Steering - Wanderer

I just picked up a Mk1 1.6 GTi today, and after 50 miles i heard a twang ?!? All of a sudden steering went really light. It is still like it, but its for the first part only (10% turn left or right) if that makes any sense! It is as if the wheels are off the ground - its that light - but driving up the motorway it was pretty scary cuz the car just drifting left to right as it felt it needed too. This was a prezzie for my missus but i'll flog it if it's gonna be a death trap for her and 'ickle Harv.
Help - + 2 more issues - 1 electrical & 1 poppy out reverse!!

Thx all  8O

Could a cog on the steering rack gear have busted? That might explain why it only happens at a certain point… Does it happen only in a straight line, only when turning to left or right? Have you jacked the front up and wiggled the wheels about to feel for any loose play?

Popping out of reverse is a common issue. Probably just need to adjust the linkage. Have a look at the state of the linkage bushes while you are there & replace if necessary. Cheap and relatively simple to do and will improve the gear change no end…

Twang + change of handling (but still driveable) normally means that you've just broken a rubber bush.

I'm thinking, the steering's gone really light because the breakage has misaligned the steering and put it into zero castor angle. And that after the 10% turn, the loading during turning puts the suspension into a different alignment giving you +ve castor once again.

It could be any of the wishbone bushes or the top mounts. So its worth jacking the wheel up and giving it a good tug. If steering wheel inputs give you wheel turning, then the steering's still okay, although of course track rod ends and UJs in the rack can wear. Its very unlikely to be a steering gear cog, unless it was seriously under-lubricated and abused earlier in its life.

sounds silly I know , but did you check the tyres? if the carcass partially let go , the tyre wouldn't be fully touching the road , in effect making it feel like a bike tyre , lightening the steering and making it wander-y.

Strange, i thought the tyres may be (along with lots of other potentials). Had it up on a ramp at 7am and there's trouble. I am no mechanic, but the big steel arm on n/s that is welded to the chassis has snapped. When you accelerate it pulls one way and let off goes the other! It has been welded previously and will be done properly this time. Anyone else heard of it? Had it? Passed an MOT 3 months ago fine?? Which concerned me!
I will advise as to wether this cures it but it's certainly stage 1.
Thanks for the suggestions.
PS - everything else is all tight and good!!! :wink:

I think this is fairly common, there have been posts about it in the past. Its supposed to be harder to see when the car is jacked up so I guess maybe it can get missed at MOTs :dontknow:

IIRC someone thought it's more likely to happen if the car is lowered.

marketdrayton said

Strange, i thought the tyres may be (along with lots of other potentials). Had it up on a ramp at 7am and there's trouble. I am no mechanic, but the big steel arm on n/s that is welded to the chassis has snapped. When you accelerate it pulls one way and let off goes the other! It has been welded previously and will be done properly this time. Anyone else heard of it? Had it? Passed an MOT 3 months ago fine?? Which concerned me!
I will advise as to wether this cures it but it's certainly stage 1.
Thanks for the suggestions.
PS - everything else is all tight and good!!! :wink:

Which arm is it? Is it the one which supports the wishbone lower mounting points?

I will tak a pic of the repair when done and post it! So you can all see the badboy :evil: