MK5 Golf GTI

All Things Mk5 => How to Guides / Troubleshooting => Topic started by: Rangenuse on October 25, 2014, 12:28:13 am

Title: Heavy steering after minor incident...
Post by: Rangenuse on October 25, 2014, 12:28:13 am
Okay so about 5 days ago I had a minor incident which unavoidably involved my gti passing over a dead monkjack/ baby deer, making a horrific noise under the car and hitting a few of the parts underneath and making a fair bit of mess too. Car was taken to garage and everything looked okay underneath but you could see where the animal had impacted on a few places. So throughout the week I thought it was my imagination but the steering has definately become heavier. Now is there anything that could have been knocked underneath, that could be causing this heavy steering. Thanks.
Title: Re: Heavy steering after minor incident...
Post by: Degudodger on October 25, 2014, 09:16:04 am
Any lights on the dash or unusual sounds?
Title: Re: Heavy steering after minor incident...
Post by: KieranED30 on October 25, 2014, 09:25:48 am
Have you checked your power steering fluid level? If the deer has had such a big impact could have dislodged or broke something?
No fluid = noisy pump and heavy steering?  :happy2:
Title: Re: Heavy steering after minor incident...
Post by: Degudodger on October 25, 2014, 09:30:33 am
Power steering on the mk5 is electro magnetic so no fluid.
Title: Re: Heavy steering after minor incident...
Post by: OSB on October 25, 2014, 09:35:40 am
You may have knocked the tracking out, which could give a heavy feel to the steering. Get that checked.
Best way forward then is a VCDS scan and see if any faults are shown .
Title: Re: Heavy steering after minor incident...
Post by: Rangenuse on October 25, 2014, 09:42:51 am

Any lights on the dash or unusual sounds?
No lights on the dash, and there was a knocking sound when pulling off until the exhaust got levered back into place as had been knocked back slightly by the impact. Now there is just a couple of light rattles coming from underneath, which may have been there before. But it's just now that I am noticing them as I am listening out for things.
Title: Re: Heavy steering after minor incident...
Post by: Rangenuse on October 25, 2014, 09:50:41 am

You may have knocked the tracking out, which could give a heavy feel to the steering. Get that checked.
Best way forward then is a VCDS scan and see if any faults are shown .
Is there a chance of knocking the tracking out even if the impact was just with the undercarriage of the vehicle? As I'm pretty certain the wheels never touched the deer. Also you will have to bare with me as I am not the most mechanically minded person! Also 2 days after the incident, my car alarm started to sound for no reason which it has never done before. Could this just be a coincidence? I have been turning off the internal sensor before locking, and to my knowledge the alarm has stopped going off. Could this also be related to the impact?
Title: Re: Heavy steering after minor incident...
Post by: KieranED30 on October 25, 2014, 09:52:12 am
Power steering on the mk5 is electro magnetic so no fluid.

I didn't know that haha not even noticed, you learn something new everyday :)
Title: Re: Heavy steering after minor incident...
Post by: Rangenuse on October 25, 2014, 09:52:39 am

Have you checked your power steering fluid level? If the deer has had such a big impact could have dislodged or broke something?
No fluid = noisy pump and heavy steering?  :happy2:
The steering fluid reservoir was the first thing I was looking for! Then I read a couple of posts on here about it and discovered it was electric haha
Title: Re: Heavy steering after minor incident...
Post by: KieranED30 on October 25, 2014, 09:54:08 am
Haha I just assumed it was fluid, never give it a second thought but at least I know now :)
Title: Re: Heavy steering after minor incident...
Post by: OSB on October 25, 2014, 10:59:02 am

You may have knocked the tracking out, which could give a heavy feel to the steering. Get that checked.
Best way forward then is a VCDS scan and see if any faults are shown .
Is there a chance of knocking the tracking out even if the impact was just with the undercarriage of the vehicle? As I'm pretty certain the wheels never touched the deer. Also you will have to bare with me as I am not the most mechanically minded person! Also 2 days after the incident, my car alarm started to sound for no reason which it has never done before. Could this just be a coincidence? I have been turning off the internal sensor before locking, and to my knowledge the alarm has stopped going off. Could this also be related to the impact?

We all had to learn at some time - so don't worry! That's what the forum is for  :happy2:

No idea about the alarm, but you could have knocked a sensor or wire loose.
If it were me, I would get it to a garage, good indy or main dealer, explain the circumstances and symptoms and get it checked ASAP.
Where abouts are you? There is normally someone on here who can recommend a good VW place in your area.
Title: Re: Heavy steering after minor incident...
Post by: Rangenuse on October 25, 2014, 11:09:09 am


You may have knocked the tracking out, which could give a heavy feel to the steering. Get that checked.
Best way forward then is a VCDS scan and see if any faults are shown .
Is there a chance of knocking the tracking out even if the impact was just with the undercarriage of the vehicle? As I'm pretty certain the wheels never touched the deer. Also you will have to bare with me as I am not the most mechanically minded person! Also 2 days after the incident, my car alarm started to sound for no reason which it has never done before. Could this just be a coincidence? I have been turning off the internal sensor before locking, and to my knowledge the alarm has stopped going off. Could this also be related to the impact?

We all had to learn at some time - so don't worry! That's what the forum is for  :happy2:

No idea about the alarm, but you could have knocked a sensor or wire loose.
If it were me, I would get it to a garage, good indy or main dealer, explain the circumstances and symptoms and get it checked ASAP.
Where abouts are you? There is normally someone on here who can recommend a good VW place in your area.
So can the tracking be knocked out even if there is no direct impact with the wheels? And I am in Near leamington spa. I do have stealth racing not too far away who are VAG specialists.
Title: Re: Heavy steering after minor incident...
Post by: xjay1337 on October 25, 2014, 11:18:28 am
Any impact to suspension components can effect the tracking.
Title: Re: Heavy steering after minor incident...
Post by: Rangenuse on October 26, 2014, 03:44:20 pm
Okay thankyou for the advice!