Yet another irritating problem with my mums bag of poo Mk.4 AEE 1.6 auto......its never ending...

Since having had to give in the car to a local garage to fix a worn out ignition switch (is everything on pre 2000 vw's shit or what?), I've noticed that the steering wheel is now not straight when the wheels are straight ahead, its nearly a quarter turn to the left. Because its not my car and I only use it occasionally I'm not entirely sure if it was always like this to be honest, but it's definalty a lot more noticeable since being at the garage. Anyway just want to know if this is this a simple fix, and if so where do I start? Obviously I don't want the airbag going off & knocking me out :-D

Also as an unrelated (I think) issue, the car has always liked to veer quite noticeably to the left if you if you let go of the steering wheel at speed, despite the tyres being fully inflated, what could this be? Tracking, balancing or suspension?

Thanks in advance

Edited 19 July, 200719 yr by s79

is everything on pre 2000 vw's shit or what

Wrong way round, mate. It's the new ones that ain't built so well IMHO

Try tracking.. Balancing wont make much differnce at low speeds. your suspension could be it.. but you'd notice it going over bumps, especially when turning!

Tracking's out mate - any tyre place should be able to sort it.

Thanks for replies guys, will get the tracking looked at to hopefully sort the veering problem. But any pointers about the steering wheel being skew-if??? Or is it related to the tracking?

p.s. dont mean to knock VW's or polos but theres always seems to be some kind of issue with it, it pisses me off something rotten and it aint even my car!!!

Thing with cars is that you either get a good one without problems or one that gives you grief non stop!

Most likely thing is shes bumped it off a kerb a bit to quick and knocked the tracking out. Place I get my tracking done usually puts the steering wheel back on straight because it knocks it off centre when they do it.