Hi all, just got in from work after the Octy tried to kill me by throwing me into oncoming traffic! Problem started yesterday, was pulling to the left under acceleration then right under deceleration. Thought I'd be o.k if I took it gently. Was o.k on way to work. On way home something felt different. Feels really unstable. Steering wheel no longer centred, and will randomly, violently pull to the left and right. Honestly nearly put me into a head on!! Had a quick look under and nothing looks disconnected or snapped. It's my daily so really need to figure out what could be causing it. Steering fluid abit low but still above minimum. Any help appreciated! Thanks

Top up steering fluid to max, take it round the block see if fluid goes down, I did think maybe air in the power steering fluid line, check power steering drive belt is tight, or the steering pump could be failing

Jack front of car up with both front wheels off the ground, try to turn each road wheel as if turning left then try as if turning right. Any play, either track rod end b/joints are shot or lower suspension arm bushes are breaking up allowing tracking to change, or respective bolt that secures the the bush has snapped or is loose. Also while holding the tyre at the top and bottom try to  move it to and fro, if it does it could be the big ball joint that goes into the bottom of the suspension strut has failed, they unbolt from the lower arm and can be replaced. Tyre pressures? , I set mine to 32 psi on all 4. At rest, engine off see if there is any play in the steering wheel, the steering box can be ajusted to eliminate any gear play (very rare though).

If you find the cause please let us know what it was.

Good Luck

Inner wishbone bush movement or possibly a loose pivot bolt if you have recently worked on the vehicle.

 

I was disturbed by a phone call when I was tightening the suspension bolts after putting the vehicle weight back on the suspension and did not nip up one of the bolts, I suffered the same torque steer as you did under heavy acceleration or braking, i pulled out to overtake a car put my foot down and veered towards the RH ditch, I quickly aborted and returned home for a change of underpants.

 

It wont be a power steering problem.

 

You may be able to see any excess movement by trying to roll each front wheel to and forth with the handbrake applied.

1 hour ago, Shakka776 said:

Steering fluid abit low but still above minimum.

Based on @Silver Bullet advice, top up PAS, swing steering lock to lock several times, then check PAS again and top up some more if needed.

The hydraulic power steering system on the MK1 Octavia is not going to "randomly and violently pull to the left and right"

 

The clue is in the report that the steering wheel is no longer in the straight ahead position when driving in a straight (aside from the right & left deviations) line.

 

You should not drive the vehicle until the cause has been identified and repaired, were the worse to happen what you have posted in the public domain would change a terrible accident into reckless and deliberate endangerment.

Thank you for all the replies, gives me a good starting point. Will update once I get to the bottom of it. Cheers

Keeps getting worse!! Got her up in the air for a look. Front mounting point on the wishbone has torn through the subframe causing it to pop in and out. Looks like new subframe and wishbone. What's people's opinion on welding it up??

17 minutes ago, Shakka776 said:

What's people's opinion on welding it up??

Don't even think about it!

1 hour ago, KenONeill said:

Don't even think about it!

That bad of an idea?

21 minutes ago, Shakka776 said:

That bad of an idea?

Yes. I mean the subframe's already been pulled apart once, and now it's rusty and weakened...

Agree mate, will park her up till I can source a subframe. Do you know if the MK4 golf fits? Also do all mk1s share the same subframe? vRS etc.

5 hours ago, KenONeill said:

Yes. I mean the subframe's already been pulled apart once, and now it's rusty and weakened...

It won't have got rusty and weakened as a result of pulling apart, probably the opposite.

 

If it is rusty and weakened then dont even think about welding it unless you or the person that does it is competent to fabricate something to pick up on good steel and put back the lost strength.

 

If it is a fatigue fracture without corrosion then welding might, only might be an option but the above still applies.

 

And once again were it to fail and cause an accident injuring a third party the evidence of who is responsable is plain to see.

 

I would weld it if I was happy I could do a good job but only because getting any second hand parts here in France is either impossible or would cost far more than a new crossmember, if I were in the UK then a good second had crossmember would be my choice