I'm looking for some advice please.

After various checks by 3 garages (2 main dealers + 1 indy) and replacement parts not making any difference..., it seems that there is play in the nearside part of the steering rack and the rack needs to be replaced.

I'm told it's not dangerous and was an advisory on the last MOT as "Nearside Play in steering rack inner joint(s)".

 

In an ideal world I guess I would like to go OEM but they are just so expensive.

 

Onto my questions:-

• Recommended aftermarket steering rack manufacturer
  • and reseller
• Can I do this job myself on the drive?
  • I'm reasonably competent with a spanner
  • If so how long (roughly)
• How much should an independent cost supply/fit?
  • I've had one quote @ £610 with an exchange rack (don't know the make sorry).
• Will the rack need to be re-coded via VCDS?
  • I've read that the rack needs to be setup after replacement. Is this true?

 

Thanks in advance

Are you sure it's not just the inner tie rod that's worn,quite common 

Thanks for the reply @gizmo98 - when you say inner rod do you mean steering arm that screws onto the rack with the trackrod end on the other end?

 

Yes had both replaced with OEM arms and track rod ends  and balljoints

Edited 21 June, 20178 yr by nidgep

Yep these,quite common for them to have play in them ...

 

 

 

 

Really?

I could understand cars of a certain age/mileage having some play.

 

So even new OEM steering arms have play in the joints at the steering rack end?

I took my car to the local VW main dealer after the Skoda dealer fitted the new arms etc.

The mechanic put the car up in the air and showed me the play by pulling at the top/rear of the front NS wheel.

 

I took the car to a local respected VAG independent garage who said the same - that it was the rack. They said that they had seen the exact same problem (thumping noise over various types of bumps) in BMW's where it was the rack at fault.

 

I'm not sure what else I can replace/test to disprove that it's the steering rack that has play.

 

Car has done 148K.

Edited 21 June, 20178 yr by nidgep
Additional info

No I didn't mean there should be play in them,just saw that you've already replaced yours with new ones so probably is the rack that's faulty 

Thanks @gizmo98

 

Back to the original questions.

Anyone have experience of racks, fitting, coding etc that they are willing to share?

The new rack will probably need coding and possibly the correct steering curve flashing afterwards.

 

Coding can be done with VCDS, steering curves can't

Thanks @langers2k - I have access to VCDS - is there a guide on here on what to do?

 

Steering curve? Never heard of it - what is it exactly? Power assistance/ steering angle? - 

http://wiki.ross-tech.com/wiki/index.php/03803

http://wiki.ross-tech.com/wiki/index.php/Skoda_Octavia_(1Z)

 

 

 

It will depend if you have a gen2 or gen3 rack. If it's a gen3, the steering curve can only be flashed rather than coded. It basically tells the car how much power steering effort to add at various speeds.

 

If you look at an autoscan, it will be listed. Mine for instance is curve 69.

Quote

Address 44: Steering Assist        Labels: 1Kx-909-14x-44.clb
   Part No: 1K0 909 144 M
   Component: EPS_ZFLS Kl. 69     3201

 

I think the coding is mostly done by adaption channels as there isn't a lcode for these racks.

 

Most is covered in this section of the rosstech wiki: http://wiki.ross-tech.com/wiki/index.php/Skoda_Octavia_(1Z)_Steering_Assist#Replacement

 

Might be worth adding an autoscan to show exactly what rack you have. I'd also run an adaption map on 44 to give you all the current adaption channel values.

Thanks for the info @langers2k

 

Here's the address 44 info from a recent scan.

 

Quote

Address 44: Steering Assist        Labels: 1Kx-909-14x-44.clb
   Part No: 1K2 909 144 M
   Component: EPS_ZFLS Kl.070 H08 1901 

 

From what you've said it looks like the steering curve is 70 on my Scout. What's the addition info 'H08' and '1901' mean?

I'll do another scan as soon as I can to get the additional info.

 

Cheers

H08 is the hardware version and 1901 is the software version of your current rack.

 

The new one might be different as I expect there will be a newer part available

Thanks again @langers2k.

I've run block 44 through VCDS and can see that the assistance is varying as I turn the wheel lock to lock.

 

Back to the original question.

Is there a recommended replacement rack manufacturer?

Can I replace the rack myself on the drive?

Is this too big a job to replace the rack myself on the drive at home?

 

Has anyone else done it themselves? - or better still a link to a guide...

Edited 5 September, 20178 yr by nidgep

Did you ever get to the bottom of this nidgep?

 

i have a code error 00573 steering torque sensor and have had someone check the wiring and i,m may be looking at a 2nd hand replacement rack but I dont know if mine will need coding