Grinding Steering Wheel Column

[Rising_SiD]

When turning the wheel sharply at low speeds [such as on a car park], my steering wheel column has started making a very odd grinding sound. I would suggest plastic-on-plastic rather than anything metal.

It only started yesterday, have any of you guys experienced this?

Cheers

[maisbitt]

Haven't experienced it, but the A3 is supposed to be infamous for going through steering racks, and my MK5 Golf had one replaced - seemed very clunky near the 2 extremes of full steering lock, something to look out for with the Scirocco having similar mechanicals.

[Rising_SiD]

OK thanks, I have booked it in with VW for Friday so will let you know!

[ayeaye]

My late 2005 Mk2 Leon had a grinding noise at low speed turning left - turned out it was a new steering rack and a known issue with Golfs and Leons at that time. So could very well be a similar thing.

[Deacon]

I noticed mine does this too when making low speed turns on full lock (e.g. in car parks, etc)

Deacon

[maisbitt]

Seems that VW haven't fixed this old issue. Wasn't aware that Leons suffered from this as well as Golfs and A3's, now it seems that they haven't put this right for the Scirocco (and MK6 Golf too?). The dealerships must love the warranty work they get from these inherent faults.

I sometimes wonder whether VW care about these faults - if you have a fault like this on a new car, maybe you'll be too fearful about keeping it beyond the warranty and so will go and buy a new one when yours is 3 years old.

[Nobby]

I'd almost forgotten but we had a Polo that we bought new in 98 which did this too !

[Evil Derboy]

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[maisbitt]

I don't think I had one of the redesigned ones when mine was replaced, 16 months after mine was replaced on the MK5 Golf, it was going the way of the old one, just as I part-exed for the Scirocco.

[billington.mark]

I had this with my MK4 Golf, turned out to be the power streering fluid that was slightly low, id check that before worryng about steering racks!

[Evil Derboy]

.

[Rising_SiD]

As usual, great response, thanks guys! It is definitely an internal noise, can't hear it outside the car. Hopefully quick fix and everything will be right as rain!

Its in at 8.00am tomorrow, so will let you know the outcome.

Cheers

[johnjm]

It needs a new steering rack. With the Golf 5 GTI I had to have it replaced twice. Nothing to really worry about, its not a safety issue, its just teh electric motor that wore too quickly or something.

[maisbitt]

Why haven't they sorted this issue? I needed one on my MK5 Golf (and would've needed another if I'd not changed), this has to be an inherent design fault with the steering rack. If it's that common a design, surely the development costs of a redesign won't outweigh the warranty costs associated with not sorting this issue?

[Rising_SiD]

OK, just had the dealer on. Turns out there were some plastic transport washers that hadn't been removed on delivery. Allegedly look like fingers?!? These had come loose, and therefore started squeaking & grinding! Still sounds a bit suspect, but going to collect at 4.00pm so will check it out.