Hi -

I recently purchased a 06 1.9TDI Octavia II (previous car was Octavia I). Now I have noticed some steering play when driving 30mph and above [note there is no play when car is stopped]. I took the car back to the main dealer and they could see nothing wrong. I don't feel happy with that amount of play so I got a second opinion from auto express chap and they too did static checks and could see nothing, however on the test drive the cap was not convienced that everything was 100% and suggested I try drive another 1.9TDI to compare....he suggested that could be the setting in the newer octavia.

I still feel for a 3.5 year old (46KM) car there should be no play, the auto express chap suggested that the octavia II have a liitle play but that seems odd to me.

Any views before I go annoying the main dealer again. It feels like the problem could be in the steering column/rack?

Cheers,

octojoe.

Edited 5 September, 200916 yr by octojoe

Could be worn bushes, that would create a loose feeling in the steering. I know I wouldn't be happy with 10 degree play. As a sort of reference, mine is a little newer on an 07 plate but its covered nearly 50,000 miles and there is no play in the steering whatsoever.

I have no play, and would not accept any at all....

NO - it is not OK!!!

With 10 degrees of play it would probably fail an MOT.

First check the steering arm bushes.

Next, try grabbing the steering wheel and try moving it in the same way you would test a wheel bearing. If it moves then the steering wheel bolt may be loose.

Then I would look at the universal joint and check the clamp bolt isn't loose.

HTH

Mine has no play at all.

Neither does mine at 85K miles.

None that I have tested (two) had any play, compared to my Mazda if it helps.

Any chance what you're feeling as play is weird behaviour from the electric power assistance? I've noticed at lowish speeds that sometimes I get more assistance than I expect, leading the wheel to turn a bit too easily every so often. If the static tests don't show any play, then it may be the power assistance or one of its sensors malfunctioning.

The MOT Testers' Manual MOT UK - Mot information - resource for car and light commercial mot tests specifies free play in mm movement at the rim, not in degrees. I make this equivalent to about 4deg for a typical 15" diameter wheel. Enough said I think.

Hi guys -

Thanks for all your valuable replies.

Hymm, I'm not sure if I have play in the steering now! I guess I really need to test drive a new 1.9TDI? The so called play which I am experiencing is when I'm driving along and resting my relbow on the door pannel you can lets say shake the steering wheel back and forth by about 10 degrees if you increase the speed of the shake movtion it is precevied as play but if you make constant movement of steering it seems alright.....just in my previous 1.6 00 reg Octavia I I don't recall any such movement in the steering.

Sorry if I've confused the thread but I'm a little confused myself at this stage. No wonder the auto express chap was not certain.

Regards,

octojoe.

Edited 7 September, 200916 yr by octojoe

Hi -

I recently purchased a 06 1.9TDI Octavia II (previous car was Octavia I). Now I have noticed some steering play when driving 30mph and above [note there is no play when car is stopped]. I took the car back to the main dealer and they could see nothing wrong. I don't feel happy with that amount of play so I got a second opinion from auto express chap and they too did static checks and could see nothing, however on the test drive the cap was not convienced that everything was 100% and suggested I try drive another 1.9TDI to compare....he suggested that could be the setting in the newer octavia.

I still feel for a 3.5 year old (46KM) car there should be no play, the auto express chap suggested that the octavia II have a liitle play but that seems odd to me.

Any views before I go annoying the main dealer again. It feels like the problem could be in the steering column/rack?

Cheers,

octojoe.

Sorry 4 my bad english, but look to VAG what U have on UNIT 44/ adaptation / 01 byte

There can be value 1 to 6. 1 is hard 5 is soft 6 is RS

Ciao

I bet U will have 5 o)

I imagine this will end up being a mechanical issue, but I guess it wouldn't hurt to have a look for steering angle sensor fault codes? Either way, it definitely sounds wrong and you just need to push for a fix from the dealer.

Another thing you could try, is see if you can find a dealer with another simillar 2nd hand car and go for a test drive, then see if this car is the same as yours.

I imagine this will end up being a mechanical issue, but I guess it wouldn't hurt to have a look for steering angle sensor fault codes? Either way, it definitely sounds wrong and you just need to push for a fix from the dealer.

Yes I think this is definitelly wrong. I was montioring it again this evening and I believe there is a little play when stopped as well. But when moving there is definitelly some play ~10 degrees.

I'll have to go back to the dealers for sure and get it seen to not happy with it like this.

I'll let ye know how I get on.

thanks,

octojoe.

Ah, free play in the MOT test is measured with the car stationary.

Sorry 4 my bad english, but look to VAG what U have on UNIT 44/ adaptation / 01 byte

There can be value 1 to 6. 1 is hard 5 is soft 6 is RS

Ciao

I bet U will have 5 o)

Hi Krysimlade,

This is an interesting setting however is this value going to change the entire feel of the steering? For instance it will make the entire steering feel heavier or lighter......it seems unlikely it would tighten up a portion of the steering rotation no? I have no fault with the feel of the steering except for this play question.

octojoe.

Hi Krysimlade,

This is an interesting setting however is this value going to change the entire feel of the steering? For instance it will make the entire steering feel heavier or lighter......it seems unlikely it would tighten up a portion of the steering rotation no? I have no fault with the feel of the steering except for this play question.

octojoe.

I think Krysimlade is onto something. The setting gives artificial lightness to the steering. What might be perceived as play could be excessive assistance.

Alternatively, could it be tyres or tyre pressure?

I had ,,5,, and my subjective grip was 0. Now I have ,,1,, and it's ok for me. Pressure is 2.2 / 2.1 R16 Michellin.

Next problem can be calibration of the steering sensor and maybe geometry. Connect car to VAG an look for errors. Broken sensor must be on the log.

Ciao

Maybe this isn't that relevant where you live, but I'm guessing the extra weight gives you a better feel of surface slipperiness too.

I imagine this will end up being a mechanical issue, but I guess it wouldn't hurt to have a look for steering angle sensor fault codes? Either way, it definitely sounds wrong and you just need to push for a fix from the dealer.

O.K looks like "wega3k" advice was most appropriate i.e. stand firm and get the garage to fix it. It turns out the steering column needs replacing. Luckly this will be done under warrenty.

Thanks for all the suggestions.

I'll let ye know how I get on with the new part...I'm assumming it will be perfcet i.e. no play whatsoever.

Later,

octojoe.

Good news steering column replaced and now no play in the steering.

laters,

octojoe

Result.

Warranty or hand in pocket?

Warranty

Even better