Do I Need a New Power Steering Rack?

[EMcG]

Hi everyone, I'm new here - I have a 2014 T5.1 with just under 150k miles on the clock.
I started noticing some play in my steering and my garaged has advised I replace the power steering rack and steering rack U/Js. They've recommended I pay for an OE power steering rack from VW costing £1900. I'm reluctant to spend that much, but will if that's what's best for the van.

What do you all think - should I look into a recon? If so, who would you recommend?

Should I look into a 3rd party manufacturer? Again, who would you recommend?

Thanks in advance!

 

[Pauly]

If it were me I would decide on how long I intended to own the van, if your selling soon I would go cheaper but if your planning to keep it longer term I would stump up and get the proper kit
Either option will work but I’ve been bitten with non gen before on work vans, noisy, lumpy, premature failure

 

[DXX]

First I’d get a second opinion, 150K miles is nothing and you certainly shouldn’t have steering wear at that mileage IMO.
Identify exactly where the wear is and replace that component if it is excessive, is it an MOT advisory / failure?
Is there an underlying cause for premature wear; mis-aligned rack due to non-standard suspension / running gear set up?
Have you flushed out the existing PS fluid and checked for debris, a worn rack would contaminate the PS fluid?
There are some Forum members who have reported issues with reconditioned steering racks, like most reconditioned equipment it’s only as good as the person carrying it out and the components used.
As mentioned above, how long are you going to keep it? How many other big value items are on the horizon?

 

[EMcG]

First I’d get a second opinion, 150K miles is nothing and you certainly shouldn’t have steering wear at that mileage IMO.
Identify exactly where the wear is and replace that component if it is excessive, is it an MOT advisory / failure?
Is there an underlying cause for premature wear; mis-aligned rack due to non-standard suspension / running gear set up?
Have you flushed out the existing PS fluid and checked for debris, a worn rack would contaminate the PS fluid?
There are some Forum members who have reported issues with reconditioned steering racks, like most reconditioned equipment it’s only as good as the person carrying it out and the components used.
As mentioned above, how long are you going to keep it? How many other big value items are on the horizon?

It's due an MOT in November but I don't think it would cause it to fail - the play isn't excessive, just annoying.

The van does actually have some Stance suspension fitted - could this be a cause then?

I sent it in for a 'health check' before a long road trip - I mentioned the stearin play and asked them to check it out. I doubt they would have flushed the fluid, or would they?

I only bought the van in November 2023 and I've done/spent quite a lot to it so don't plan on getting rid any time soon.

I'll take it to another garage for a 2nd opinion like you've said!

 

[EMcG]

If it were me I would decide on how long I intended to own the van, if your selling soon I would go cheaper but if your planning to keep it longer term I would stump up and get the proper kit
Either option will work but I’ve been bitten with non gen before on work vans, noisy, lumpy, premature failure

Yeah, I plan to keep it for the long run so maybe it's worth getting the real deal!

 

[DXX]

It's due an MOT in November but I don't think it would cause it to fail - the play isn't excessive, just annoying.

The van does actually have some Stance suspension fitted - could this be a cause then?

I sent it in for a 'health check' before a long road trip - I mentioned the stearin play and asked them to check it out. I doubt they would have flushed the fluid, or would they?

I only bought the van in November 2023 and I've done/spent quite a lot to it so don't plan on getting rid any time soon.

I'll take it to another garage for a 2nd opinion like you've said!

No idea what Stance suspension is but if the steering rack isn’t aligned as VW intended it could be loaded and causing wear due to excess friction.
Health Checks in my experience mean somebody looking for fault codes through OBD2, no benefit regarding this issue.
Nobody would flush / change the PS fluid without your permission and they would certainly invoice you for it.
Take it to respected garage who isn’t desperate for work, remember that you can get the MOT done early and still preserve the original date, see your latest MOT cert’.
As for spending more money, not sure I’d spend £1900 + just not to be annoyed, try driving another T5.1 and see if it’s any better before spending the £.

 

[Aer0nautics]

This comes up often, and it may well be your rack, or UJs, tie rods etc. I had the same, and spent days reading threads of people suffering similar unable to sort after spending thousands.

Does the play exist irrespective of where the rack is, ie at 90% full lock, and feels the same with engine on / off? And when wiggling the wheel in the ‘play’, there is no sign of movement in the rack/tie rods/wheels? That was mine, which suggested play was pre-rack and in the steering shaft.

Suspected the universal joints, but they were fine. Turns out there’s a slip joint in the steering shaft under the dash, one square bar inside another for taking up change in length in shaft when moving the wheel angle.

There is where many of us are finding the play. I gripped the lower section with grips, wiggled the wheel and sure enough there it was. Few screws removes the panel near the pedals to check.

Pic attached, best I have. Of my attempt to crimp and snug up the fitment. Others just drill / nut and bolt it, or drill tap and use a grub screw. Or buy a new one.

No one should be spending any money until checking this imo.

 

[DXX]

Good you have found that’s the problem but maybe better to renew.
You wouldn’t want to find that clamp fouling a pedal operation

 

[Aer0nautics]

Good you have found that’s the problem but maybe better to renew.
You wouldn’t want to find that clamp fouling a pedal operation

I didn’t leave the clamp there. Only picture I had from when I was trying to isolate issue.

And I’ve come across posts from people with nearly new vans complaining of the same thing, with play in that joint so it’s likely just a poor design / badly toleranced.

 

[EMcG]

This comes up often, and it may well be your rack, or UJs, tie rods etc. I had the same, and spent days reading threads of people suffering similar unable to sort after spending thousands.

Does the play exist irrespective of where the rack is, ie at 90% full lock, and feels the same with engine on / off? And when wiggling the wheel in the ‘play’, there is no sign of movement in the rack/tie rods/wheels? That was mine, which suggested play was pre-rack and in the steering shaft.

Suspected the universal joints, but they were fine. Turns out there’s a slip joint in the steering shaft under the dash, one square bar inside another for taking up change in length in shaft when moving the wheel angle.

There is where many of us are finding the play. I gripped the lower section with grips, wiggled the wheel and sure enough there it was. Few screws removes the panel near the pedals to check.

Pic attached, best I have. Of my attempt to crimp and snug up the fitment. Others just drill / nut and bolt it, or drill tap and use a grub screw. Or buy a new one.

No one should be spending any money until checking this imo.

View attachment 304653

Ahh I will look at that today! Thank you!!

 

[EMcG]

This comes up often, and it may well be your rack, or UJs, tie rods etc. I had the same, and spent days reading threads of people suffering similar unable to sort after spending thousands.

Does the play exist irrespective of where the rack is, ie at 90% full lock, and feels the same with engine on / off? And when wiggling the wheel in the ‘play’, there is no sign of movement in the rack/tie rods/wheels? That was mine, which suggested play was pre-rack and in the steering shaft.

Suspected the universal joints, but they were fine. Turns out there’s a slip joint in the steering shaft under the dash, one square bar inside another for taking up change in length in shaft when moving the wheel angle.

There is where many of us are finding the play. I gripped the lower section with grips, wiggled the wheel and sure enough there it was. Few screws removes the panel near the pedals to check.

Pic attached, best I have. Of my attempt to crimp and snug up the fitment. Others just drill / nut and bolt it, or drill tap and use a grub screw. Or buy a new one.

No one should be spending any money until checking this imo.

View attachment 304653

Looked at this today and at all looks to be moving as it should. Looks like the issue is further down the chain! ...I was really hoping this would be it!!