GT TDI 150 Tracking/Steering Issues

[Saucy]

Hi Guys,

My Golf is pulling to the left but the garage says its not the tracking but agrees its pulling to the left (wants me to go back and see the master mechanic on Monday).

When driving it feels like the usual tracking problem but when I let go of the steering wheel on a "flat" road the steering wheel is turning slightly to the left then jerking a little bit more to the left (like when you get a flat tyre) and when I sit with the steering wheel dead straight it feels like its steering to the right (that could just be me though).

Could this be the steering rack (hope not).

Any help or anyone with a similar problem.

Many thanks in advance.:1zhelp:

[con1981]

I would have said the same as yourself -tracking. silly question both tyres have same amount of pressure in them?

You haven't bounced passenger side against a curb, gone down a pot hole?

is there any vibration? possible suspension damage?

Don't forget though roads are cambered to allow water to drain off them but movement must be pretty substantial for the garage to say so.:confused:

[Saucy]

Sorry bud should have mentioned it, the tyre pressure is fine all round, that was the first thing I did just incase.

I've only had the car a few weeks and as of yet haven't hit any potholes or kerbs that have made me shout "oh s**t" so I dont think its been that.

I would say there is slight vibration in the steering wheel but nothing much as I can happily sit on the motorway @ 80/90 without it vibrating excessivly.

I know what you mean about the road camber but I do 80+ miles a day to work on various road types and I checked it on all to try and get a clear picture to the extent of the pulling without camber being a factor.

Also something someone might have heard before but another customer @ the garage said he had a Saab that was pulling to the left and it wasn't tracking but Saab said it was the fact he wasn't using unidirectional tyres and once he changed them he said it sorted his problem. (something to do with european cars being genericly designed for L/H drive)

[con1981]

When are you getting vibration through steering wheel? acceleration, braking, all the time?

[Saucy]

Alright Con,

I've just been for a wee birl in the car too see about this vibration in the steering wheel, I don't get any accelerating or braking it only seems to be when I'm doing about 80 I notice anything but I suspect its just road surfaces and my perception of it as I dont get it all the time.

I don't think its at fault for the pulling or even a mitigating factor because I'm sure I would notice it more profoundly than I am.

Cheers for your help on this by the way.

[con1981]

My thought was that if it was noticable at speed-suspension problem but that would have shown up at about 40-50mph. just a though are your wheels balanced? Is there aweight missing off one of them?

I've quickly googled "pulling to the left" and this does appear to be a reacuring problem with VW's according to other posts. I think from what i've quickly read it may be a design thing as you said about driving on the wrong side of the road in europe.

I haven't had my Bora very long either and i know it's had the tracking done cos the wheel doesn't sit central but I'm not certian if mine pulls to the left. I'll have to check this, if it does it's ever so slight.

happy to help your distracting me from my uni work. I'd much rather be talking cars than doing that!

[con1981]

By the way what's the top speed on the 150 and have you had it at that? Mines a 115 and does only 120, just curious as i'm looking at getting mine remapped and am told it will be similar power to 150

[Saucy]

Don't think there's any weights missing cos I'd get more of a shudder if it was that, one thing my mate just mentioned to me is the fact that cos it sat at the garage a while it could be a mis-shaped brake disc but I'm sure the service or MOT would have picked that up and another one was a wheel bearing but I'm sure I'd hear a noise from that.

It's looking more and more like it could be some kind of design fault in R/H drives.

I'm gonna get to the bottom of this how !!

[con1981]

if it was a disc you would feel the judder when you were braking. Bearing possible I suppose, you would have to jack each corner up to see if there was any play. Once again though the car would pull hard to one side when you were braking at 60-70+ mph which isn't what you've described

[robert310383]

By the way what's the top speed on the 150 and have you had it at that? Mines a 115 and does only 120, just curious as i'm looking at getting mine remapped and am told it will be similar power to 150
Ihave a 150 golf and it seems slow at the top end , had 125 out of it on an A-road. only had it a couple of weeks though and it needs a cambelt change so dont want to hammer it too much. had a 325 before so maybe its just in comparison to that 145. What should i get from this?

[con1981]

I would have thought more than 125 but that's naughty naughty travelling at that speed instant ban if your caught!

Do you have any problems with car wandering?

[robert310383]

I would have thought more than 125 but that's naughty naughty travelling at that speed instant ban if your caught!

Do you have any problems with car wandering?

to the left again no other problems occur from it though. they are suppose to pull to the left a little but mine does seem excessive.

[con1981]

Guess it's just a design issue then, you tried any of the above as possible faults? any other suggestions as to why?

[robert310383]

Guess it's just a design issue then, you tried any of the above as possible faults? any other suggestions as to why?

no but untill it causes a problem ill ignore it.

[Saucy]

Sorry about not replyin sooner been washing the beast,

The book speed for the top end is 136mph if I mind right.

I've only had mine about a ton but it got there no bother, had a run in with the law doin 90 a wee while ago and got let off with a spankin so I'm still feelin the fear too much to take it past that.

but the top end don't matter when you come out a corner doin 80 and sink the boot and it hits a ton like s**t off a shovel, thats more fun and licence friendly.

Looks like a design issue then but I'll see what the mechanic says on Monday.

There's some pics of mine here if ye want a gander

http://www.bebo.com/PhotoAlbum.jsp?MemberId=1579259671&PhotoNbr=1&PhotoAlbumId=7467467588

[con1981]

likes the leather there's people on here who would kill for that

[robert310383]

Sorry about not replyin sooner been washing the beast,

The book speed for the top end is 136mph if I mind right.

I've only had mine about a ton but it got there no bother, had a run in with the law doin 90 a wee while ago and got let off with a spankin so I'm still feelin the fear too much to take it past that.

but the top end don't matter when you come out a corner doin 80 and sink the boot and it hits a ton like s**t off a shovel, thats more fun and licence friendly.

Looks like a design issue then but I'll see what the mechanic says on Monday.

There's some pics of mine here if ye want a gander

http://www.bebo.com/PhotoAlbum.jsp?MemberId=1579259671&PhotoNbr=1&PhotoAlbumId=7467467588
yeah it hits 100 fine its above and beyond it starts to get upset. 4th gear seems to be my best gear. might have it chipped.;)

[con1981]

Odd my 115 pd hit 110 without any bother. Maybe you need more rpm, bit heavier on gas pedal to get it to go?

[Crasher]

The Golf 4 platform is notorious for a slight left pull. The only cure I have found is to order tyres with the run out bands marked and these can then be fitted to the right hand side of the front wheels to help correct the inherent pull. This off course requires the cooperation of your tyre supplier and is made more complicated on directional tyres.

[MWC1983]

The 'pull to the left' thing affects me too. I've had a TDI 130 for about 6 months and it's never been quite right.

I've had the tracking done 3 times since I've had it, and each time it was about 2mm out... Kwikfit can't really help any more - they say the rest of the problem could be down to the 18" alloys, low profile tyres and dodgy road surfaces.

One thing that I do find particularly strange, is the position of the steering wheel. The steering wheel could have been turned quite a long way, to only have a minimal effect on the postion of the wheels - any one else notice this, or have I just talked myself back into having a strange car?!

[sun ra]

Sorry to bump an old thread, but has anyone ever found a solution to this problem (does the uni directional (?) tire thing work ???)

My mk iv 130 pd has been doing the same thing sine I bought it 6 months ago.

Had a tracked three times. Still no dice.

The front tyres are wearing quickly and I am wondering if the steering issue is a contributing factor.

[TDiBoraSam]

I've been going on about a very similar problem in the Bora section. I'm having my tracking reset every couple of weeks coz it's always out, and nobody seems to be able to offer a solution.

This is something that the car has started doing in the last 10 months or so, it always ran perfectly until then. I've had all the bushes changed, trackrods, balljoints, drop links etc etc, and still no joy.

The only obvious thing is a deep creaking/rumbling when doing low speed manoeuvres and turning left at junctions etc.

If anyone comes up with a solution I'd be very glad to hear it!:Blush:

[sun ra]

Just one thing, the mechanic that set the tracking last time asked:

"do the VW's have curved track rods?" as my Golf has.

Said he'd only seen it on Renault's (or Citroens - SP) (I think thats what he said anyway). Not sure if he was clutching at straws (FYI he checked for play in the bearings, worn bushings, warped/twisted wishbone, etc) but was just thinking what else it might be.

This is a real pain when driving on motorways (ie: every day on way to work) as feel am fighting with the steering wheel.

[Saucy]

alright guys,

I've still never got it sorted out, everytime I go to the garage my trackings bang on, but I did service it the other week with a mechanic mate and he agreed that somethings up, but we checked everything we could think of to no avail and the tyres dont have any uneven wear on them and I've done around 15k miles since April on the same tyres, so I'm totally stumped but I'll keep trying and let youse know if I find a solution.:aargh4:

[richiemorg]

I had the same problem on a van few years ago, always pulled to left, more noticeable at 80mph. Kept on having tracking checked, but was always ok(ish). Mech friend of mine suggested swapping front wheels around. Worked a treat! Didnt pull left anymore. Said it was probably tyres or buckled wheel. Worth a shot?

[chrisrjwood]

Hi Guys,

My Golf is pulling to the left but the garage says its not the tracking but agrees its pulling to the left (wants me to go back and see the master mechanic on Monday).

When driving it feels like the usual tracking problem but when I let go of the steering wheel on a "flat" road the steering wheel is turning slightly to the left then jerking a little bit more to the left (like when you get a flat tyre) and when I sit with the steering wheel dead straight it feels like its steering to the right (that could just be me though).

Could this be the steering rack (hope not).

Any help or anyone with a similar problem.

Many thanks in advance.:1zhelp:



Hi Saucy,

The four wheel tracking is out and the subframes need re-setting. Often happens when a new clutch or a suspension/steering component is fitted as the suspension never lines up properly again.

Go to a decent suspension specialist, not your local garage/tyre service.

CJW

[HGTTDI]

Hi - my mk4 gt tdi has recently developed this problem. If i let go of the steering wheel when pulling away the steering wheel turns to the left.

Also the steering wheel seems to travel quite a way when turning with little amount of steer.

But like I say its only recently developed this problem. I have also changed roll bar links shocks, springs, top mounts, new tyres and had tracking done.

Any help much appreciated.

[Crasher]

Inner track rod joints.

[HGTTDI]

Thanks Crasher - not changed them - but will do. I'll let everyone know if it works.

[130TDI]

:zx11:Hi all , just wanted to let you know my golf tdi 130 also pulls to the left, i initially thought tracking and went to kwik fit and had it done. they told me that the tracking was out so they adjusted it and told me it was fine and they had sorted it.
after driving out of kwik fit i let go of the steering and again still pulled to the left quite noticeable and more than any other car i have owned, anyway i gave it a week and took it back told them still pulling to the left, they again adjusted it and sent me on my way-its still no better, i have just had 4 new 18 inch wheels with brand new kumho tyres all balanced put on and the car runs excellent with no juddering or play on the steering at any speed, so am just thinking about putting up with the pulling to the left problem.if anybody has any other ideas or solutions to this problem please let me know thanks

[TDiBoraSam]

This sounds very much like the problem I had on my Bora.....fighting with the steering, wandering and excessive steering input to get the road wheels to turn only a bit. I was at the end of my tether with the car because no matter where I took it, they could never find anything wrong and I was just aimlessly replacing parts in hope.

The problem was cured by getting Crasher to replace the inner trackrod ends. This was done in March, and it's been fine ever since. Steering is now tight and crisp...no drift, no pull and I don't have to fight with it. Since then I have also replaced the shocks and springs with Bilstein B4's, and I have to say the handling and ride is now excellent.

Toe is set to 0, camber is set to -30 minutes.

Before visiting Crasher I had already replaced (without any joy);

Wishbone bushes, Drop links, ARB bushes, rear axle bushes, steering rack, top mounts and bearings, tyres.

[130TDI]

thanks for the reply, i will take it to my garage and ask them to change the inner track rod ends, i hope it isnt too expensive but if it sorts the problem out i will be well pleased,no matter of cost.
bearing in mind i have only just joined this forum can you please tell me what or who crasher is, many thanks for your help it is appreciated:beerchug:

[pon]

bearing in mind i have only just joined this forum can you please tell me what or who crasher is

Crasher is this forums Deity
All hail Crasher:biglaugh:

I think he was born in a VW.

[Crasher]

:biglaugh:

[TDiBoraSam]

If I hadn't taken my car to Crasher's place, I'd have let it roll off a cliff! That horrible steering problem was driving me loopy, and the problem is actually very difficult to explain to somebody...it's just something you can feel isn't right.

It is worth noting that I was v.happy with the car after Crasher worked on it, but since I changed the springs last week, the handling and steering stability has become better than it ever was....no hint of wobbling at any speed and no wandering/pulling on ruts or uneven surfaces.

Tyre pressures of 30.5psi front and 29psi rear also seem to work very well.

[130TDI]

:biglaugh:
hi crasher pleased to meet you:biglaugh:,sorry i didnt know who you was:Blush2:, may i just ask what would a reasonable price be for inner track rod ends to fitted to my golf, just would like to know so i dont get ripped off at the garage, thanks
one more issue i have is when im turning a corner i can here like a whineing when the steering is about three quarters on both ways, my initial thought was wheel bearing but it isnt that , its just an annoying whine that isnt too loud but is still a concern im no whizz at all and have very little knowledge on cars but i know it isnt wheel bearing and know its not the power steering noise that you get on full lock any help would be appreciated, my garage mentioned gearbox??? hope not. thanks again

[130TDI]

Thanks again and thanks for lettin me know who crasher is. hopefully getting it sorted this weekend

[Crasher]

That is very difficult to say, it varies hugely depending on the make of part, whether they bother to reset the tracking or just count threads or even if they have to drop the subframe because they can’t undo the inner joint.

[130TDI]

ok thanks, do you have any idea what the whineing noise could be . thanks

[Crasher]

Check the PS fluid level.

[tornadored7]

Crasher,

On a similar note of tracking issues, I am currently replacing;



front shocks (possibly also the springs)
front strut top mounts and bearings
wishbone rear bushes
front wheel bearings

While attempting to renew the offside (RHS) wheel bearing, the offside track rod end was hesitant to come out of the wheel bearing housing and so had to be cut off, due to the nut getting stuck and the allen key base being rounded out of shape.

I am planning to tackle the nearside (LHS) wheel bearing, but am now concerned about siezed track rod end nuts.

In this post;

Re: Adjusting camber and tracking on Mk3 golf (http://www.vwaudiforum.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?p=332631)

you mentioned that "The length of the left hand track rod is set with the track rod removed from the car and MUST NOT be altered in any circumstances".

In the event of another siezed track rod end nut on the nearside, would this prevent the old nearside track rod end from being cut off/removed and replaced ?

I appreciate that upon completion an alignment (tracking and camber) is required, but am now concerned about how the nearside track rod end will be aligned.

One final question please; With the wheel bearing housing removed, would it be a good idea to replace the balljoints considering the car is around 7 years old and on (presumably) original balljoints ?

Regards,
TR7

[Crasher]

Bump this later.

Steve

[tornadored7]

Good evening Steve,

If it's not too late (?) ... bump !

TR7

[Crasher]

The track rod end nuts on Golf 4’s often seize and I use heat to free them off, I once had one in with a rattle after a track rod and we found the location in the hub was wrecked due to someone trying to rattle the nut off with an air gun, the iron appears to be quite soft compared to earlier cars.

If you had to cut off the other track rod it would be best to fit a complete new assembly set up to the correct length but that means removing the rod from the rack which can be awkward without a especial crowsfoot type spanner but as Golf 4 inner track rods are so prone to play, I would suggest a new pair of Febi track rods anyway.

The nearside track rod is set up using a very long set of verniers or a good steel rule/tape measure, not black arts required.

[130TDI]

hi , took the golf to the garage sat, they tracked the car 5 times and still pulls to the left. they said the only way to make it stop pulling was to make the tracking about 3mm out which would cause problems with tyre wear, they say it could be caused by the car having a knock at some point in its life, im not so sure about that as it all looks good that i can see.i mentioned inner track rod arm but they dismissed that
my question to you in your experience do you think its the inner track rod arm still and if so could it make the tracking 3mm out.and if it is would less experienced people automatically asume its had a knock, im trying to get to the bottom of this problem without spending to much money. thanks:1zhelp:

[Crasher]

The inner track rod joints wear and can cause excessive pulling, Golf’s always pull to the left to a certain degree, it is impossible to make them perfect but I can’t judge the degree of pull as I can’t drive it. I use a piece of road I know is flat and I can judge them to be OK or excessive by the distance travelled from being on the white line with the right wheel to drifting over to the curb and if I can go about 100 meters hands off like this I judge that to be acceptable.

[130TDI]

Thanks crasher
Gonna give the 100 metre test on the flattest road i can find, will let you know the outcome, many thanks for your reply.:beerchug: