Steering Column Bearing - S3
Discussion
I'm pretty sure that my bulkhead steering column bearing needs replacing, but I was wondering if anyone can second my opinion based on the symptoms...
There is up/down play at the steering wheel, but no left/right movement. Also, if I hold the steering column where it goes from the engine compartment into the bulkhead there is up/down movement there. Finally, when driving I can feel some slight looseness in the steering and a tendency for the car to follow camber changes etc. too much.
The main reason that I'm feeling a bit unsure is that I've seen a few previous postings stating that the bearing on the S1/S2 is nylon and prone to wear, but that the S3 is fitted with a metal bearing, the inference (as I read it) being that this is less likely to go.
Any feedback appreciated...
Thanks,
Richard
There is up/down play at the steering wheel, but no left/right movement. Also, if I hold the steering column where it goes from the engine compartment into the bulkhead there is up/down movement there. Finally, when driving I can feel some slight looseness in the steering and a tendency for the car to follow camber changes etc. too much.
The main reason that I'm feeling a bit unsure is that I've seen a few previous postings stating that the bearing on the S1/S2 is nylon and prone to wear, but that the S3 is fitted with a metal bearing, the inference (as I read it) being that this is less likely to go.
Any feedback appreciated...
Thanks,
Richard
I had up and down movement on my steering wheel just as you describe and I changed my bulkhead bearing and it sorted the problem out. I'm not sure it'll solve the problem of the car wandering but maybe it'll give you more confidence in the steering. Change the bulkhead bearing first (cheap and easy with a helper) and see what play remains. It's possible that either the steering UJs are worn (next cheapest and easiest) rather than the rack itself.
My car is an s3 and it had the metal bearing fitted already which had worn out and I replaced it with the same type that I ordered from David Gerald.
You'll need someone to help you fit it though as the captive nuts in the engine compartment are unlikely to still be captive and you're arms won't be long enough to reach both ends of the bolt/nut.
Regards,
Mark
>> Edited by dern on Friday 3rd January 13:15
My car is an s3 and it had the metal bearing fitted already which had worn out and I replaced it with the same type that I ordered from David Gerald.
You'll need someone to help you fit it though as the captive nuts in the engine compartment are unlikely to still be captive and you're arms won't be long enough to reach both ends of the bolt/nut.
Regards,
Mark
>> Edited by dern on Friday 3rd January 13:15
Richard,
I replaced my bearing as well on my S3c. Over time, humidity gets into the bearing.... so although better than the early nylon bushings, the ball bearing won't last for ever either.
You needn't to be 2 persons to undo bolts an nuts of the ball bearing housing, if you fix a self gripping wrench to one side, preferably to the bolts in the footwell. The wrench will block itself somwhere in the footwell (e.g. against the steering column). Now you can easily undo the nuts in the engine compartiment.
Don't forget to put marks on the steering column and UJ joint prior undoing everything.
To check if steering rack is ok, oscilate steering wheel around center point, while watching both rods getting out of the steering housing. If rods move up & down or back & forward prior moving left & right, then the rack needs to be refurbished.
Cheers
patrick
>> Edited by roulli on Friday 3rd January 15:59
I replaced my bearing as well on my S3c. Over time, humidity gets into the bearing.... so although better than the early nylon bushings, the ball bearing won't last for ever either.
You needn't to be 2 persons to undo bolts an nuts of the ball bearing housing, if you fix a self gripping wrench to one side, preferably to the bolts in the footwell. The wrench will block itself somwhere in the footwell (e.g. against the steering column). Now you can easily undo the nuts in the engine compartiment.
Don't forget to put marks on the steering column and UJ joint prior undoing everything.
To check if steering rack is ok, oscilate steering wheel around center point, while watching both rods getting out of the steering housing. If rods move up & down or back & forward prior moving left & right, then the rack needs to be refurbished.
Cheers
patrick
>> Edited by roulli on Friday 3rd January 15:59
...and after an hour of trying this technique, I went and made my wife put her shoes on
You needn't to be 2 persons to undo bolts an nuts of the ball bearing housing, if you fix a self gripping wrench to one side, preferably to the bolts in the footwell. The wrench will block itself somwhere in the footwell (e.g. against the steering column). Now you can easily undo the nuts in the engine compartiment.
Good luck,
Mark
Thanks for the tip Patrick. I was considering attempting the job solo as my wife's 8 months pregnant and probably wouldn't appreciate being sent into the footwell of the S, or fit for that matter! 
I think I'll give it a try (probably for less that an hour) and then, undoubtedly, go and ask one of the neighbours to come and lend a hand. 
I think I'll give it a try (probably for less that an hour
) and then, undoubtedly, go and ask one of the neighbours to come and lend a hand. Mark, I'm certainly hoping to get along to VW, but it's tentative at the moment as we have a baby due on Feb 10th so I'm going to have to play it by ear! I can certainly let you know how things are looking closer to the time. I'm still really pleased with the finish of the wheels. They come up perfectly every wash with minimal effort, and are still looking as good as the day they were done.
Justin, Thanks for the offer; good to know that help may be at hand if required.
I'm planning to order the part from Peninsular next week, and I'll then have a better look in the footwell to gauge the size of the challenge. I'll let you know how I get on - watch this space...
Cheers,
Richard
I can certainly let you know how things are looking closer to the time. I'm still really pleased with the finish of the wheels. They come up perfectly every wash with minimal effort, and are still looking as good as the day they were done. Justin, Thanks for the offer; good to know that help may be at hand if required.
I'm planning to order the part from Peninsular next week, and I'll then have a better look in the footwell to gauge the size of the challenge. I'll let you know how I get on - watch this space... Cheers,
Richard
Cool, I missed the first one I was planning to go because my daughter was 2 weeks late, that was just over a year ago now and this w/e she's just learnt to walk
Mark, I'm certainly hoping to get along to VW, but it's tentative at the moment as we have a baby due on Feb 10th so I'm going to have to play it by ear!
All the best,
Mark
Mark,
Our 14 month old daughter's recently started walking, so I understand the fun of seeing them take those first steps - it sounds like you have an early walker there though! It takes a little while to get used to seeing them walking around - looks very strange at first.
You just need to look out for those shoe bills now - £25 every 6 weeks
- makes the S look cheap to run!
Richard
Our 14 month old daughter's recently started walking, so I understand the fun of seeing them take those first steps - it sounds like you have an early walker there though!
It takes a little while to get used to seeing them walking around - looks very strange at first. You just need to look out for those shoe bills now - £25 every 6 weeks
- makes the S look cheap to run! Richard
Hurrah! 
Managed to change the bearing without the aid of a glamorous assistant!
8:00pm... Time to whip the old UJ off the splined shaft (bolt sheared in existing one, hence replacement needed) - should be pretty quick.
9:00pm... Got the UJ off! I can put the hammer down now.
10:45pm... By tightening a small adjustable spanner on the bolts in the footwell, I was then able to then undo each of the nuts in the engine bay. Unfortunately, the plastic bearing shell that Peninsular sent had a thicker rim than the original
so, after managing to get the bearing into it (a very tight fit) and then discovering that the bolts wouldn't appear through the bulkhead, I then had to try and prise it out again and use the existing shell.
11:15pm... Put everything back together inc. new UJ, and have small retaining clip left over that was on steering column, on its own, about 1 -2 inchs from bulkhead (engine bay side). Oh well, I think, it wasn't mentioned in the bible,
and didn't seem to be doing anything before anyway. No problem! 
11:45pm... Out for a test drive and I could hear a terrible rattling noise. OMG I think to myself, what have I done?! Then realise that I haven't latched the bonnet. 
Latch bonnet and drive a bit further. Seems to be lots of movement in wheel/column again! Back to garage and take a look. Plastic triangular inner moudling that sits inside bearing to hold column has slid out, hence movement in column. So that's what the retaining clip's for! 
12:00am... Off with the wheel and the UJ. On with the clip, the UJ and the wheel, and out for another drive. I can't believe the difference in the steering. I always used to think that the rattling every time I drove over a bump was just part of the S experience. The steering's now 100% direct and 100% solid. Fantastic.
12:30am... Bed, tired, sleep!
Definitely worth the £15 for the new bearing. Shame about the £65 for the new UJ, but at least I've got a new UJ as well now!
Managed to change the bearing without the aid of a glamorous assistant! 8:00pm... Time to whip the old UJ off the splined shaft (bolt sheared in existing one, hence replacement needed) - should be pretty quick.
9:00pm... Got the UJ off! I can put the hammer down now.
10:45pm... By tightening a small adjustable spanner on the bolts in the footwell, I was then able to then undo each of the nuts in the engine bay. Unfortunately, the plastic bearing shell that Peninsular sent had a thicker rim than the original
so, after managing to get the bearing into it (a very tight fit) and then discovering that the bolts wouldn't appear through the bulkhead, I then had to try and prise it out again and use the existing shell. 11:15pm... Put everything back together inc. new UJ, and have small retaining clip left over that was on steering column, on its own, about 1 -2 inchs from bulkhead (engine bay side). Oh well, I think, it wasn't mentioned in the bible,
and didn't seem to be doing anything before anyway. No problem! 11:45pm... Out for a test drive and I could hear a terrible rattling noise. OMG I think to myself, what have I done?!
Then realise that I haven't latched the bonnet. Latch bonnet and drive a bit further. Seems to be lots of movement in wheel/column again! Back to garage and take a look. Plastic triangular inner moudling that sits inside bearing to hold column has slid out, hence movement in column. So that's what the retaining clip's for! 12:00am... Off with the wheel and the UJ. On with the clip, the UJ and the wheel, and out for another drive. I can't believe the difference in the steering. I always used to think that the rattling every time I drove over a bump was just part of the S experience. The steering's now 100% direct and 100% solid. Fantastic.
12:30am... Bed, tired, sleep!
Definitely worth the £15 for the new bearing. Shame about the £65 for the new UJ, but at least I've got a new UJ as well now!
Richard - thanks very much for following up on your previous post. Pleased to hear you have got on so well.
I must admit that I find the drive on my S a bit hairy at speed as the car seems to wander alot. When I get up to 90 mph (on a track
) I normally start bricking it cos the car is wandering all over the place. I also get the knocking around when on an uneven surface.
my car is currently at David Batty's for service/MOT etc and I have asked him to change the bearing whilst its there. I will be delighted if it has the same effect as yours.....
I must admit that I find the drive on my S a bit hairy at speed as the car seems to wander alot. When I get up to 90 mph (on a track
) I normally start bricking it cos the car is wandering all over the place. I also get the knocking around when on an uneven surface. my car is currently at David Batty's for service/MOT etc and I have asked him to change the bearing whilst its there. I will be delighted if it has the same effect as yours.....
Phil - the wandering at speed was exactly what I used to get, and it can certainly be a bit unnerving at speed!
I had to go up to London today, and took the back route home from J8/9 on the M4 through Cox Green and round this back of Binfield. This takes in some uneven and bumpy roads which used to show up the worst traits of the steering. Today was a completely different story, with the car shrugging off the bumps (as much as such a light car can), and sticking to a straight line along the uneven straights.
If your steering problems were down to the bearing, I reckon you could be in for a pleasant surprise when you get the S back from David.
I'll keep my fingers crossed for you!
I had to go up to London today, and took the back route home from J8/9 on the M4 through Cox Green and round this back of Binfield. This takes in some uneven and bumpy roads which used to show up the worst traits of the steering. Today was a completely different story, with the car shrugging off the bumps (as much as such a light car can), and sticking to a straight line along the uneven straights.
If your steering problems were down to the bearing, I reckon you could be in for a pleasant surprise when you get the S back from David.
I'll keep my fingers crossed for you!
Mark,
dern said: Richard, are you still planning on going to virginia waters on feb the 2nd? I think I'll try and get along if you are as I'd very much like to see your wheels after they've been powder coated. Are you still pleased with the effect?
Regards,
Mark
My wife hasn't gone into labour yet, although there's still tonight of course
, so it looks like I should be able to make it tomorrow. Given her a good wash and polish today (the car that is ), so it's bound to p1ss down tomorrow! Hope to see you there, if you're still able to make it.
Cheers,
Richard
Sorry but I'm not going to be able to make it, my s3 blew its manifold last week
Mark,
My wife hasn't gone into labour yet, although there's still tonight of course
Hope to see you there, if you're still able to make it.
Cheers,
Richard
so I volunteered to decorate the living room to make up for the fact that I'll be spending a stack on a new stainless system for my toy . I'll catch you next time though. Good luck with the imminent delivery.
All the best,
Mark
Phil,
shnozz said: My car is currently at David Batty's for service/MOT etc and I have asked him to change the bearing whilst its there. I will be delighted if it has the same effect as yours.....
Did you get the bearing changed in the end and, if so, how noticeable was the difference?
Cheers,
Richard
RichardR said:Phil,
shnozz said: My car is currently at David Batty's for service/MOT etc and I have asked him to change the bearing whilst its there. I will be delighted if it has the same effect as yours.....
Did you get the bearing changed in the end and, if so, how noticeable was the difference?
Cheers,
Richard
Hi Richard, yep, did get the bearing changed and seems a lot more stable at speeds 80+. Before anything over 70 was fairly scary, now I will accelerate up to 100 (private roads only) and its far better. Still a little play (will change UJ in due course) but over all a vast improvement. The handling also seems more positive but not too sure if thats in my head or not..
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