Hi

 

I have a 2003 mk 1 Octavia 1.4 petrol with 126k miles on it, have suddenly developed quite a bit of play at the steering wheel,does my head in trying to keep it straight on the motorway,inner and outer tie rods done 6 months ago, all suspension joints are rock solid and no wheel bearing issues.had noticed an occasional squeaking chirping type noise was coming from under dash on drivers side just prior to play developing,no idea if there is a connection,also when staring up from cold, there is one slight knock from steering wheel, but not every time.

have read a bit on other threads about steering column bushes,could this be it ?

thanks in advance for any advice,Conor

 

I thought the steering column was one bolted piece. I have a complete loose one at home. Rack to wheel, with uj on the middle.

Could possibly be steering rack mounting bush?

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no way,that bush must be gone at least 50% to have a play

hi, thanks for tips, replaced the steering rack bush with a powerflex one,fiddly job,took about 2 hours but at least i didn't have to remove subframe,it has improved it by about 90%, stiil feel there's something else though,may have a bash at bush on steering column next,conor

check if you have a play on the steering wheel on up-down axis 

no play in up / down and i take back my 90% improved, i jumped the gun on that update, it's still very much the same.

put one finger on the steering wheel and try to make the play,by moving 1 inch.That will help to locate the play,in column or rack

update, had ruled out suspension as my mechanic has said all were solid, but steering was so bad it felt like i was sailing it rather than driving it,anyway, brought it to another mechanice, turmed out lower nearside rear wishbone bush was knackered.he replaced the whole wishbone, on both sides,massive improvement, cheers to Brendan Kane Motors.

Hi

 

I have a 2003 mk 1 Octavia 1.4 petrol with 126k miles on it, have suddenly developed quite a bit of play at the steering wheel,does my head in trying to keep it straight on the motorway,inner and outer tie rods done 6 months ago, all suspension joints are rock solid and no wheel bearing issues.had noticed an occasional squeaking chirping type noise was coming from under dash on drivers side just prior to play developing,no idea if there is a connection,also when staring up from cold, there is one slight knock from steering wheel, but not every time.

have read a bit on other threads about steering column bushes,could this be it ?

thanks in advance for any advice,Conor

never updated this, but it was a worn steering rack, replaced it with one out of a scrapyard  and huge difference, car now has 271k miles on it and this rack is past its best now,time for another one

 

 

 

For reference I once had some play in the steering of my mkI Octavia 1.416v which turned out to be splines within the reach adjustment of the steering columns. The play disappeared if you adjusted the steering wheel so it was furthest away from you. Eventually it needed a new steering column.