Steering U joint

[fatty5000]

I'm still looking for info regarding my shakey steering,as this is now being felt more due to the new uprated LCA bushes being fitted. I have had both steering arms off and checked for play and theres nothing showing. So last night I got off a$$ and had a look under the dash. There is a little play in this



So for my next question I was wondering how much play is allowed and can this part be replaced without the need for a whole new colom.

I get a significant noise if I move the steering wheel when the engine is off like a twanging clunk (best description). And a lot of rattlin/vibration over crap surfaces.

I've changed all there is to change bar the shocks and ball joints although these have been checked numerous times.


TIA

I need all the help I can get now as it spoiling my driving pleasure seeing as I'm waiting for the steering wheel to not work one day

[claytarget_god]

from lookin at that mate i think it is all one. but wont there always be a bit of play from those kind of joints?

might be wrong, I have a similar problem with mine, tis not really that bad as yet

good luck with it though.

billy

[Blanchie]

Originally Posted by fatty5000

I'm still looking for info regarding my shakey steering,as this is now being felt more due to the new uprated LCA bushes being fitted. I have had both steering arms off and checked for play and theres nothing showing. So last night I got off a$$ and had a look under the dash. There is a little play in this



So for my next question I was wondering how much play is allowed and can this part be replaced without the need for a whole new colom.

I get a significant noise if I move the steering wheel when the engine is off like a twanging clunk (best description). And a lot of rattlin/vibration over crap surfaces.

I've changed all there is to change bar the shocks and ball joints although these have been checked numerous times.


TIA

I need all the help I can get now as it spoiling my driving pleasure seeing as I'm waiting for the steering wheel to not work one day

That looks like a "U" joint or intermediate shaft, it connects the pinion on the steering rack to the column, normally consists or 2 U/J's with a slider tube between them ( 1 piece), it should be removable on it's own. From my experience (professional) the I shaft can wear so that backlash can be felt through the steering wheel, normally cause by wear in the slider tube portion. Wear on the bearings would give a notcey feeling as as opposed to "sloppyness", Worth a quick check is put 1/4 turn on the lower bolt (pinion) if still not feeling right best bet is probably a new one, just make sure if when you get one it has new fastening bolts and you use the correct torque, these things can and will break with wrong torques/fixings.
Hope that helps.

Blanchie

[fatty5000]

Nice one for the info, I'vejust been looking at ETKA and it appears as though it is all one piece from the column down.



It's annoying as it may even be the rack as the noise is coming from that area ??

I noticed after wiggling it and checking that bolt was tight(you never know) that it felt a bit better don't know why though.

[VRSPhil]

I still say it's your rack. The noise you showed me was identical to the one I had. When skoda inspected my car, they suggested that it was the universal joint at the bottom of the column as they said they could feel play in it.... I wasn't convinced so took it to an independent specialist who was convinced it was the rack (even though there was no obvious play in it). I got the rack changed and it's been fine ever since.

It's the clunking whilst stationary/engine off which is making me say this. I had never heard anything like it before I heard mine... and yours was identical.

My other symptoms were a knocking when turning from right to left (IE exiting a roundabout) and a general loose feeling through the wheel.

[fatty5000]

Originally Posted by VRSPhil

I still say it's your rack. The noise you showed me was identical to the one I had. When skoda inspected my car, they suggested that it was the universal joint at the bottom of the column as they said they could feel play in it.... I wasn't convinced so took it to an independent specialist who was convinced it was the rack (even though there was no obvious play in it). I got the rack changed and it's been fine ever since.

It's the clunking whilst stationary/engine off which is making me say this. I had never heard anything like it before I heard mine... and yours was identical.

My other symptoms were a knocking when turning from right to left (IE exiting a roundabout) and a general loose feeling through the wheel.

Bollox


I could do without it being the rack, it's a pig to change by all accounts, and the boss ain't happy atm.

Maybe I should start looking around scrappys for a deal


Cheers Phil I think I needed your virtual kick up the a$$ as I know deep down it's the rack and i suppose I always have, but alas I'll have to live with it for now

[VRSPhil]

I don't think the rack is that bad to be honest. Think I paid my man £100 to switch them over. For racks, keep an eye on eBay. Also, it's an excuse for a TT quick rack

[mattbeef]

TT quick rack............. come on then for those who dont know

[fatty5000]

Originally Posted by mattbeef

TT quick rack............. come on then for those who dont know

It's the rack of the TT iirc it's 2.5 turns lock to lock as opposed to 3 on the std one.

It's along these lines anyhoo, I'm sure phil will correct me if I'm wrong (again)