Steering Rack or Tie rod ???

[RedMk2Gti]

I took my Mk1 to suspension shop for a wheel alignment, they checked my car and told me steering rack is worn out and need to be rebuilt, quoted me $850
Many website sources has suggested the steering rack should last forever, the worn out part is most likely the tie rod inner ball join, is there any easy way to confirm ??

[gtimk5]

I am yet to replace a worn out rack, thats in 33 years of working on Mk1 golfs.
Whichever side has the play needs the boot pulled back to check for play inh the tierod. That is more than likely where the problem is. They are around $90 each. Sometimes less.
I think they are out to fleece you.....
Andrew

[Jarred]

as a learning exercise:

what are the symptoms or reason that you took the car to get a wheel alignment in the first place?

are these what you mean as a replacement Andrew?

http://www.germanautoparts.com/Volkswagen/Rabbit/Steering/220/1

[RedMk2Gti]

as a learning exercise:

what are the symptoms or reason that you took the car to get a wheel alignment in the first place?

are these what you mean as a replacement Andrew?

http://www.germanautoparts.com/Volks...Steering/220/1

That's after i put in the HT coilover, the steering wheel is pointing to 10:20am position and pulling to the left when I'm in freeway , good reason enough to have a wheel alignment done ???

[roccodingo]

Have the camber set when you have the toe-in done also. Some alignment places think that you cant adjust camber ( eccentric bolt where the strut bolts to the bearing housing ).

[gtimk5]

Jarred, that is the tierods that I spoke of mate.
I always replace the non adjustable side with an adjustable type as well.
Cheers!

[Jarred]

Jarred, that is the tierods that I spoke of mate.
I always replace the non adjustable side with an adjustable type as well.
Cheers!

Cheers Andrew

That's after i put in the HT coilover, the steering wheel is pointing to 10:20am position and pulling to the left when I'm in freeway , good reason enough to have a wheel alignment done ???

Thats a good enough reason for me I have an odd vibration that I havn't solved yet, wondering if you had something similar perhaps, that's all.

[RedMk2Gti]

Thats a good enough reason for me I have an odd vibration that I havn't solved yet, wondering if you had something similar perhaps, that's all.

Vibration most likely is wheel balancing issue, $5 per wheel is what most tyre shop charge.

[Jarred]

Vibration most likely is wheel balancing issue, $5 per wheel is what most tyre shop charge.

no it's not. had that done. had an alignment done. wheels bearings too. engine mount as well. Don't worry, even my mechanic is a little bit stumped atm.

[RedMk2Gti]

Whichever side has the play needs the boot pulled back to check for play inh the tierod.
Andrew

I pulled one boot back, now how to check for play without remove the whole rod ?

[gtimk5]

Where the large ballsocket is screwed onto the rack rod, if there is wear there you will see it by slightly moving the wheel sideways.
Andrew