Reduce play in steering (5min job with guide)

Jordan20vt · Apr 9, 2009

Ok so i stumbled across an old thread, in which people complained about excess play and knocking in the steering. Steering on the mk3 is pretty poor compared to other cars, and my main gripes is the play and general woolyness :blink:

On this thread SPUD_G40 said about tightening the connecter bolts on the steering shaft as it goes through the bulkhead. This seemed to work and was an instant fix (even for the people who couldn't feel much play in it)

I've done a guide below to show how to do this, it's really easy!!

1. Undo the three crosshead screws that hold the dash undertray in the footwell.

2. Remove undertray

3. You need to remove the plastic gater which surrounds the steering column as it enters the bulkhead, undo the 2 plastic 10mm bolts

4. you should then see the 2 13mm brass bolts on the steering column which need to be tightened. Give it a wobble mine had loads of play in it!!!

5. Tighten the 2 13mm bolts. (don't expect them to be loose mine were not) i tightened them until i felt no more play in the steering. And then some more for good measure

Don't get silly though and overtighten them.

Then refit everything and check out your new tight steering!! :funk:

dai cupra · Apr 9, 2009

exellent guide mate ive got a bit ov play in mine ill have to give it a shot cheers pal

cuprachrissy · Apr 9, 2009

nice guide mate, top job!!!

Jordan20vt · Apr 9, 2009

Thanks, i havn't driven it properly yet, just manoverd in and out the drive. Feels sooo much better

Altech · Apr 9, 2009

Do you think this might work for my Mk4 Ibiza? I've got a fair amount of play in my steering too...

Jordan20vt · Apr 9, 2009

Possibly but i'm not to sure if it's the same connections.

dai cupra · Apr 9, 2009

so u really havnt been out in it yet how do u no it works for sure

Altech · Apr 9, 2009

JORDAN PD??? said:
Possibly but i'm not to sure if it's the same connections.

Cheers, I'll take a look at mine and see.

Jordan20vt · Apr 9, 2009

Right i've just driven to the shop! steering feels 100% more confident and alot quicker. Really pleased with it!!

i'll go out for a 'proper' drive after rush hour

dai cupra · Apr 9, 2009

cool mate keep me informed pm me

Mat · Apr 9, 2009

Never really had a problem with the steering TBH. Might be worth a look one day when I'm bored (along with actually doin the N112 LMAO)

Jordan20vt · Apr 9, 2009

Well i sometimes drive a ford focus, so the steering on the ibiza in comparison is pretty poor. But feels so much better now!

Mat · Apr 9, 2009

Only time i've noticed is the few times I've drove my bros megane 225. However, his just feels lighter (a lot).

truCido · Apr 9, 2009

I'd take those nuts off and put a bit of loctite on so you don't have to keep tightening it

Yes you should have something similar on the mk4 I believe, all that part is, is the connection from the steering column in the car to the power steering rack(I think thats where it goes anyway lol)

Jordan20vt · Apr 9, 2009

Yeah i think if you never drive anything else you don't really notice (get used to the crapness lol) But it's definatley worth doing for the sake of 5 or 10 mins. Give it a go see what you think

Jordan20vt · Apr 9, 2009

truCido said:
I'd take those nuts off and put a bit of loctite on so you don't have to keep tightening it

Yes you should have something similar on the mk4 I believe, all that part is, is the connection from the steering column in the car to the power steering rack(I think thats where it goes anyway lol)

Not a bad idea, but the nuts were not actually loose they were fairly tight. It was just the connection that was loose :think:

truCido · Apr 9, 2009

JORDAN PD??? said:
Not a bad idea, but the nuts were not actually loose they were fairly tight. It was just the connection that was loose

hmmm I dont get you lol!

In this pic the red arrow is pointing to a backing plate which is basically a plate with 2 threads coming off which go through the column the blue arrow is pointing to and another column at the other end and then obviously the nuts hold this in place to keep them together, the other shaft around them shouldn't allow any "twisting" motion so I do find it strange that tightening them when there not loose makes any difference!

I actually drove my car without one of the nuts in place and it didn't make any difference to the feel of the driving lol

Jordan20vt · Apr 9, 2009

Yeah i know what your saying but the nuts wern't actually loose, but there was a fair bit of play where the shaft you have arrowed in blue goes into the join arrowed in red. Sure it could probably hold secure with only one nut tight.

But if there is play at any point of the steering system then it's going to make it lack feel. Slight turns of the wheel are going to just move the loose part of the linkage instead of the tyres. Same will happen in reverse with the feedback you get from the tyres on the road.

lemonslap · Apr 10, 2009

I think there should be play in these componants to allow the rack to move in an accident so the steering wheel doesn't end up in your chest!

TractorboyITFC · Apr 10, 2009

How is a tiny bit of movement goin to stop the steering wheel hitting you??? The rack is so burried under the car toward the back it would probably never get hit in an accident anyway. There should not be play in the steering, those bolts are there purely to hold the shafts tight together. There should not be any play.

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