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Bad shudder in steering t5 -help please

29K views 28 replies 17 participants last post by  sifire  
#1 ·
Hello , i have a 2004 t5 ( done 155,000 km) that has a very annoying shudder/jitter/heavy vibration in the steering that can be felt and heard through the steering wheel.
Definately worse at full lock
It is not apparant at all when the car is moving or given slight revs. appears when stationary and you move steering wheel eg trying to park, and at its worst when the steering is at full lock ( it sounds terrible and is very distracting).

I have replaced the belt , this did help but only slightly, as prior to this there was a belt slap noise when idling.
I have also replace the tensioner, this did not make any difference t all.
Yesterday i fully replaced the steering fluid with no improvement.

My vw mechanic said ' the rack looks ok' and did mention something along the lines of ' steering rack bearing top struts looking ok too' ( I AM unsure of exact terminiology).

His last advice was to try changing the fluid, which as mentioned i have done without improvement.

Any ideas guys? as i dont want to keep replacing ever more expensive parts if it is unlikely the cause.
hope someone can help.
 
#3 ·
hi both

i have the same on my 2008 1.9 t28 with 44k

have had it checked and they seem to think its my pump!!

if you fix the problem let me know by pm please

will be starting to change parts first myself

cheers paul
 
#4 ·
Guys i have the same issue, i have a T5 2.5tdi 174 04 plate 110,000miles. I've changed the a number of things and found no difference. i was told that the alternator clutch could be the issue or the power steering pump and after having them checked was told that they seemed fine. I get the same problem when doing a three point turn as you, in that the steering judders when on full lock but only to the left and i guess when driving this is the same issue but worsened by doing 65-70mph.

Personally, i think my mechanic has giving up and is now saying go to VW but all i can see is a big bill and still no resolve....does anyone have an idea and if so could you let me know...

cheers
 
#7 ·
ive got this too
only in a morning when im getting van off the drive
its defo a judder not a cv joint clicking sound
i think it might be the strut top mounts/bearings if they have any
ive not looked at it as i can put up with for now
any body agree or am i barking up the wrong tree
 
#13 ·
First thing to check is the belt and tensioner. If you have a look at the tensioner there is a metal stop. With the engine running you can see it wobbling, it shouldnt be much and there should be a gap of aprrox 5-10mm. If there is no gap and its wobbling a lot it's time to replace the belt and the tensioner. If there is a gap you can try changing just the belt.

There is also a pulley on the alternator that can cause the judder when it's worn but you should check the belt and tensioner first. Also make sure you have the correct fluid (normally green) in the system

If after replacing all of these you still have judder then it could be the pump failing or even the steering wrack

I would check/replace in the order I have given as its the cheapest option should it cure it and is normally just the belt/tensioner
 
#14 ·
Hello again, i know its not the alternator pulley in the 1.9 model t5 as it has a fixed pulley, it is freewheeling/clutched sytem in the 2.5's.
so onward i look in my t5 1.9. My mechanic is starting to suspect the rack.

yes i am aware of different fluuid colours, drained and replaced was the first thing i did.
Cant be drive shafts as the car is not moving, they would have to be pretty stuffed to make a noise then!!!
Any one had any luck with power steering additives treatments that you add to the resevoiur?
 
#15 ·
hi all

i think we need to keep this thread active untill 1 of us has come to a resolution!!

i have talked to the service dept @ sinclair vw swansea and they said it soundslike strut top bearings

so i have booked the van in for them to check these on friday

cheers paul
 
#16 ·
Paul, Yes please let me know how you go with that one, i think there was a warranty claim on strut top bearings?.
My mechanic checked mine and thinks ok., along with rack.
He suggested i put in a power steering additive as i spoke about.
i am going to do that in the next few days-- i will keep you informed.
cheers Damien----- Tasmania-------Australia:)
 
#19 ·
Ok I finally got round to changing my alternator pulley (ÂŁ57 from tps) and my shudder has gone. So it was belt and tensioner first but shudder was still there. Now the pulley and all sortedT:

Guys, there did not look like anything was wrong with my old pulley so don't be misledI:
 
#21 ·
Thanks dubber, as you can tell i am not in rush to buy something that is not needed, hense the have not sorted it yet ( the additive to steering fluid made no difference at all
i will check out the pulley tomorrow and see what sort it is.
cheers
 
#22 ·
Had a similar problem on my last t5, the output shaft shaft from the gearbox is splined unlike your usual 'uj's, it is very common for these to wear and cause a feeling of play through the steering and vibration under power.
 
#26 ·
Did anyone find an answer to this? I have the exact same issue, I've had the alternator clutch pulley replaced as it was seized but the vibration is still present at parking speeds, it disappears with revs or speed.

Is the driveshaft linked to this symptom?

Thanks,
Paul
 
#28 ·
I have the same problem, the wheels judder at idle and it makes the squealing sound of a slipping belt on full lock. There is also a noise at tick over coming from the serpentine belt and the tensioner is waving up and down. I have replaced the tensioner and belt and examined the pulleys in the process. The only sign of any play is very slight at the air conditioning compressor. I was told that the crank pully has a rubber cush drive in it so I replaced that too. Still the same! Help!
 
#29 ·
I recently bought a T5 and it developed power steering shudder. My immediate thought was power steering rack so I took it to my local garage (www.northeastautotech.com). They said it would be the alternator pulley causing the problem.
Got to admit I was a little sceptical but they were spot on. They changed the alternator pulley and the judder has gone.