Steering heavier one way, **how to remove VR6 rack**

[andy 0]

My g/f has just got hold of a VR6. It was quite heavy to steer right on the way home after buying it. I got it 4 wheel laser alligned today, totally back in spec and much better but its still heavier to turn right than left. Any ideas on this?

[carpy25 0]

different make tires ? tire pressures ? try swapping wheels right for left could be a bent wheel

 

Rob

[andy 0]

I've dropped the front tyre pressures now, they were nearly 40 psi, knocked them back to 35. They were the same pressure left and right and they seem to be the same make with approx same ammount of wear overall. Its just occurred to me that maybe its been driven for some time with the suspension out, maybe that's worn the tyres unevenly . Will get them off and check later.

[VR6 0]

Are they standard size rims?

[Kevin Bacon 5]

Assuming all the tyres / suspension / bushes etc check out OK, it will be the steering rack. Been there, done that.

[fla 9]

from what ive read, most corrados tend to pull to the left slightly. Mine has done it since i've had it, with different wheels, tyres and 4 wheel alignment. Dont forget its a short wheelbase car and the camber of the road will also affect the pull.

[andy 0]

Just to clarify, its not pulling to the left, its just heavier to turm the steering wheel to the right than the left. Bizarre.

[davidwort 0]

Just to clarify, its not pulling to the left, its just heavier to turm the steering wheel to the right than the left. Bizarre.

not bizarre at all, if the valving in the rack is shot you're not getting proper assistance when you turn one direction, like Kev said, re-con of the rack is needed, or new.

[andy 0]

Well its bizarre to me because I've never had or heard of another car with that problem. I see what your saying though.A new or recon rack is megabucks isn't it?

[davidwort 0]

worth trying VW on price, most racks are recon from them now I think anyway, you should be able to get a recon rack for around 200 quid from specialist rack refurb firms or you could risk a mk3 GTI/VR rack, same part as all mk3 GTI's have the VR6 plus axle so the same rack and track rods, I picked up a sound mk3 rack for 40 quid or an Ibiza cupra up to 2001 has the same part.

[andy 0]

worth trying VW on price, most racks are recon from them now I think anyway, you should be able to get a recon rack for around 200 quid from specialist rack refurb firms or you could risk a mk3 GTI/VR rack, same part as all mk3 GTI's have the VR6 plus axle so the same rack and track rods, I picked up a sound mk3 rack for 40 quid or an Ibiza cupra up to 2001 has the same part.

Thanks for that, I like the sound of £40 ish a lot!

[andy 0]

OK, I 've looked in the Bentley book and there's little help. How easy is it to get the rack out on a VR6? What else needs to be removed, I'm imagining the rear subframe will have to come out? Can anyone that's done it shed any light on the rough procedure please?

[davidwort 0]

support the engine with an engine supprt beam (preferable)

remove rear engine mount and gearbox mount

remove outer track rod ball joints from hubs

drop subframe leaving wishbones attached and also still attached to bottom ball joints

you'll need to remove the UJ from the rack input shaft at this time too.

this should give you enough room to get at everything without removing the wishbones and subframe completely

I've never done it on axle stands, only a full garage lift so it may be easier to drop the entire subframe with the PAS hoses still connected up to save making a mess and deal with all the fluid and unions away from the car,

it would be a good opportunity to clean, derust and repaint the subframe if you removed it altogether.

[__Andy__ 0]

nice to meet you the other day, if you end up deciding that you do need a new rack then pop in and see me and i can sort you one out at a very good price, a lot cheaper then stealer thats for sure...

[andy 0]

support the engine with an engine supprt beam (preferable)

remove rear engine mount and gearbox mount

remove outer track rod ball joints from hubs

drop subframe leaving wishbones attached and also still attached to bottom ball joints

you'll need to remove the UJ from the rack input shaft at this time too.

this should give you enough room to get at everything without removing the wishbones and subframe completely

I've never done it on axle stands, only a full garage lift so it may be easier to drop the entire subframe with the PAS hoses still connected up to save making a mess and deal with all the fluid and unions away from the car,

it would be a good opportunity to clean, derust and repaint the subframe if you removed it altogether.

Thanks, exactly what I was after :)

[andy 0]

nice to meet you the other day, if you end up deciding that you do need a new rack then pop in and see me and i can sort you one out at a very good price, a lot cheaper then stealer thats for sure...

Yep, you too Andy. :) I think we'll try a 2nd hand one first as they're still a lot cheaper apparently. I'll see what the availability is and be in touch if we decide on a new/recon one instead.

 

Its going to be such fun swapping a rack by the sound of it......

[__Andy__ 0]

no probs at all, if you need a hand with changing it then let me know, am only down the road..

[andy 0]

Cheers Bud, this is what I like about owning a Corrado!

[__Andy__ 0]

Cheers Bud, this is what I like about owning a Corrado!

 

no worries buddy, its all part and parcel of owning a corrado. ive got to take my old one out of my shell this weekend so ill be clued up on how to do it..

[davmatt 0]

hI all

 

Did this come to a succesfull conclusion? My C has pulled to the left quite heavily for ages (despite alignment/wheel checks) and although its better with new tyres its always there. Heavier one direction than t'other too.

 

Currently having gearbox issues( bad whine and poor 1st 2nd selection) so it may be off the road shortly and I might as well replace the rack if this has a positive effect

 

Ta!

 

[sup:3skrp1dy][/sup:3skrp1dy]

[fla 9]

did you find out exactly why it was pulling to the left ie what was wrong with the rack to cause it to pull to one side?

[andy 0]

I haven't done this job yet. To be honest, I've got used to it, its my other halfs car and whilst she finds it more noticeable than me its really not bad enough to warrant the effort or expense involved in getting it out. The car has had full allignment and is a few other niggles sorted and its fine now really, I'm not sure I'd notice it day to day.

[rolex 0]

Well its bizarre to me because I've never had or heard of another car with that problem.

 

 

Mines now doing this! :lol: