Mk3 Steering Wander

[stan_deezy]

It sounds more like suspension bushes. Surprised that the wheel alignment place didn't suggest it, unless you've replaced the bushes recently?

The ones I'd be looking at are the front wishbones and the rear axle bushes especially.

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Life is what happens while you're making plans

[neo]

One of the brakes binding?
Duff tyre/low pressure?
Overweight passenger?

Where is the wear on the tyres? If its on the inside then maybe the bottom balljoint has gone.


******** VAG Tech Advice *********
If it dont run right cold, change the blue temp sender.
If it aint got a spark, check earths, coil connections.
If it idles like ****, clean the ISV and throttle body.
For all other problems, use a hammer

[markzwei]

Gut feeling, and the fact that I have almost eliminated everything else, is that something has worn in the suspension and/or steering.

The only additional info I am able to offer is that:

1. I have had the car since Feb 05 and have not had the suspension bushes replaced.

2. The tyre wear is specifically only the about 1 inch on the inside of each of the front two tyres.  The tyres are almost worn smooth for the first inch with full tread for the remainder of the contact surface of the tyre.

3. Not sure if really relevent but had problems with the front brakes pads rubbing on the discs for about a year.  The front wheels would get really hot and in the end Kwik-Fit put original VW pads on and the problem was solved.  Could the heat have damaged the steering or suspension.

If something has worn in either the suspension or steering (ie. suspension bushes or ball joint) would a local garage be able to test and identify the problem or would, as the case has been to date, keep using trial and error in the hope of eventually finding the problem?

Many thanks for your help.

[neo]

I would check the bottom balljoints for play, but if the tyres are that worn it will make the car pull.
Put the baldies on the back and test drive it, if it's ok then perhaps the problem was the tracking / camber


******** VAG Tech Advice *********
If it dont run right cold, change the blue temp sender.
If it aint got a spark, check earths, coil connections.
If it idles like ****, clean the ISV and throttle body.
For all other problems, use a hammer

[markzwei]

I am finding that my Mk3 has a tendancy to wander left, towards the kerb, to the extent that I have to hold the steering wheel slightly to the right to keep the car in a straight line.  Also the steering is vague at low speeds and you have to over steer to compensate when approaching say a mini roundabout or junction.

In order to solve the above I initially changed the drive belt and tensioner. This had no effect so I recently got a local garage to look at it who changed the power steering pump. This again had no effect although they did advise that the inside of the front two tyres where badly worn which indicated poor wheel alignment.

Having today got the four wheels computer aligned (the toe in and camber were slightly out) again the problem still remains.

I am at a loss in knowing what to do next as no one seems to be able to identify what is wrong.  I need to replace the two worn front tyres but I don't want to fork out only for them to wear down again if the cause has not been rectified.

Any help or ideas regarding the above would be most appreciated as this is really driving me mad.