Hi,

I hope someone can shed some light on this.

GTI 6N2 2000

I was driving to work this morning, and when i was going round a slight corner i heard a loud crack/bang, then my steering wheel was sitting 90 degrees ccw. i stopped cos i thought i had a blow out on the nsf but wheel and tyre was intacted, no movement from wheel either side and no excess on the rack. the car still drives straight but the steering wheel now sits as mentioned above.

there is no notchyness in the rack to suggest a broken teeth/spline in the rack itself.

i took the plastic covers off undeneath the steering wheel and had a look at the uni joints but they are fine.

the only thing i found was the bolt that holds on the bottom uni joint was not slack or tight.

i think i have said all i can say as i only had a quick look at work.

Is there anything it could be that i have missed?

Any help appreciated

Thanks

Mark

You could well have found the problem when you discovered the loose clamp bolt on the UJ. If this is the problem DO NOT DRIVE the car until you have sorted it, as what may have happened is that, due to the clamp being loose, the coupling has jumped one or more splines.

Once that has happened, it just isn't safe to rely on re-tightening the clamp, as it could (and probably will) let you down at a very awkward time, leaving you without steering control.

If this is the problem, replacement parts are almost certain to be required.

It should always be part of a service to check that clamp bolt, as it is one of the most vital parts of the vehicle.

Regards.

thanks for the reply.

it was the steering rack itself that had jumped a couple teeth for some unknown reason. new rack fitted and away she goes.