Sticking Steering

[daveo138]

After a couple of years on the dark side - Ford Mondeo - I'm back with another Passat. OK, it's a B7, but it's a bit quiet over there and it's fairly similar to the B6, so I thought I'd post on here.

I've been experiencing a strange problem with the steering. Most noticeable when driving on a motorway or dual carriageway, the steering wheel seems to twitch slightly to one side. It's really quite unnerving and makes it difficult to drive in a straight line.

Initially, I thought it was a problem with the wheel moving on its own, but having driven it and analysed it a bit more, it seems that the steering is actually sticking in one position. As you drive in a (relatively) straight line, you are constantly making minor adjustments to the steering without thinking about it.

What I think is happening is that I'm trying to turn the wheel very slightly and nothing is happening. Then it suddenly releases and the wheel will move, which is what is giving the twitch effect.

What makes it hard to diagnose is that it only happens after I've been driving for the best part of an hour, but it gets worse the further I drive.

I've only had the car since January - it was 9 months old with 15k on it - and I think it has been doing it since then.

I took it back to the main dealer a couple of weeks back and they sent a technician out with me to drive it. I was pleased when he experienced the problem on the test drive. When I went to pick the car up in the afternoon, they told me that they hadn't found anything wrong with it and I was less pleased to hear that it was a different technician that had actually worked on it.

It's now back at the dealer again. They've booked it in for the week and they ring me everyday to tell me that they haven't experienced the problem yet!

The question is, has anyone else experienced this?

Apologies for the length of the post and congratulations if you've made it this far :biglaugh:

[MDA123]

I'd check wheel alignment and tyres for abnormal wear. If it's toeing out slightly it could twitch when trying to steer a straight line on uneven surfaces - feel the inside edge of the tyres for any signs of 'feathering' - maybe your cat 'Cheeky' has sharpened his claws on them!

[daveo138]

I did initially think it felt like the instability you get with toe-out, but if that was the case, it should do it all the time.

The dealer did say that the OSF tyre looked to be wearing a bit unevenly and suggested that I have the alignment done. I enquired about the cost and he said that it takes two hours to set up, so we're looking at £199. I suggested that as I've only had the car for two months and it hasn't been anywhere near a kerb, I didn't think I should be shelling out £200 unless they could they could tell me the alignment had been checked before delivery.

Anyway, they called again with an update yesterday afternoon. Despite still not experiencing the symptoms, and having spoken to VW Technical, they have decided to fit a new rack under warranty. So, I guess they'll be doing the alignment anyway.

Let's hope it cures it!

[RichardSEL]

New rack means they've found existing faulty, so that's a bonus.
Check whether they gonna charge you for the alignment still claiming that's a "wear and tear" item? A Hunter-equipped Laser franchise would only cost £75-ish. And you get a before and after printout.
Move tyres front to back

Let us know how it feels after?

[Quatrelle]

I did initially think it felt like the instability you get with toe-out, but if that was the case, it should do it all the time.
......

Driven front wheels should always toe out - unless you're talking about excessive toe-out. Some cars specify parallel, but never toe in, which is for cars with rwd.

[MDA123]

Driven front wheels should always toe out - unless you're talking about excessive toe-out. Some cars specify parallel, but never toe in, which is for cars with rwd.

I would have thought it best for the front (fwd or rwd) wheels to be either parallel or slightly toe-in which would then allow for centrifugal forces etc. at higher speeds. I agree that toe-out can be more desirable for faster cornering with fwd but I'd still prefer very slight toe-in for general motorway-type driving.

[Quatrelle]

It's because of traction that driven wheels should toe out, any slight built-in play in the drive will mean the wheels will pull themselves straight (that's a rubbish explanation, best if you look it up!).

Non-driven wheels should toe in, and the known problem of sawtooth wear on the rear wheels of Passats is caused by them toeing out, causing uneven wear on the inside of the tread.

[MDA123]

It's because of traction that driven wheels should toe out, any slight built-in play in the drive will mean the wheels will pull themselves straight (that's a rubbish explanation, best if you look it up!).

Non-driven wheels should toe in, and the known problem of sawtooth wear on the rear wheels of Passats is caused by them toeing out, causing uneven wear on the inside of the tread.

As we were discussing straight-line driving surely you agree that toe-out can make the car more difficult to steer straight (it will wander and be more susceptible to uneven surfaces). Toe-in (obviously only slight) will increase stability for both front and rear driven wheels. It really depends whether you want stability or a quick steering response.

[Quatrelle]

If you check VW's spec. for the Passat, you will see that front wheels toe out, and rear wheels toe in. If you get your wheel alignment, front and rear of course, checked with a Hunter laser system as suggested by RichardSEL earlier, ask for the print out afterwards - they should give it to you anyway - and see for yourself.

When the car is moving forward the wheels on each 'axle' then run parallel with each other - there's no toe-in or toe-out, it cancels itself out once the car is moving, otherwise you'd get uneven, saw-tooth tyre wear.

None of what I've said is my opinion, it's what is standard motor industry practice for most cars for everyday driving, which is why I suggested you look it up rather than accept what I'm saying - it'll be better explained.

My rear-wheel-drive MGB's front wheels toe-in 3mm max. That's factory settings. When the car moves forward, even at walking pace, the wheels then adopt parallel alignment. I know this because I've got a tool that shows it to me. Because they are 'inactive' they naturally spread slightly. The same tool works equally well on my Passat, although never as accurately as a laser alignment, obviously.

[vespa]

Interesting info regarding toe in/out but surely fitting a new rack will include checking the tracking this as part of the job? It is a bit like fitting a new set of plugs but not checking the gap if you understand what I mean.

[Quatrelle]

It will definitely have to be checked!

[daveo138]

Update.

I've had the car back for a couple of weeks now. Rack replaced and full Optiflex alignment. Problem solved.

[Sinspeed]

Just out of interest how much did you pay for the replacement rack? We keep them in stock but I've only just seen this thread.