Golf 6: Heavy Steering - Causes & Fixes

Hello everyone,

I'm having the following problem:
My Golf 6 Variant 2.0 TDI from 2012, with 65,000 km (and remaining warranty), feels difficult to steer. The power steering assistance is definitely present (the car is very hard to steer with the engine off).
About two weeks ago, I first noticed it. At that time, the car still had winter tires on. I always felt that steering to the right was heavier than steering to the left.
I've now put summer tires on the car. It's not much fun to drive anymore. I have to apply a relatively large amount of force compared to other cars, especially when taking high-speed turns, just to keep the car from sliding out. My summer tires aren't particularly wide either; they're 205/55 R16. So it probably isn't due to that.

I already took it to a mechanic, but he said that if no warning light is on, then nothing is actually broken. He says the steering feels very stiff, but since there's no warning light, he suspects the problem might be with the tires...

I currently own and drive a 2002 Audi A3 1.9 TDI, a VW Lupo from 1998, a 2010 T5 2.0 TDI with all-wheel drive, and a 2000 T4 Multivan, and all of them have normal, soft steering.

Do you happen to be familiar with this issue? I don't think it's the 'stuttering' problem, but rather a 'lagging' or 'performance' problem.

Is the water level in the balancing tank within the acceptable range?

If the system is leak-free, I would change the hydraulic oil. If that doesn't help, then the power steering pump or the steering gear are likely the problem.

The Golf has electric power steering.

It's unlikely that anyone can tell you remotely why the steering is stiff. Therefore, in my opinion, you will probably have to inspect the steering gear more closely. You might be able to reduce friction by greasing or lubricating certain areas.

Since it's an electric servo, I might also check with VCDS to see if any data can be read out and potentially coded or adjusted. However, I could also be completely wrong about this.

Greetings.
Sure.

Here is the translation of the text from German to English:

"Guste" means "gust" in English. It can also be used as a verb, meaning "to gust."

I've already made quite a bit of progress on this topic.

I checked for errors using VCDS, but of course, nothing was found.

I have a steering system of generation 3, model P@3305. Unfortunately, channel 01 is locked, which prevents me from making any adjustments.

'I also have a durometer hardness of 70. I'm not sure how hard or soft that is.'

Hello!

Generally speaking, people don't have good things to say about electric power steering systems.

I just received an unsolicited promotional mailing from some company that repairs steering systems. They claim to work on all types of cars.
It was still in my trash folder.
Common error messages often include: "No power steering assist," "Total steering failure," "Torque sensor fault," "Communication error," "Steering difficult to turn in one direction," "Power steering motor defective," "Water damage," "Noises from the steering system," etc.

"It also states:"
VAG Steering Rack, Generation 2:
- Torque sensor error.
-no power steering support.

While there used to be cars where the axles would seize up, meaning the guide joints would become stuck, that hasn't happened for a long time. However, it wasn't Volkswagen that experienced this issue.
However, it's still worth checking before you invest in another short trip by car.

Hi,

Could you please send me a photo of it? Then I can show it to my mechanic and see what he thinks.

Thank you.

Hello everyone,

Does anyone anywhere recognize this problem?

I feel it more and more...


My colleague says that it's minimal and the effort to find it isn't worth it.

I was on the stage and I lifted both wheels off the ground. When I steer without the motor, the steering feels stiff on the left side during the last half rotation.

On the right side, it's already quite difficult, almost a full rotation.


I then put my hand on the throttle and someone else steered. The engine sputtered a little bit. I'm already going to have to replace the shock absorbers.


But what worries me is that things are already becoming more difficult on the right side, and I'm concerned that it might not be the steering rack after all...

Hi!

Can you also loosen the tie rod ends?
and check if the individual suspension arms are easily rotatable.
There were some issues about 15 years ago, but I can't remember the exact vehicle type now.
The lower guide joints were stuck/difficult to move.
It wasn't VW; I think it was the cars with the star logo.

Well, if you're already replacing the strut mounts, you'll see that too.

I was already having the alignment checked, and during that process, the tie rods were loosened.

What surprises me completely is that the mechanic perfectly aligned my steering wheel, but while driving, it still pulls slightly to the left, according to the sensor reading in VCDS, which is approximately 9 degrees.


Is the steering wheel aligned straight using a measuring tool or by visual inspection?

Cognitive bias: During the alignment process, the steering wheel is straightened using the correct adjustment values.

If it's not perfectly straight after that, then either the measurements were incorrect, or the car is crooked, deformed, or has mechanical damage.

I don't understand that right now, sorry.

I've had the alignment adjusted several times. The mechanics always straighten the steering wheel, then secure it, and finally adjust the toe using the tie rods.

Just for my own understanding as someone who's only somewhat knowledgeable about fixing things, I don't really see how there could be another way to do it.

Here's another tip regarding a crooked steering wheel while driving: Often, the road slopes slightly to one side. If the road isn't curved across its width, simply test whether you need to compensate by steering towards the other side when traveling in the opposite direction.
There are certain roads where, when I'm driving along them, the steering wheel is always slightly crooked because the road surface isn't level from side to side.

I also had different types of tires on the front axle, which caused the steering wheel to be slightly off-center. As a test, simply swap the tires.

Best regards, Rainer.

leon_20v wrote:

I don't understand that right now, sorry.. I've had the alignment adjusted several times. The mechanics always straighten the steering wheel, then secure it, and finally adjust the toe using the tie rods. Just for me, as someone who's only somewhat knowledgeable about tinkering, I don't know how else it could be done.

I apologize if I didn't explain myself clearly. Of course, the steering wheel would be visually aligned, and a deviation of 9 degrees would be noticeable. A free workshop or tire shop cannot afford to have all conceivable diagnostic tools for every brand.

If, after the alignment during a test drive, the steering wheel is misaligned and Rainer's recommendations have been taken into account, and the correct tire pressure has also been ensured, then either the alignment was not performed correctly or there is a defect in the vehicle.