[Mokeylock]

Hi guys,

I just got my wheels alligned after fitting bushes and spacers but i've noticed something funny. When i take a sharp left the car goes like a dream but when i try to take a sharp right it's not such good news, the stearing seems to be less responsive and it seems as if i need to turn the wheel way more just to get the car to go where i want it.

Another thing i've noticed is after long drives (well after 20 min of driving) there's this clicking metal noise that comes from the right wheel. I've been told it might be something to do with the steering rack but i dont know much about that part of the car.

Any idea what the problem i'm experiancing is?

thanx

 

[Foxy]

Could be one of many things.........you say the fault has just occurred?

Have you looked at your brakes - are they in good nick? any signs of binding?

What about tyre pressures - an obvious one , easily overlooked.

 

[Mokeylock]

Hi Foxy

sorry about the late reply but I wasn't in the country for a lil while.

I've checked the tyre pressure and it's ok, my breaks need changing soon but VW checked it out and said they were ok.

I help but think it's something to do with the steering. Once the car's warmed up, and turn I make at slow speed makes a metal to metal clonking noise (if that makes sense). It happens more when i'm turning right more than left.

Any ideas?

 

[A7_UFO]

Sounds like a wheel bearing to me.  Makes sense that it happens when you turn one way and not the other as you put the wheel under more weight.

 

[Richard W]

I would suspect that they may have aligned the steering with the rack off centre, that may mean that when to turn one way it's fine, but the other way your hitting the locks stops sooner hence the clonking noise.
I could be wildly wrong and it's a bush that's not postioned correctly?

 

[Mokeylock]

It could be either of what you guys said... I've booked the car into VW for the second time to try and get them to find the problem... I'll mention both areas you guys mentioned to see if it'll help them.

 

[nudda]

Probably something youve tried (?) but I had this problem and had it
aligned and everything but it automatically fixed itself after I
painted my calipers .... what happened what that I tightened the wheel
nuts as hard as I could to make sure the wheel was flush fit and the
sound never came again [:d] Give that a go if you havent already - what
have you got to lose []

 

[Mokeylock]

I'll give it a shot, like u said I have nothing to lose... especially since VW just cancelled my booking till next Tuesday (unprofessional a$$e?).

The reason I keep thinking it'll be something to do with the steering is because this is how i found out about the problem.

1. noticed the plastic sleeve on the steering rod (or maybe it's called control arm) was loose, didn't think much of it but was told that if dirt gets into the join the sleeve was covering I may have such problems as i'm experiencing now.

2. I didn't do anything about the sleeve at the time but when i took my car to get some bushes fit, the mechanic noticed oil leak from where the steering rod is, he told me to get VW to check it out but they seem to think nothing is wrong... my impression is they just didn't look hard enough.

 

[Mokeylock]

Here's a pic of that leak the mechanic discovered

http://www.members.aol.com/mo7ameds/web_images/leak.jpg

 

[Mokeylock]

I found the problem...<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-comfficeffice" /><o></o>

to cut a long story short i took the car to VW, they were convinced it's something to do with the bearing and wouldn't touch it cause they said the warrantee wont cover it (cause of the konis). So took the car to AMD, at first they couldn't find the problem but after a while they noticed the sleeve cracked (which i just paid VW to fix grrr...) and apparently they stuck a camera in and noticed rush... so apparently the sleeve cracked, water got in and rusted the steering rack which now needs changing.<o></o>

I decided instead of forking out 300-400 for a new steering rack it'll be worth trying to get it on the warrantee (that's for monday's to-do list). By the way, anyone know if there are aftermarket 4Motion steering racks??<o></o>

 

[Mokeylock]

Still got the same problem...<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-comfficeffice" /><o></o>

VW just fit a brand new steering rack on the warrantee thank god, the handling is beautiful, the steering rack definitely needed changing but, and it's a big BUT, the weird clicking noise is still there.... i'm losing it here...<o></o>

Any other ideas guys? i'm gonna try to take a video clip of it cause I think that'll help with the descriptive work but for now i'm gonna stick with: it sounds like a notchy springy noise that is directly related to the movement of the front right wheel but only at low speeds...<o></o>

the search continues... :-(

I think i'll contact AMD again since they were right about the steering rack and VW hadn't an idea. I hope i'll find the problem going through a process of elimination of any and all the problems I may have.<o></o>

 

[Mokeylock]

if anyone's interested I just found a good link to a DIY guid on changing the bearings

http://forums.audiworld.com/tt/msgs/1319039.phtml

 

[andymac]

Is the clicking noise when you go round corners? if so iI am 90% sure it is a cv joint

 

[Diesel]

Im not really that experienced, but is there a thin metal plate/cover near to the brake disc which could have been bent/moved and be catching on the disc or wheel as it turns?

 

[Mokeylock]

thanx for the info, i'll take a look at it

 

[Mokeylock]

I haven't had a chance to do any of the things I said i'll do i.e. taking a video of the problem and contacting AMD again but I thought i'll update the symptoms of the problem i'm having in case someone reads it and thinks "ah ha, I know what it is".<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-comfficeffice" /><o></o>

Basically from the second I switch on my car I'm expecting a metal to metal knock as the engine jerks the car a bit while coming alive, this happens on most days. This noise always comes from the front right wheel. After the car warms up, i'll engage 1st gear and start to drive off SLOWLY but I hear another noise, this time it's not very different to the first noise I heard but there are around 6 knocks, all pretty consistent with my driving speed...<o></o>

As I pick up speed, the noise seems to disappear. At some point I have to stop at a traffic light and when I take off again, I just about hear the noise again but can't really make it out over the exhaust and traffic noise. What I do notice is that when I take right turns, the car feels like it's over steering waaaaaay too quickly. I mean with 4 wheel drive and konis u'd expect it to grip but the slightest increase in power on a bend gets the ESP going mad forcing me to slow down (as the car wont hold the inside of the turn and tend to veer outwards - from the front).<o></o>

The more I think about it, the more I feel it's the CV joint. What's the best way to test out if it is?

 

[Vaudaz]

Not sure how to test for it, but I had a similar thign happen on an old escort(i know they're crap and different but similar symptoms) Mine was over steering to the left and heard loud knocking which ever way I turned. The garage sorted mine out for around ?200 total.But that was a Ford so parts are awful anyway!

 

[akz786]

how about checking the engine mounts?

 

[Mokeylock]

how about checking the engine mounts?

I haven't thought of that but if it was, why are all my problems only happening when I turn right and not left?

 

[Mokeylock]

*Update*

Went to a garage I know in Bham, the guy's helped me out on more than one occasion. He told me to get some aftermarket bushes and to replace the front right wishbone.

The reason for replacing the wishbone is because I remembered I hit the front right wheel against a pavement ages ago and the mechanic thought it'll be a good idea replacing it (apparently they aren't that expensive). I'm gonna give it a shot, replace wishbone and upgrade bearings.. fingers crossed.