How do I know when my steering racks on it's way out?

[Black9]

As far as I know this can be a common fault on MK5 GTI's. How do I know when it's happening before it happens and is there anyway I can stop it from happening. Also what sort of price would I be looking at to have it replaced?

[bacillus]

What year is your car? Some pre 06 models suffered with noisey racks that were replaced under warranty.

[Coe]

My car is an 05. Whilst I was at my VW garage I asked what the history was of the car and was told it had had two steering racks fitted to it under warranty. This was done prior to me owning it. The steering is certainly fine now. It only has 26.5k on the clock.

[Black9]

My cars a 2004/54 plate. 80K, full VAG history. Was in being serviced recently and when they done a health check it never came back with anything.

[gigolo456]

Mine is an 05 plate, i didn't notice anything untoward at all, then suddenly as if by magic, my steering wheel amber light came on (whilst with VW i hasten to add!!). They plugged into VAGCOM and managed to do something which did actually turn the warning light off, but with a note that if it did come on again i would need to replace the steering rack! Lo and behold it did and after MANY MANY periods of negotiations with VW, i managed to get the price down to c.£860.00, but still a hell of a lot to me!! Now, even when the warning light did was on, i didn't notice any change in the steering at all; i even read somewhere that somebody was driving around with this warning light on for well over a year with no problem whatsoever!! As my car was reguarly checked, serviced, etc, i really think that my car should have been recalled so i could have it replaced under warranty, heh ho!!

Hope this helps

Andrew

[Black9]

£860, not a nice surprise. Hope mines holds out then, fingers crossed