Heavy steering - lessons learnt

A bit long, but I thought I would share this with you all……..particularly those of you who think that the Mk1 steering is 'heavy'…
(edited - keyboard can't type today !!)

Sequence of events……….
When we bought the Clipper automatic one shock needed replacing (leaking badly).
New set of tyres fitted all round.
Ever since then the ride was rather 'firm' at the front, as though it was slammed to the ground, and the steering VERY heavy.
Camber and tracking reset, steering still heavy.
Steering rack checked - perfect.
With the car on ramps and then jacked up - all bushes and mounts checked (in situ - no nasty movements - everything nice and tight)
Swapped wheels (Sportlines are ET 33 !!, 'P' slots ET38) NO DIFFERENCE.
Swapped back, noticed one front tyre wearing heavily on the inside !!
Recheck and readjust camber and tracking.
Rear wheels put on front.
Tried different pressures in front tyres - steering STILL a nightmare.
Checked camber and tracking again - had to readjust AGAIN. (Did we hit THAT many potholes - but you try missing them round our way !!!)
The GTI, in this time had done more mileage over the same roads, hardly any wear on tyres, and steering light (for a Mk1).
Considered fitting power steering - COST !!!!!
Getting despondent.
Last MOT due - offside front tyre rapidly worn out on inside, and a strange groaning noise appeared from the front when going very slowly over rough surfaces and stopping on smooth surfaces. Steering is now ULTA heavy, and turning circle greatly reduced !!!!

Had enough now…………… - replace both front shocks, bump stops (one split) and both top mounts (and one front tyre).

Now steers light as a feather, turning circle is back and rides smoother than the GTI !!!!!

One shock was 'seizing', and had totally wrecked the top mount - although stationary the mount seemed ok!!!!????!!!!! When camber (and tracking) were adjusted the first sharp turn of the wheel upset the whole issue again.

Moral of the story……..always replace shocks in pairs and think about new top mounts (cheap), …..and ….. DON'T GIVE UP.
In hindsight I suppose it should have been obvious !!!

Now seriously considering selling the GTI again (using the clutch in traffic is a nightmare sometimes with my back and leg). I've had my GTI Cabby, I've had my fun, and we still have the Clipper which is a real dream to drive now.

Reading that sounds a bit familiar!

The heavy steering on my cab was due to spacers missing inside the top mounts, this meant that the top mount wore a notch in the top of the strut insert! This obviously made the steering heavy. I changed both top mounts, inserts, bump stops and all the washers and spacers.

Last Saturday I changed my steering rack which has also made a HUGE difference to the handling and has made the steering a bit lighter too. I thought the camber was still out of alignment after having it adjusted but changing the rack has stopped it finding pot holes too.

The clutch is really stiff on my cab but fine on my tin top. Its not the cable so I'm thinking its an extra stiff clutch return spring. One of these days I'll get round to having a look!

The heavy steering on my cab was due to spacers missing inside the top mounts

Yep, exactly the same as mine. Spacers a couple of quid from VW!

Peter.

Very heavy steering on my lowered black Campaign.  Changed top mounts and sorted.

Also reverted back to standard suspension all round to stop my teeth shattering

crazyquiff said

Very heavy steering on my lowered black Campaign.  Changed top mounts and sorted.

Also reverted back to standard suspension all round to stop my teeth shattering

You wouldn't think the top mounts would make that much difference! I'm looking to go back to standard suspension later this year. What exactly do I need to buy if not silly question?! ops:  At present I've got bilstein (Spelling) shocks/springs car is approx. 40mm lower than standard.

I had some used springs front and back.  Other new parts I used were rear shocks (Ebay ?21) and top mounts (VAG ?35)

That's it.

I'd make sure you have new rear lower shock bolts as you'll probably shear at leat one on removal.  Oh and might be worth getting some rear spring top cups also as these rust like hell.

Also make sure you have all the correct spacers and stuff when you do the strip down.

The other thing is that the plastic covers are nearly always missing. These stop water and muck getting in and rusting the bearings. I know they are in an out of the way place and protected by the bonnet from rain but when doing 70mph down the Mway spray will get up there. I'm sure if they weren't needed VW would have saved the the 0.00001DM by not using them.

Have to agree - New top mounts makes a HUGE difference.

I'm gonna wait until I can do the whole lot - I want to replace the whole front end mechanically too, rack, wishbones, ball joints etc etc 8O ???