pretty sure I Need a steering rack for my 87 Breadvan.

steering has vibration felt thru steering wheel, 

Jacked up front LH wheel and rocked steering -have clunking coming from rack and if I grab where track rods join there‘s play L/R and also up and down!

 

Looks like there unobtainable so question is does anything else fit (I’m quite handy with a welder /older vw,s etc!)

Hi and welcome.

 

I looked at fitting a Golf mk2 rack,  it is wider and fatter but does not look impossible if you can make brackets and mounts to attach firmly to bulkhead and adjust at track rod ends.

 

Then I found out that the left hand drive rack is different and available. My Polo is left hand drive.

 

But anyway, there is a small nut on a diamond shaped plate that you can tighten a smidge from below to reduce steering play.

So try that first.

 

But up/down movement might be at the steering rack stirrup, or the bulkhead mounts, rather than inside the rack.

 

Try putting an ad in Wanted?

 

I've still got the RHD Golf rack somewhere.

 

1 hour ago, dvderlm said:

Hi and welcome.

 

I looked at fitting a Golf mk2 rack,  it is wider and fatter but does not look impossible if you can make brackets and mounts to attach firmly to bulkhead and adjust at track rod ends.

 

Then I found out that the left hand drive rack is different and available. My Polo is left hand drive.

 

But anyway, there is a small nut on a diamond shaped plate that you can tighten a smidge from below to reduce steering play.

So try that first.

 

But up/down movement might be at the steering rack stirrup, or the bulkhead mounts, rather than inside the rack.

 

Try putting an ad in Wanted?

 

I've still got the RHD Golf rack somewhere.

 

Hi and thanks for Your reply

And sorry  to make my first post a technical one, I do have loads of pics of my build to post at some point if I can resize all the pics!

 I’m usually more aircooled, bought this polo for my daughter to drive! 

 I nearly bought a golf mk 2 rack  until I realised the input shaft looks to be at more of an angle than  the polo. 
I will try to adjust on the screw you mentioned.
I take it the stirrup is the bracket were both track rods attach? This is where movement /clonk appears to be, but bolts appear tight. As do Steering rack bolts...car has only done 60,000 miles!

 

Yep, where the arms attach. Rubbers might be perished?

 

Part 10 in this (they call it follower)

https://7zap.com/en/catalog/cars/Volkswagen/brand/20/0/Polo/Polo (1982 - 1990)/Volkswagen/aXY0dHJBRkxnNVhCWi9kN1VzU2srdz09--/6bbffde8b5b8077d2d0a5796da6eea3c:56e01fac9c1396d358772e3be8524e9e/manufacturer/4/009033000::33000

 

Actually, I wonder if the front suspension top mounts are worn out.

That would explain up/down as well as left/right movement.

 

The dangling design is not very sophisticated.

Yep think your right one of the previous mots showed worn top mounts ,expect the little old lady kept driving it and That’s what shook it about!

 I Have since fitted new top mounts Etc when I replaced springs n shocks.and bushes all ok.

thanks for your help will keep looking for a rack!

 

On 03/09/2020 at 12:05, DaddyDubfunkle said:

Yep think your right one of the previous mots showed worn top mounts ,expect the little old lady kept driving it and That’s what shook it about!

 I Have since fitted new top mounts Etc when I replaced springs n shocks.and bushes all ok.

thanks for your help will keep looking for a rack!

 

Hi, I am also looking for a new rack for my Mk2F GT Breadvan, they seem to be unobtanium now, you used to be able to pick them up for about £50 at one time. I don't suppose you found the only place in the world that does RHD polo racks did you? lol