Hi all,

I need some advice as I've just discovered what has probably been causing the juddering through the front wheels to the steering wheel on my 2001, 1.9tdi octavia. Initially the wheels juddered when braking at fast speeds but has gradually over a couple of weeks started to judder when turning at high speeds (changing lanes on a motorway).

The initial thought like most people would probably think was warped discs or possibly loosing a wheel ballance weight although more likely to be discs as I'm sure it started when braking. So before going out and buying discs and pads I thought I'd jack it up and have a look for any obvious problems as the allignment is clearly out due to my 6 month old dunlops wearing unevenly and down to the limit, the juddering obviously doesnt help either.

When the car was off the ground I straight away found excessive play from side to side on each wheel. It really is bad. You can see the track rods moving into the steering rack gaiter a good inch when pushing the wheel back ond fo. Has anyone had this problem before? Could it be play where the track arms meet the rack or due to it being both sides with what seems like the same amount of play is it more likely to be the rack itself?

Also is the rack electrically operated or hydraulic as reading some threads on here I'm not sure. I havent got the cash to send it to a garage to figure it out so was hoping to diagnose it myself but have little time as my wife now drives the car, often with the kids in it so I'm not letting her drive it as it is, so am down to 1 car with us both needing a car for work!

Any advice would be greatly appreciated,

cheers,

Chris

A 2001 car has a plain hydraulic rack.

I think this sounds like inner track rod ends. Aside from parts, the car will need a front end alighnment once the parts are changed.

Another vote for inner track rod ends, had my Audi sorted and it was like a new car and much quieter afterwards. The new tyres have lasted much longer than the set on the car when I bought it as well which is a bonus.

Cheers Ken and Manny,

looking for parts now incase I need them ( I hope I will as will be much cheaper than a steering rack change! ) Do you mean the threaded rod which screws into the steering rack? If so, what can cause movement in them? I hope your right though as their around a tenner each so from the heart ache I was feeling this morning about having to change the steering rack I'm now feeling much happier!

Chris, the track rods have a joint at each end. The outer one (also often referred to as the "ball joint") is obvious near the wheel. Your problem is wear in the inner joint, which is covered by the rubber gaiter that you're reporting flexing. I honestly don't know whether these are servicable or not off-hand. I'd suggest finding a reputable local garage to confirm the diagnosis first. With something like this, they'll probably do it for free, or at most charge for the 15 minutes or so that it will actually take.

The inner track rod should be a changeable part, just the same as the outer one. Inside the rubber is a CV joint that will wear with age. Usually if one side goes the other one will go with it, or not be long behind it.

thanks guys, i really appreciate the help. I will have another look, this time under the gaiter whilst someone wobbles the wheel for me. I should be able to change them myself and then find somewhere to do the wheel allignment.

Thanks again, I'll let you know how I get on

The movement should be obvious, well it certainly was on my Audi.

Hi there, i had the same fault on my 51 plate 1.9 tdi octavia. The problem is as mentioned above, ie the inner track rod, it is basically another ball / socket joint inside the rubber boot. This assembly simply screws onto the steering rack although the access as i found is a bit tricky. Whichever side your doing, make sure you turn the wheel so that the rack sticks out toward you, ie, if doing the left side then put full right lock on the steering. Also the aluminium clips which secure the rubber boot to the rack cannot be re-used as you'll need to cut them off but any cable ties will do. Like i said, a little fiddly to do but worth the effort. Mike.

I bought a set of track rods / rack ends off eBay, from a chap in Ireland. they were brand new, and cost about £18 including delivery. took around 20 mins per side to do, but i had all the equipment to hand. You will need the front wheel alignment adjusting after fitting them too. When i re-assembled mine, i gave everything a good covering of copper grease, which should prevent anything from seizing up, should it need future adjustment.

Thanks for the help guys, it was just the track rods and not the steering rack, thank god!

I couldnt do it myself in the end as access was bad with a sub frame lying directly under the inner end and with no special tool or anything else that I could get in there with the car on axel stands I had to take it to a man with a ramp. He charged me £95 and then I got the allignment done for £25 at halfords autocentre so not bad really.

Thanks guys, I appreciate the help