Steering rack inner joint

[Jons1001]

Recently visited national tyres as they had an offer on wheel alignment. Imagine my horror when they advised me that the suspension was shot to bits and need new track rod's, wishbones, ball joints you name it to the tune of £900 before they could do an alignment.

Anyway took it to my usual mechanic today for a second opinion and the report back is

'No obvious signs of wear in any of the components other than slight movement in the o/s steering rack inner joint'.

Slight relief but can't say i was massively surprised by these findings!

Anyway was wondering if anyone can tell me the part number or link to the correct part as i'm not really sure what it is or if it has a different name?

The other thing is the rear tyres are wearing on the inside, mechanic says this is common on these cars due to the way they are setup, is this correct or can something be done to sort it? Thanks

[Clarkj93]

Wow bunch of swindlers aye.

For rear tyres they are set up with about -1.5-ish neg camber and some toe -in I believe so this will wear the insides faster. Unless you're doing like 20k plus miles a year I wouldn't worry about a new set of rear tyres every year or 2. They're setup like this for good but safe handling so would leave it alone unless you are upgrading the suspension and want sportier handling.

Not sure on steering rack... mine clicks sometimes on static ground or when the car is jacked up but it still steers left and right damn well so 

[pudding]

Google MK5 Golf GTI tie rod and choose the Lemforder brand, which is the factory stuff.  They don't usually come with outer joints, so aren't handed.  If they do come with outer joints, pick the left or right side accordingly.

If it was me, I would replace both tie rods and both outer joints in one hit.  May as well save on repeat labour and it will feel good and tight again 

Yes as above, the rears do wear down because of the camber, and because they don't steer to even the wear out.  It's a fair chunk of camber for a road car but -1.5 is the limit for acceptable tyre life.  So long as it's just camber wear and not saw toothing (bad toe angles), it's fine.  Although as a final caveat, saw toothing is what's considered 'normal' for MK5 GTIs and non driven wheels in general, so if providing it's not excessive, don't worry about it.  Just change the tyres if the noise is getting on your nerves because it sounds like a bad wheel bearing!

[Jons1001]

Thanks both.

I've now learnt that a steering rack inner joint, tie rod, and track rod are all the same thing! 

Looks like euros sell Lemforder tie rods but not Lemforder tie rod ends. Will have a search to see if i can find the full assembly.

[pudding]

Google the Lemforder part numbers and go with whoever supplies all of it, most likely AutoDoc.

Lemforder tie rod - 25329, qty 2
Lemforder Left tie rod end - 35279, qty 1
Lemforder Right tie rod end - 35280, qty 1
Lemforder Steering gaiter, just in case yours are split - 33739, qty 2

[Jons1001]

Google the Lemforder part numbers and go with whoever supplies all of it, most likely AutoDoc.

Lemforder tie rod - 25329, qty 2
Lemforder Left tie rod end - 35279, qty 1
Lemforder Right tie rod end - 35280, qty 1
Lemforder Steering gaiter, just in case yours are split - 33739, qty 2

Cheers Pudding

[LC5F]

The alignment is costly
Definitely go for both sides at the same time - maybe look at the rear control arm bushes and top mounts at the same time.

[Jons1001]

The alignment is costly
Definitely go for both sides at the same time - maybe look at the rear control arm bushes and top mounts at the same time.

Hi, why would you recommend the rear control arm bushes/top mounts? If you havent noticed already im pretty clueless when it comes to mechanics. Doesn't help that every suspension part seems to have 3 different names!

If anyone can point me in the direction of an idiots guide to understand the suspension on these cars i would be grateful as id like to refresh where possible and save money on labour along the way.

[LC5F]

Sorry - just suggesting to get those items checked - they are the usual wear points - but you have already had a mechanical review...so ignore my suggestion