Just wanted to check something really.

The mk3 1.3 (without power steering) is a bit heavy to manouvre at low speeds. Fine once up to say 20 mph but anything below and it is quite hard work.

Now I was expecting it to be heavy but not quite so much, it being such a light car and all. It doesn't seem to self centre terribly well either. Is there anything that commonly goes wrong with these?

I was thinking of just greasing up the rack to see if that helps. Do you need special grease?

I assume it would just be a case of taking off the bellows, greasing and refitting?

All thoughts welcome, and yes I do need to check the tyre pressures!

Tyre Pressure Check is done like you say...

The next thing to check is worn top mounts - as the bearing inside them becomes worn and makes the steering harder....

Whenever I replace top mounts it feels like I have power steering in my mk3 compared to old knackered ones!

For £15 a side - it is well worth the pennies!

hmmm sounds tricky.

I'd need to drop the whole strut right?

which bit needs replacing?

Hmm that shows a lot of bits there i am not aware of....

Top mounts are replaced by dropping the strut out requiring an 18mm drop spanner and then a castle nut remover tool (this castle nut holds the top mount onto the strut) once removed - change it over for the new one and refit the castle nut - pop the strut back in and tighten the 18mm.

Along with that there will be swearing and pain!

arse, don't want to go dropping the struts out. What a pain. how can I tell if the top mounts are shot?

There will be a large gap between the metal plate and the turret....

Normally a sign of wear...

You could try tightening the nuts and castle nuts - but replacing them will rectify the heavy steering!

I don't have a castle nut tool (in fact I can't even find one)

Anyway of doing the job without?

I don't have a castle nut tool (in fact I can't even find one)

Anyway of doing the job without?

if you look in your haynes manual it tells you how to make one out of a sparkplug socket!

What size of tyres are you on. Wider than standard are going to make it harder to steer. The steering rack is oil filled, so if theres been no leak then should be fine

If top mount is buggered you should get knocking sound from them when turning sharply at slow speed- i.e. parking or getting out of a parking space.

Castle nut tool can be had from GSF, about 7 quid. Or make your own using a socket and mr. angle grinder.

cheers for all the help everyone :-)

its completely standard so the tyres are about as wide as pencils.

The rack doesn't seem to be leaking so that should be all good.

i shall have to do some further investigation....

which numbered part in the picture is the top mount needed to stop the knocking and wobbly steering.

There will be a large gap between the metal plate and the turret....

Not always, I've had new ones fitted and there still be a gap, just how they fit sometimes.

There will be a large gap between the metal plate and the turret....

Not always, I've had new ones fitted and there still be a gap, just how they fit sometimes.

yes very true if ther is a large gap it doesnt mean ther knackard my top strut mounts are all brand new and fitted by my vw dealership and ther is still a bigish gap.