To be honest, I find the idea that the steering rack could be so worn that you could hear it from within the cab, yet not have horrendous play at the wheel, a bit hard to believe.

Perhaps they mean that the mountings are loose, or perhaps they mean something else, but I'm struggling to think what could generate enough noise for them to think that it's wear in the rack.

 

To be honest, I find the idea that the steering rack could be so worn that you could hear it from within the cab, yet not have horrendous play at the wheel, a bit hard to believe.

Perhaps they mean that the mountings are loose, or perhaps they mean something else, but I'm struggling to think what could generate enough noise for them to think that it's wear in the rack.

I thought it odd too, yet I've used the garage for a few years now. Vans only done 140k, and as you say no play at the wheel.

 

As mentioned, doubt very much the Steering Rack is at fault. I just changed the steering rack on my other dub.. due to it leaking for a while - so unless the rack is leaking and / or has excess play.. I wouldn't touch it.
A PITA job to do on a driveway though... so can't see why the garage would moan about it.. using a lift!

However, I would strongly advise to renew / flush the Power Steering Fluid, if on original fluid. They are NOT life fluid, and most owners and garages overlook this during service cycles. Flushing the P/S Fluid can cure / prevent a lot of issues related to the rack. I used a refurb VW OEM rack along with new OE track / tie rod ends , and it's been absolutely fine for last few weeks.. no more leaks and steering like new again.

Anyway, I would focus on the suspension, particularly the shocks. If BOTH rear springs were broken, ask yourself why? Perhaps think about checking the rear shocks to start off with.

If original factory shocks, then on ~140K miles.. they're likely to be very fatigued, especially on a Caravelle. Just did my rear springs / shocks on my T5 Caravelle.. and my original OE shocks were knackered! - not to mention one of the springs was broken.

Drive was a lot better after changing the rear setup.. much more tighter, less crashy bumpy etc.

Now, Bitten the bullet... and renewing the complete front end suspension setup.

 

Thanks for the great write-up! Front shocks and springs would definitely be an investment. I'll get saving 👍

 

I've seen plenty of racks with wear on them but never heard one rattling. Light rattling is nearly always caused anti roll bar links. Sometimes you can hardly feel the wear but any slack whatsoever is enough.

 

Do you mean the drop links or the bushes? I'll do them myself if this is the case 👍

 

Drop links. I'm old. Can't guarantee a cure without seeing it but they are are cheap and fairly easy to do. The anti roll bar bushes can do the same but not as common.

 

I spoke to the mechanic today, he said with the van jacked up, by pulling the drivers wheel there is play in the rack, making a slight noise, no noise when pulling from the near side.

 

I personally wouldn't choose to ever use that garage again, unless that mechanic leaves. It seems that he doesn't understand how rack and pinion steering works.

 

I'm no certified mechanic.. but agree with triffic.

I would think if there was equal play either side, then possibly steering rack..

If one side, then most likely tie track rod ends.. and that's the noise I think he may be referring to.

I wuold be checking those in the first instance anyway..

Can't comprehend how he came to that conclusion really..

YTS boy?

 

Thanks for the backup fellas, I was starting to wonder if my little knowledge was all wrong.
I've ordered some meyle tie rods as first point of call, and if no joy I'll try another garage. 👍

 

If, it turns out to be the steering rack I can recommend Just Kampers, they do an exchange on refurbished units, did mine recently and all was good 😊

 

Just a thought on this, when the mechanic said “nowt wrong with the anti roll bar bushes” were they disassembled? As I’ve done nearly 90,000 miles with my T5 (shes done 280,000 now! 👍🏻) and have replaced them 3 times, each time they passed an MOT coz there was no visible play but the bushes wear in the middle top of the bush under the clamp and you get metal on metal making a hell of a rattle.. hope this helps 👍🏻

 

Thank you, no he didn't..... I'll order them and replace. I'm waiting on drop links to arrive and replace as a matter of course also 👍👍👍

 

Worth a try as they’re only a couple of quid each! Hope it helps you 👍🏻

 

Hi, I purchased a 05 caravelle a fortnight ago. I noticed it's quite rattly around the bumps. So I booked it in for tie rod and ARB bushes.
Garage said nowt wrong with them, however both rear springs were broken (now replaced) and the rattling was from the steering rack.
Garage reckon too much agro fitting refurbished racks as they've had customers come back when they fail months later.
However new vw one is around £800 for the part.
Do I gamble on a refurbished rack? Any experience with this happening to you?
Thanks, Dylan

Yes new racks or refurbished racks will fail if you do not replace the pump, flush the system and clean the reservoir.
Failed racks are usually the result of a worn pump that has disposed metal particles in to the system.
Unless you clean it properly and replace the pump at the same time the cause of the problem persists.

also important using a refurbished rack to ensure the rod has been replaced.
Unusually the difference between your 200£ jobby and the ones offered for 400£ that replace the rod.

 

I remember a rattle on a mk3 golf we used to have.
After quite a bit of investigating it turned out to be a warn track rod end, but not the outer one, the inner ball joint which connects onto the steering rack.