Help!! tried 2 garages and still 1/2 inch of steering wheel play??

[preacher]

Hi, I have a 05 mk5 gti which i took to the Nurburgring Sept 15 without getting my tracking sorted first and am now paying the price. About a month after i noticed i have a small amount off play in the steering wheel. Ive had it looked at and moted this week at vw and also before at another garage who sorted the tracking and replaced 4 subframe bolts that were lose, but both say its all solid upfront.
Ive seen other posts before with the same issue but after hours of reading, im still stuck with the issue. It dosnt feel like its down below, its almost as if the actual wheel is lose on the coloum.. HELP Any ideas please??

[pudding]

Are you saying you can turn the steering wheel 1/2" before the road wheels actually turn, when the car is parked up?  Or when driving in a straight line, it feels like there is 1/2" of play before the car reacts to steering inputs?

First scenario is worn parts.  Outer tie rods, inner tie rods, rack, ball joints, wheel bearings etc. The usual suspects.

Second scenario is either the above, or knackered tyres, or worn bushes, or geometry or a combination of things.

[markrtw]

Loose steering rack?

[preacher]

Are you saying you can turn the steering wheel 1/2" before the road wheels actually turn, when the car is parked up?  Or when driving in a straight line, it feels like there is 1/2" of play before the car reacts to steering inputs?

First scenario is worn parts.  Outer tie rods, inner tie rods, rack, ball joints, wheel bearings etc. The usual suspects.

Second scenario is either the above, or knackered tyres, or worn bushes, or geometry or a combination of things.

When your driving or just have the engine running you can wiggle the steering wheel a little side to side before it does anything Both vw and the other garage say it's solid underneath and nothing to worry about, but it wasn't there before and the car dosn't feel as sharp anymore, especially when you shift the weight from one side to the other and I'm constantly having to correct and not able to to cruise in straight line.

[AlexK1]

I've got similar issue on my mk2 leon, next thing to swap is the lower ball joints as done both inner tie rods and both track rod ends are tight

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[TAPPY]

If it's all tight under the car could it be a worn steering rack

[preacher]

If it's all tight under the car could it be a worn steering rack

It seems like it could be something like this or the universal joint which I will be checking now I've discovered a little inspection cover I hadn't noticed before. It feels so close if you know what I mean and not just when the engine is running as I said before.

[Joshryan]

Anybody resolved this issue?

[preacher]

Anybody resolved this issue?

Late reply but no the problem is still there, the car gives me no confidence like it used to. It feels like it did again before i had it tracked and some bits tightened. Im debating just going for it and buying the tyrol deadset to lock everything down securely as well as 2nd hand rack. 

[Carl123]

I don't know if this could be the same but had play on my steering wheel on my car before I got my golf had tracking etc I replaced wishbones and link arms also replaced the universal joint at the bottom of steering column...not sure if this is the same or helps but made my car feel much better after

[r5gtt]

In stationary rock your steering wheel left to right and if play is evident you're either looking at replacing your inner track rods or your complete rack.

My rack rack inner rods had play so I replaced the complete rack myself.

[preacher]

In stationary rock your steering wheel left to right and if play is evident you're either looking at replacing your inner track rods or your complete rack.

My rack rack inner rods had play so I replaced the complete rack myself.

Yes the play is there all the time engine on or off, im guessing its the full rack as vw and another garage said it was all solid underneath, its also an early 05 plate and  ive read alot they had rack issue's. How hard did you find it, did you have to plug car in to get coded? Think i will have to use next gen and do the loom bit to

[r5gtt]

In stationary rock your steering wheel left to right and if play is evident you're either looking at replacing your inner track rods or your complete rack.

My rack rack inner rods had play so I replaced the complete rack myself.

Yes the play is there all the time engine on or off, im guessing its the full rack as vw and another garage said it was all solid underneath, its also an early 05 plate and  ive read alot they had rack issue's. How hard did you find it, did you have to plug car in to get coded? Think i will have to use next gen and do the loom bit to

been speaking to a mate and he says it must be the same issue as mine inner rod ends but I replaced the complete rack. I still haven't gone to VW to get it coded as it's not causing any issues TBH.

[preacher]

In stationary rock your steering wheel left to right and if play is evident you're either looking at replacing your inner track rods or your complete rack.

My rack rack inner rods had play so I replaced the complete rack myself.

Yes the play is there all the time engine on or off, im guessing its the full rack as vw and another garage said it was all solid underneath, its also an early 05 plate and  ive read alot they had rack issue's. How hard did you find it, did you have to plug car in to get coded? Think i will have to use next gen and do the loom bit to

been speaking to a mate and he says it must be the same issue as mine inner rod ends but I replaced the complete rack. I still haven't gone to VW to get it coded as it's not causing any issues TBH.

Ok cool Thanks for that, going to just do the whole rack and see what happens, cant be any worse tbh lol

[r5gtt]

In stationary rock your steering wheel left to right and if play is evident you're either looking at replacing your inner track rods or your complete rack.

My rack rack inner rods had play so I replaced the complete rack myself.

Yes the play is there all the time engine on or off, im guessing its the full rack as vw and another garage said it was all solid underneath, its also an early 05 plate and  ive read alot they had rack issue's. How hard did you find it, did you have to plug car in to get coded? Think i will have to use next gen and do the loom bit to

been speaking to a mate and he says it must be the same issue as mine inner rod ends but I replaced the complete rack. I still haven't gone to VW to get it coded as it's not causing any issues TBH.

Ok cool Thanks for that, going to just do the whole rack and see what happens, cant be any worse tbh lol

Youll be fine mate, did mine and it sorted the play out straight away but you will need tracking after the replacement as the used one will be out as my left wheel was towing in by far and the right hand side was dead straight. Did it myself and it's bang on but will get it done properly once I've fitted the S3 wishbones, super pro ALK, H&R roll bars and full H&R springs and shock set up.