Hi all.

 

My car (Skoda Superb Combi 2.0 TDI  140HP DSG 4X4 2011) has steering problem. It has a distinctive deadspot on the center where I can rotate the steeringwheel almost 1cm (measured from the outer edge of the wheel) that nothing happens as the car doesn't change its course. It was there when I bought the from used car dealer and I managed to get the steering rack swapped from a lower km car as me and the workshop pinpointed the play to steering rack (or so we thought and the dealer was willing to swap the rack to a used one but not to a completele new one, so thats why we went with a used one).

My car was at about 175k km and the donor car was around 100k km when we the swap was done. Swap was done but no difference. Otherwise the car drives ok, goes straight when it's not windy, MOT guy didn't find any loose bushings or bearings. I checked the inner tierods on the oe rack and they were tight. Havent checked them on the swapped rack.

 

I have also checked the universal joints under the dash and as far as I can see and feel there is no play on those. On the pinionaxle where the steeringshaft attaches to I can flee play from side to side, but so there was a little play on the oe steeringrack aswell. The pinionaxle itself turns together with the actual steeringshaft, so thats why it looks like the problem would be on the actual steering rack loose gears. On the oe rack tightening the adjuster nut didn't help, it only made the steering more stiff.

 

So I am quite lost that what it could be. I would not want to spend my money on a complete new rack as the used rack didn't change anything (so problem somewhere else maybe). Don't think the dealer is willing to put any money anymore on the car as it has cost them already over 5k€ to fix it after our deal was done (new clutchpack and flywheel, new winter tires+wheels, few driveshafts etc).

 

Has anybody else had steering problems on their Superb?

Any fault codes stored?

 

When the rack was swapped was the software updated or steering settings / characteristics altered?

6 hours ago, Tech1e said:

Any fault codes stored?

 

When the rack was swapped was the software updated or steering settings / characteristics altered?

No fault codes. As far as I know it was direct swap with no coding needed/done as it was from a same age car and part number was identical. On my mind the problem doesn't seem to be related to software. I think it's the hardware somewhere that has play on it, but the question is that where. The play was identical also before the rack swap so it seems to be have done for in vain.

I’d be curious in what the steering angle sensor is reading as you move it off centre. If there is a delay in it reading and thus a delay in the motor moving then that could feel like a dead spot. 

10 hours ago, Tech1e said:

I’d be curious in what the steering angle sensor is reading as you move it off centre. If there is a delay in it reading and thus a delay in the motor moving then that could feel like a dead spot. 

I have checked those at some point to make sure that the sensor works, but I havent check as what the sensor says and is there any delay. I need to check that.

8 hours ago, IhmeJanneFIN said:

I have checked those at some point to make sure that the sensor works, but I havent check as what the sensor says and is there any delay. I need to check that.

I checked the sensor delay and it's values change as soos as I rotate the wheel even as little as the play that there is. Car was stationary and engine running during the test. The play can be felt even at standstill but it's not as noticable when driving.

Has to be mechanical wear in my view.

When I did mot testing I could feel the play when a ball joint or track rod end had play you could feel it.

The bod inside the car moved the steering as in your video and I had my had my hand on the joints. Play could easily be felt.

Prob just the rack you fitted was as knackered   as the one they removed.

Check there isn't wear in the steering column adjustment splines. Try adjusting the steering wheel so it is fully pushed in and see if the play is still there.

On 14/07/2019 at 00:25, bigjohn said:

Check there isn't wear in the steering column adjustment splines. Try adjusting the steering wheel so it is fully pushed in and see if the play is still there.

Tried that also, no difference. Think I have to crawl under the car try my best to look for if I could find something.

Found out what was the problem for the play on the steering. (Costly yea🙄

)

It was on the steering axles' lower telescopic section between the univeral joints (I think it's something to do with a crumble zone maybe?)

Anyhow, I have read somewhere that on vag cars there is a plastic bushing between the two metal pipes, which likes to fail. The play was so small it was not visible with bare eyes.

 

So probably the only real way to fix this is to change the whole axle and steering column (as they are one part)? I presume this costs a lot of money and as a new part only dealer? I would like to avoid second hand parts. I have now jammed some aluminium pieces between the two halves as a temporary fix to get the car driving well.

 

I have also consired applying 2k epoxyglue or similar between the two halves or a small welds to join them, but quite hesitant to do either as the telescopic movement is lost and if it is needed there as crash safety.

I would go back to the dealer, show them the problem and how you temporarily resolved it. They knew the fault was there but did not solve it so it is still their responsibility to do so, unless they paid you off, so to speak.

3 hours ago, mrgf said:

I would go back to the dealer, show them the problem and how you temporarily resolved it. They knew the fault was there but did not solve it so it is still their responsibility to do so, unless they paid you off, so to speak.

In Finland we have a 6 month "warranty" on used cars when buying from a car dealership, and it has already passed, so legally I am on my own now. And frankly I think that if I were to try to get this still done through dealer by court or some other legal way, there just wouldn't be any point on it as I would be the payer anyway.

 

 

 

I wonder if its a bush that is designed to fracture and leave noticeable play if the steering column has telescoped in an accident?

 

I would look very carefully for any evidence of front end repairs, paintwork, new bumper, grille, bumper internal beam, aircon condensor, intercooler, radiator, headlights etc.

 

Also take the glovebox out and see if there are any joins in the wire to the passenger airbag.

 

I have just done a front end repair on a Yeti, the bumper beam mounting plate extensions are the primary chassis crumple zone, the connector on the passenger airbag is either non removeable or fuses with the heat of deployment so a join in the cable is the only way to fit a new one.

 

Hopefully none of this is necessary but I do think the bush is intended to be a witness to a frontal collision, maybe someone hit the steering wheel with a mallet to fit it.

 

Better safe than sorry.

Edited 26 October, 20196 yr by J.R.

I get what you said, ihmejanneFIN, but the seller KNEW the problem was there. Surely that and the fact that they TRIED to repair the fault, means they are liable and therefor should fix it at the very least, labour free, if you obtained the parts but I would still try for a full free repair, based on that!