MK2 Steering Rack Replacement

[philstar]

Hey guys I have just had my tracking done and been told by the guy at ATS that my steering rack is DANGEROUS and I should get it changed right away and not drive the car.

Now, I have been driving it around for a few weeks, and whilst it does pull to the left and clunk a bit, I have never been in a situation where I felt like my control was compromised, even in this bad snow, so I'm not sure how to take his opinion, but then my VW experience is limited (my classic car experience is not, however).

My question is this, does anybody know where I can get a new rack with bushes etc? I have found this one on GSF:

http://www.gsfcarparts.com/430vg0080

But it's just the rack itself and if I'm brutally honest they don't seem to look out for customers interests as much as I'd like so I would be happy to go elsewhere.

Is thee anybody in the forum who would back this guy up and urge me not to drive it at all until it is replaced?

Cheers.

[Tim_R]

Did you ask them to show you why they thought it was dangerous? The only reason I can thing of is excessive play in the rack because the guide bush on the passanger side has worn allowing some vertical movement.

[philstar]

Yeah I asked but they had already taken it down off the lift, the guy was Russian so communication was hard. I tend to get the feeling these corporation garages are all about money...

I will have a look myself as soon as I can, does anybody know any scirrocco specialists in the midlands near to Redditch? need to find a trustworthy, caring garage.

[the edmundator]

I don't know of any decent VW specialists in the West Midlands (I know of some VW specialists in the W. Mids, just not decent ones), let alone Scirocco specialists.

You might be able to find somewhere reputable close to you using http://www.goodgaragescheme.co.uk/.

I can confirm (sadly, from expensive experience) that the VW dealer in Redditch are useless with anything that doesn't plug into a computer to tell them what's wrong; they employ technicians, not mechanics.

[Risocco]

Hey mate, this guy is a legend...

http://www.volkshop.co.uk/kidderminster.htm

Bit of a trek for you but not the end of the world.

[philstar]

Outstanding, cheers!

[PeteGLi]

How does it handle since you had the tracking done, compared to how it handled before?

I would take the car to your nearest laser wheel alignment centre (I use these - Alignmycar - you can find your nearest on its website) and ask them to check it - usually free, and while it is on their ramp, you can have a good look at the steering rack.

If, as Tim_R suggests, it is just the bush mounting the rack to the body, that is an easy fix - fit a new polybush. It is, I think, quite rare for the actual rack to be the problem, but if the bush in the passenger end of the rack has gone, you can get a replacement on ebay.

[philstar]

It seems pretty much the same since they adjusted the tracking, though they did say that the tracking wasn't far out in the first place. I'll have to get under it as soon as I can and do an inspection, trouble is I've organised a few drinks in a brewery this weekend... dear oh dear...

[mark1gls]

Is the Scirocco steering rack diffenrent from a Mk1 golf? if not they are £74.40 from GSF
http://www.gsfcarparts.com/parts/steeri ... ering-rack

Or try here
http://www.carparts4less.co.uk/steering ... ring-mount

I replaced mine a couple of months ago as when I held the track rod and pulled it up and down there was play and a knocking noise (also happened when driving the car)
I thought it was just the ball joint at the end of the track rod but when I removed it there was still the knocking noise on the end of the rack.
I did the whole lot in the end, track rod ends, track rods, steering rack gators and the rubber mounts and the rubber boot for the UJ joint. I changed it on the drive on jacks and axel stands but you will need to remove the rear engine mount, gear linkage and take the exhaust down pipe off from the manifold, left it on the car as there was just enough room moving the exhaust from left to right. This was on my Mk1 golf.

[james butler]

i was gonna say try changing the track rods 1st as mine were knocking and had play. if there is some play in the rack but it isnt too bad i would stick to just changing the track rods. im in kings norton so if you want a second opinion im happy to take a look for ya.

[sciroccogtx]

Hello,

James Butler- kings norton

Any chance you could have a look at mine, i did take it to a supposed vw specialist but he didnt know anything apart from how to steal money for minimal or no effort... I am in birmingham this week would really appreciate a once over please from someone who knows what their talking about. The guy also put me off buying new springs as he though mk1 golf gti ones would sit too high...