Steering issue

Hi.

I'm hoping you guys can help.
Recently picked up a 1990 Mk1 GTi cabriolet.

The steering is a bit off. At low speed it's very stiff & heavy, and general cruising speed it's pretty vague with a lot of play in the steering wheel.
Turning to the left is very light, but to the right is very slow and heavy.
The steering wheel also sits at about the 10 o'clock position instead of pointing straight up.

Any ideas? Springs on the front were replaced in the last few months.
Cheers in advance.

Check that the car had a proper front end alignment when the previous owners changed the front suspension. If the camber hasn't been set up properly the car can feel like its skating on "thin ice" when you drive it and the steering wheel won't line up where it should at rest.

With the steering wheel not sitting in its usual position when driving straight ahead indicates that the wheel alignment/camber settings aren't correct.

Believe it or not I've had inexperienced front end places take off the steering wheel and put it back on where it would normally align to cover up the incorrect camber alignment!.  

I've taken my car back with the Haynes manual and asked them to raise it up on the ramp and pointed out the off set washer/bolt on the bottom of the strut towers. The penny usually drops then and everything "magically" aligns.

If that's not the issue check the steering rack rubber boots for holes as dirt and rust can impact on the steering racks performance. The steering will feel heavy and fail to "naturally" return to centre after turning left or right whilst on the move.

If it is the steering rack you'll need to dismantle it and thoroughly clean it better still buy a new one! let us know how you go.

Worse case is bent front wishbones etc from an accident  Check the obvious things first  

Cool, thanks very much. I'll get the alignment sorted and hopefully that'll cure it.
Otherwise I'll be back with more questions! Haha

If the car has had new springs the camber would of been messed with as you have to remove the strut. Not all places will be able to set the camber and there is no point getting the tracking done untill the camber is right as that will throw the tracking out.
Some garages will check it for you and not charge if no adjustment is need. Adjustment for both camber and tracking is approx £60.

Or you can buy a few tools and do it your self, may not be accurate enough for the latest supercar but its good enough for a 30 year old golf. and if you think you know what you are doing can try different setting to improve (or not) things.