't get it off the driveway without dislocating your shoulder)

The idea is to make you find it when searching for something else, but if you are looking for a G40 the chance of wanting to buy that GT are pretty low don't you think?

Yeah it is annoying... Looks like you got a bargain there matey...

Anyone who thinks the mk 3 polo steering is too heavy is a pussy, end of.

You should be worried if you like the no feel, womens car steering that gives abosuletly no feel or feedback of the car on the road.

i don't mean to impose but the only other person i've had complain about a polo's lack of power steering is my sister.

i personally like the more hands on feel, more fun....although i do miss being able to paralell park my Learner car with 1 finger on the wheel

Ok folks, calm down. Sorry to make an issue out of the steering.

I guess i'll get used to it. Really want to work on the car, and make it feel how i want it to.

Got a quote for fitting power steering, between £200-£300. Don't think it's worth it at the moment. Might think of it later on.

The steering is actually extremely hard/heavy to turn. Especially when standing still (even though shouldn't be doing that). It might be something to do with the tyres too, because the alloys are deepdish, so the tyres are slightly wider (i think? )

I'll just have to see. Want to start working on the car and personalise it though.

If you're feeling the need for power steering and everyone else is saying that you are a wimp, then either you are or there is something wrong!

If you learnt to drive in a car with power steering, then a car without it is really different to ger used to!

Give it time....

lol its definately the dishes mate

whack some narrower winter wheels on and you'll feel a hell of a difference

after what you said, i was prepping myself for some serious exertion when taking poppy out for a test run (i haven't exactly got the upper body strength of charles atlas)... it didn't happen. Scratch what I said before - even at walking pace the steering is pretty easy. At any point you're resting your foot on the throttle rather than idling it, you shouldn't be too aware that it's not PAS!

Parking is a little difficult, you can't spin the wheel or anything, but it's not exactly impossible. It reminds you that you're grinding your rubber over the tarmac, against all advice of your driving instructor

Unless you commonly find yourself having trouble picking up mildly heavy items (e.g. a bag of sugar) that others are fine with, I'd strongly suggest you first try it with more regular size wheels (mine are 145s - but 155, 165 will probably have a similar feel), and if it's still bad, have it looked at by a pro.

(Partly because you'll lose a bit of the steering sensation, which is a large part of the sensory experience in this car - particularly in order to stop you killing yourself on wet roundabouts (goes light) or pushing it too hard on motorway corners (weights right up)!)

course, having power fitted if you're deadset on keeping the wide wheels is probably for the best

The Mark3 steering I don't find too bad at all!

I like the feedback I get from it, and made the transition from my power assisted (almost) everything learner clio to my Polo without any problems (well the clutch caught me out once or twice ).

I've ran mine with 185/60/13 tyres which are pretty wide without the steering being too taxing, and have driven a car with 15" wheels with 195/45 rubber, and again had no issues with overly heavy steering.

I will admit though, some parking manourvers can be a b***h, but you find ways around it.

All this taken into account, I'm not the incredible hulk either .

Karl.