VW Golf Mk2 Owners Club

Steering Not Returning to Centre

July 02, 2024, 10:23:59 PM

Hi all,

I'm after some ideas of what to look at with regards to my issue, especially from anyone who has experienced this before.

As the title of the post says, currently my steering isn't automatically returning to centre when on full lock, if you let go of the steering wheel the car just keeps on going in a circle rather than straightening up! I noticed this after replacing the front sub-frame, both control arms and fitting a new power steering belt. I've had the front toe set to zero and lubricated the lower universal joint to see if this resolves the issue but unfortunately not.

Any recommendations as to what to look at next would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers   

Re: Steering Not Returning to Centre

Reply #1 – July 03, 2024, 08:40:01 AM

Usually I'd say it's your alignment, but the toe is where it should be, so that's a bit of a head scratcher.
I'm assuming your camber is ok too? I usually run -1.5 degrees to get a good combination of handling and tyre wear.
The other thing I'd try and check is to make sure that your subframe is central to the chassis. If it's off that might do something.
Is it the same if you turn left and right?

Re: Steering Not Returning to Centre

Reply #2 – July 05, 2024, 07:06:59 PM

Just been out in it today and yes it's the same on left or right full lock. One other thing I have noticed is that the turns from centre to full lock are not even in both directions, it's 1 1\2 in one direction and 1 3\4 in the other.

Out of interest how are you adjusting camber, I was under the impression only front toe was adjustable on the MK2 with std struts?

Cheers

Re: Steering Not Returning to Centre

Reply #3 – July 06, 2024, 12:22:36 PM

Sorry but I don't know about camber adjustment but the problem to me sounds like steering geometry. The steering wheel has probably been removed and replaced in the wrong position. I would have thought this should have been sorted at the alignment check.  I have seen it where the garage only adjusted one side of the track rod and that skewed the steering wheel.

Re: Steering Not Returning to Centre

Reply #4 – July 08, 2024, 04:31:01 AM

The camber (how much the wheel is off vertical) is adjusted via the 2 x strut-hub bolts each side. One of the holes in the hub allows for a bit of vertical movement in the camber. When I've been changing my suspension I've messed it up and it does affect the self-centring of the steering as well as an inconsistent "feel" when making parking manouvers. Garages don't normally adjust the camber when doing "alignment" and it takes time to do this properly.