Help solve my steering problem

[shurms]

Hi All,

This is my first post on this forum - I am a regular of another Aussie VW website - Kombi Club...

I am having trouble diagnosing a fault on my VW '97 Golf Mk3 (GL) - a problem that I have previously had with a Golf Mk3 GTi and a polo in the UK.

Basically the problem is that in the wet, the steering sticks badly when cornering (moderate or sharp bends). As I say, the problem is only when it is raining hard or there is loads of water on the road.
I try to turn the steering wheel and it moves but moves in jerks - not smoothly. This is potentially very dangerous.
I have seen numerous mechanics in Oz and the UK and they have tried various things such as changing the steering belt but the problem remains.

No other VW owners that I have spoken to have had this problem - but I have on 3 cars
Any help appreciated....

Cheers
Dave

[Pullstarter]

Steering rack filling up with water maybe or possibly buggered strut bearings? Couple of things to check I guess, may be way off the mark though.

[peedman]

Funny u mention that i got the same problem on my diesel but not on any of my other mk3's ive had. Its to do with the moisture causing the belt to slip. I was gonna try changing the belt and tightening it a bit more but im yet to do it. Worse case i do have a spare power steering pump as well.

Perhaps ur belt is just a bit loose?

[shurms]

Thanks guys - the mechanic has tried tightening the belt and it seems to make things ok for a while and then it goes back to how it was....will have a look at the other things too but it feels like it's the steering belt slipping.
I don't mind it too much but my girlfriend (who drives the car the most) is a P plater and it worries me that it's going to cause an accident turning across traffic or something

[peedman]

Tightening the belt isnt hard, ive posted pics up here of it:

http://www.vwwatercooled.org.au/newforum/upload/showthread.php?t=8603

So with that u should beable to change the belt and tighten itself and note its position to see if it slips again.

[gldgti]

defo the belt. mine does it too (same as peedmans diesel aaz)....

new belt and tension it properly will fix you're problem.

keep in mind that you need to loosen 3 bolts to allow the power steer pump to rotate properly - the tensioner lock bolt, the pump lock bolt, and the pivot bolt.

[Mrk_Mickey]

defo the belt. mine does it too (same as peedmans diesel aaz)....

new belt and tension it properly will fix you're problem.

keep in mind that you need to loosen 3 bolts to allow the power steer pump to rotate properly - the tensioner lock bolt, the pump lock bolt, and the pivot bolt.

^^^^ I've seen his work, he's the diesel master. No need for any other advice now!!

[Golf Loon]

There should be a lower cover to protect the belt from waterspray. Is it there??

[moto]

Ditto Golf Loon

Water spraying up onto the power steering belt will cause it to slip. Then the heat from slipping will dry it out & then more spray will cause it to slip again. You'll get that as power steering off, on, off = jerky feel.

If you can see the belt from under the car then the shield Golf Loon is talking about is missing.