Knock through steering wheel ? Anyone

[Y83OLK]

Anyone else have a knock through their steering wheel?
I know theres quite a few threads about this, but has anyone ever resolved the issue?.

When stationary (engine off) if i move the steering wheel 1" either direction a get a knock.
Checked everything possible today. topmounts, arb's, droplinks, wishbones, balljoints.

However if i grab the lower UJ on the steering column whilst someone wiggles the wheel, the knock stops?.
Tps quoted £295 for a new column, so im thinking of changing the rack ends first @ £30ish each.
Or possibly the rack bushes.


Any suggestions appreciated.
callum

 

[bengal]

I had a knock through the wheel on my A3, it was one of the tie rods, check for play in both front wheels as if it is this on yours then there will be movement, mine was also following the ruts in the road when it was worn. Their easy to replace but I can't for the life of me remember what size the nut is on the rack, it's a 32mm or similar and inside the rack boot. Also if you need to get them, get the track rod ends too as they will more than likely be seized if they haven't been disturbed for a while and don't forget tracking after the job is done.

 

[JD09]

I have the same buddy. Booked in with Awesome GTI next week to sort the rack ends. I've chased it down to the last thing it can be, having done all bushes, top mounts, shocks and springs...!

 

[Y83OLK]

Have you tried grabbing the steering column UJ whist someone wiggles the steering JD?

 

[JD09]

I've not fella... but I'm not particularly mechanically minded so I am also not sure what you've just suggested haha!

 

[beachbuggy]

almost certainly a tierod.

 

[s3dave]

I have the same buddy. Booked in with Awesome GTI next week to sort the rack ends. I've chased it down to the last thing it can be, having done all bushes, top mounts, shocks and springs...!

Same here as you know, interesting to see what they find......

 

[JD09]

Same here as you know, interesting to see what they find......

Will report back Dave. Have your fingers crossed for Wednesday buddy!!

 

[JD09]

Just to update this since this is the one I posted in the most, I still haven't found the issue but have decided to keep the car.

It is going in for a steering rack mount bush in two weeks. After that I will be looking at ARBs, then possibly the knuckle.

I WILL FIND THIS FAULT IF IT BANKRUPTS ME!

On a more positive note, I'm also having the car remapped (finally) and next month going to pop to Bill's for a B5 TIP and Jetek!

 

[Y83OLK]

JD!. just seen you reply to this and got all excited, hoping you had found the cause.
I still recon its the steering column itself.. I priced it up and it was crazy money.

 

[JD09]

Another thread suggested Te knuckle as well. Going to price one of these up if the steering rack bush doesn't solve it.

 

[Y83OLK]

I have read theres adjustment on the rack pinion... However im too scared to try it :s

 

[JD09]

Interesting development after popping to a local garage;

Pushing my steering rake adjustment all the way into the dash has significantly reduced the knock...

 

[Y83OLK]

I think i can fix our problems!!!!..

Have a read of this.. sound familiar??.

VWVortex.com - Anybody have a loose steering column?

((Also maybe Welly's problem too))

 

[s3dave]

Interesting, do a write up with pics......

 

[Y83OLK]

ill try.. It maybe a doodle in MS paint though, as theres no way im getting oily fingerprints on my phone.

 

[Y83OLK]

Ok, Do not do this MOD.
Its a bit easier on the a3/s3.. you dont have to take the lower dash off.
Just the top of the steering cowel. (1x 6mm allen key, 2small phillips screws)

Then bash the retaining lug in a bit further.. My knock has gone
BUT..
.. The steering is ****** tight now, and doesnt self centre coming off a corner - hopefully it will "wear in" a bit but i'll report back.

 

[s3dave]

Thats a bit dangerous not self centering, and hard to grasp il bet....

 

[Y83OLK]

I say not self centering.. It does - just not as easily as before.
Before i could let go of the wheel (if i chose to) coming out of a junction and it would pull me straight. Now, it pulls me 3/4 the way to straight, and needs an extra nudge.

Having never drove a 0mile 8L, this may have been how it left the factory... Its just new and weird to me at the minute. lol

 

[s3dave]

I once tightened a steering box on a rangerover and add the same effect, i always let go of the wheel (or let it slip through my hands)around corners
and nearly wrote the bleeder off...
so is it the bearing thats working loose then?

 

[Y83OLK]

It seems so Dave, im guessing the only way to cure the issue completely is a new steering column (around £700)
But im growing to like the tight steering, its starting to free off a bit now and comparable to driving a non pas car - a bit more driver feel, as the s3's always felt a bit sloppy to me.

 

[Y83OLK]

..I should have really took photos, but ill describe the issue as best as i can.
The column seems to be a shaft, held inside a tube by bearings/ bushings. These are then crimped/notched to the outer tube.
..If you take off the upper part of the steering cowel, then pull the steering rake as far out as possible, you can see a rectangular notch in the outer tube.
I tapped this in using a (3/4drive 6mm allen(the same one used to remove the coweling)) as theres not enough space to fit a parallel punch in there.

 

[s3dave]

Any updates on this, as the steering slackened off?

 

[Y83OLK]

It seems to have a bit, Either that or my arms have 'beefed up'