MK5 Golf GTI

All Things Mk5 => Mk5 General Area => Topic started by: jon-tfsi on February 10, 2010, 01:37:32 pm

Title: Major pull to the right after fitting SPORTLINES ..... NOW FIXED!!
Post by: jon-tfsi on February 10, 2010, 01:37:32 pm
I had some Eibach sportlines fitted to the Leon yesterday and when I picked it up from the garage it was pulling quite strongly to the right. After a few seconds i noticed a light on the dashboard. Its the shape of a steering wheel and is the power steering warning light and is on YELLOW meaning a minor fault

Had the car on Vagcom last night and its coming up with only one fault code

00573 steering torque sensor (G269)
008 Implausible signal

This could be the power supply or the sensor at fault

I have had a good look at the sensor under the car and the wires look intact and undisturbed.

The worrying thing is the sensor is part of the steering rack and cant be replaced on its own.
The rack is £700+ just for the part

Has anyone else had issues like this after fitting suspension to Mk5 platform cars?

Any input would be appreciated before handing the car over to the dealers to have my pants down
Title: Re: Help !! Major pull to the right after fitting SPORTLINES
Post by: MAT ED30 on February 10, 2010, 01:39:56 pm
they have not plugged the sensor back in so turn the steering wheel and stick your head in behind the wheels to see if its plugged
Title: Re: Help !! Major pull to the right after fitting SPORTLINES
Post by: jon-tfsi on February 10, 2010, 02:30:59 pm
This sensor is located on the steering rack itself.

Have just realised when on nearly full left lock it suddenly pulls left.
The only thing i can compare this to is when i bent a bottom ball joint on a nova.

I cant tell if its something mechanical causing the sensor or just the sensor itself?

Title: Re: Help !! Major pull to the right after fitting SPORTLINES
Post by: RedRobin on February 10, 2010, 02:32:44 pm
Jeeze! Didn't the garage fully test the car before giving it you back!!?  :fighting:

Name and shame the garage.
Title: Re: Help !! Major pull to the right after fitting SPORTLINES
Post by: john_o on February 10, 2010, 02:37:39 pm
as Robin says , what about alignment / checking?
Title: Re: Help !! Major pull to the right after fitting SPORTLINES
Post by: QD MBE on February 10, 2010, 02:42:08 pm
Jeeze! Didn't the garage fully test the car before giving it you back!!?  :fighting:

Name and shame the garage.

Hmmmm.........   deja vu........
Title: Re: Help !! Major pull to the right after fitting SPORTLINES
Post by: RedRobin on February 10, 2010, 02:44:16 pm
Jeeze! Didn't the garage fully test the car before giving it you back!!?  :fighting:

Name and shame the garage.

Hmmmm.........   deja vu........


....Yeah, unfortunately some 'garages' just don't bother.
Title: Re: Help !! Major pull to the right after fitting SPORTLINES
Post by: Andy on February 10, 2010, 02:49:55 pm
Take your car back to the garage,I assume it drove ok before hand
Title: Re: Help !! Major pull to the right after fitting SPORTLINES
Post by: MAT ED30 on February 10, 2010, 03:13:10 pm
the steering wheel light come on when the speed sensor is unplugged when doing the spring to get the shock off so it will be that trust me
Title: Re: Help !! Major pull to the right after fitting SPORTLINES
Post by: djhorace on February 10, 2010, 03:30:41 pm
Not so good Jon. Hope it gets sorted out mate.
Title: Re: Help !! Major pull to the right after fitting SPORTLINES
Post by: B3n on February 10, 2010, 03:48:21 pm
Have you turned the steering wheel both ways lock to lock since youve had it back?
Try it then report back
Title: Re: Help !! Major pull to the right after fitting SPORTLINES
Post by: jon-tfsi on February 10, 2010, 04:08:08 pm
I got the springs fitted at a local garage one man band.
Hes ok but now that there is a problem he does not know what to do. I've just got back from taking the car down to him again.
Everything seems in order visually. He said he just swapped like for like. To be honest I'm blaming myself now for not taking the car somewhere with more facilities.

Have you turned the steering wheel both ways lock to lock since youve had it back?
Try it then report back

Yeah i have driven the car quite a bit. It generally pulls to the right, whether going left, straight on or right.
I did notice that at almost full left lock itdecided to pull to the left.
At 60mph it almost feels like there is nothing wrong with the car and the pull all but dissappears
the steering wheel light come on when the speed sensor is unplugged when doing the spring to get the shock off so it will be that trust me
Hey Matt is this speed sensor the ABS sensor as well by any chance? I have found a sensor located on the hub which I thought was the ABS sensor. Its connected up to the plug. If it was broken though or had failed it would be the same as if its not connected.
There are also sensors on the bottom arms, connected by small rods with a ball joint at either end. These look like they measure the travel of the bottom arms. Dont suppose they would throw a steering fault?
Title: Re: Help !! Major pull to the right after fitting SPORTLINES
Post by: jon-tfsi on February 10, 2010, 04:11:31 pm
Have also had it in to get the alignment setup.
They refused to do it but they did get it on the machine and its only out by a bit.
They reccommended i take it to SEAT and to be fixed and bring it back for alignment afterwards.
Title: Re: Help !! Major pull to the right after fitting SPORTLINES
Post by: Greeners on February 10, 2010, 04:16:45 pm
Did you run the car with the new wheels/tyres before you had the springs fitted?
Title: Re: Help !! Major pull to the right after fitting SPORTLINES
Post by: MAT ED30 on February 10, 2010, 04:19:59 pm
bottom of the shocker u will see the plug just make sure its plugged in correctly as thats all he will have touched
Title: Re: Help !! Major pull to the right after fitting SPORTLINES
Post by: B3n on February 10, 2010, 04:42:10 pm
I got the springs fitted at a local garage one man band.
Hes ok but now that there is a problem he does not know what to do. I've just got back from taking the car down to him again.
Everything seems in order visually. He said he just swapped like for like. To be honest I'm blaming myself now for not taking the car somewhere with more facilities.

Have you turned the steering wheel both ways lock to lock since youve had it back?
Try it then report back

Yeah i have driven the car quite a bit. It generally pulls to the right, whether going left, straight on or right.
I did notice that at almost full left lock itdecided to pull to the left.
At 60mph it almost feels like there is nothing wrong with the car and the pull all but dissappears
the steering wheel light come on when the speed sensor is unplugged when doing the spring to get the shock off so it will be that trust me
Hey Matt is this speed sensor the ABS sensor as well by any chance? I have found a sensor located on the hub which I thought was the ABS sensor. Its connected up to the plug. If it was broken though or had failed it would be the same as if its not connected.
There are also sensors on the bottom arms, connected by small rods with a ball joint at either end. These look like they measure the travel of the bottom arms. Dont suppose they would throw a steering fault?


Nah mate have you sat in the car at a standstill then turned the wheel fully to the left then when youve hit the stop turn it fully to the right? This may cure the warning light.
The pulling to the left sounds dodgy take it back to the garage and get them to sort it asap!! Sounds like they aint done the job right.
Title: Re: Help !! Major pull to the right after fitting SPORTLINES
Post by: john_o on February 10, 2010, 05:24:52 pm
http://wiki.ross-tech.com/index.php/00573

it may be 2 different things

1: disconnected sensor wiring giving you a light
2: dropped on springs = alignment issues.

or theyve bent something like a track rod end or other ...
is steering still in straight ahead position?
Title: Re: Help !! Major pull to the right after fitting SPORTLINES
Post by: QD MBE on February 10, 2010, 05:56:16 pm
Jeeze! Didn't the garage fully test the car before giving it you back!!?  :fighting:

Name and shame the garage.

Hmmmm.........   deja vu........


....Yeah, unfortunately some 'garages' just don't bother.

Some garages?  Some of the best cock up...............
Title: Re: Help !! Major pull to the right after fitting SPORTLINES
Post by: SteveTDCi on February 10, 2010, 06:39:22 pm


[/quote]

There are also sensors on the bottom arms, connected by small rods with a ball joint at either end. These look like they measure the travel of the bottom arms. Dont suppose they would throw a steering fault?

[/quote]

that sounds like the adjustment for the xenons to me
Title: Re: Help !! Major pull to the right after fitting SPORTLINES
Post by: jon-tfsi on February 10, 2010, 06:43:06 pm

that sounds like the adjustment for the xenons to me

Ah that rules that out then !!
Title: Re: Help !! Major pull to the right after fitting SPORTLINES
Post by: QD MBE on February 10, 2010, 06:46:09 pm



There are also sensors on the bottom arms, connected by small rods with a ball joint at either end. These look like they measure the travel of the bottom arms. Dont suppose they would throw a steering fault?

[/quote]

that sounds like the adjustment for the xenons to me
[/quote]

x2.

Title: Re: Help !! Major pull to the right after fitting SPORTLINES
Post by: jon-tfsi on February 10, 2010, 07:01:13 pm
Have you turned the steering wheel both ways lock to lock since youve had it back?
Try it then report back

Just tried that mate. It didnt cure the light but it didnt feel good. Its stiffer turning to the left until nearly full lock then its gets real slack again for the last 45 degree

Did you run the car with the new wheels/tyres before you had the springs fitted?

Na mate just popped them on the front after the springs were fitted whilst waiting to get the car seen again. Couldnt help wanting to know what they look like with the new stance lol.
bottom of the shocker u will see the plug just make sure its plugged in correctly as thats all he will have touched
Just checked em again. They are both plugged in nice and tight

http://wiki.ross-tech.com/index.php/00573

it may be 2 different things

1: disconnected sensor wiring giving you a light
2: dropped on springs = alignment issues.

or theyve bent something like a track rod end or other ...
is steering still in straight ahead position?
:drinking:
Having done some research the sensor is well tucked away on the steering rack.
Its hard wired to the power steering motor and the wires look ok, no breaks etc. Gave them a tug and there not loose.

The alignment was checked and was reported to be ok although they did tell me they didnt want to adjust it till i had the issue sorted.

Something could deffinately be bent, it certainly feel like it. But then again the sensor throwing a code is the steering torque sensor. If thats thrown a wobbler then the power steering could be doing its own thing making it feel like something is bent?
Title: Re: Help !! Major pull to the right after fitting SPORTLINES
Post by: tony_danza on February 10, 2010, 07:09:02 pm
Have you tried pulling the battery for 15 mins? Let everything reset to factory default. Checked fuses?

Daft I know, but sometimes things just have a fit.
Title: Re: Help !! Major pull to the right after fitting SPORTLINES
Post by: QD MBE on February 10, 2010, 07:11:29 pm
Do the top mounts look ok?

Title: Re: Help !! Major pull to the right after fitting SPORTLINES
Post by: jon-tfsi on February 10, 2010, 07:22:40 pm
Have you tried pulling the battery for 15 mins? Let everything reset to factory default. Checked fuses?

Daft I know, but sometimes things just have a fit.

No have not tried that mate i will do that right away!!
Have spoken David at SERE motors (Seat dealer) today. He said his steering felt very weird until he had his alignment done. He asked the technician for me about this and he said " put some miles on it, it will sort itself out" LOL - he could be right !! I bloody hope so.

Do the top mounts look ok?


Yes they look fine and are making no noises going from lock to lock. They are notched so you cant really get them wrong.......or can you? :laugh:

I could have done this job myself but just couldnt be bothered. I wish i had now.
Title: Re: Help !! Major pull to the right after fitting SPORTLINES
Post by: Lyons on February 10, 2010, 07:25:13 pm
Are you from NI lad?
Title: Re: Help !! Major pull to the right after fitting SPORTLINES
Post by: jon-tfsi on February 10, 2010, 07:29:43 pm
Are you from NI lad?

No but SERE do unbelievably good prices on parts.
I phoned them for a quote for the sensor thats throwing a code and got a shock....over £700...OUCH !!!

Title: Re: Help !! Major pull to the right after fitting SPORTLINES
Post by: Lyons on February 10, 2010, 07:31:42 pm
What is it elsewhere?
Title: Re: Help !! Major pull to the right after fitting SPORTLINES
Post by: john_o on February 10, 2010, 07:45:08 pm
you could also do the 'reset'
http://wiki.ross-tech.com/index.php/VW_Golf_(1K)_Steering_Assist
Title: Re: Help !! Major pull to the right after fitting SPORTLINES
Post by: jon-tfsi on February 10, 2010, 09:04:21 pm
What is it elsewhere?

No I dont think so.
They mail parts direct to your door often much faster than it would be from the local Seat Parts Dept.
Title: Re: Help !! Major pull to the right after fitting SPORTLINES
Post by: jon-tfsi on February 10, 2010, 09:09:05 pm
you could also do the 'reset'
http://wiki.ross-tech.com/index.php/VW_Golf_(1K)_Steering_Assist

I will have to look into that.
We looked under block 007 to check the torque values but nothing was registering.

After disconnecting the battery for an hour tonight, I reconnected it and turned the ingnition and engine on..... the steering wheel light stayed on, the tyre pressure warning light stayed on and the esp light stayed on. All without the car even moving :confused:
Title: Re: Help !! Major pull to the right after fitting SPORTLINES
Post by: Poverty on February 10, 2010, 09:11:33 pm
you could also do the 'reset'
http://wiki.ross-tech.com/index.php/VW_Golf_(1K)_Steering_Assist

I will have to look into that.
We looked under block 007 to check the torque values but nothing was registering.

After disconnecting the battery for an hour tonight, I reconnected it and turned the ingnition and engine on..... the steering wheel light stayed on, the tyre pressure warning light stayed on and the esp light stayed on. All without the car even moving :confused:

They do that sometimes. Take it for a drive now and the luights should start to disappear.
Title: Re: Help !! Major pull to the right after fitting SPORTLINES
Post by: gillm on February 10, 2010, 09:44:33 pm
as above . i think you need to go over 15mph or something daft
Title: Re: Major pull to the right after fitting SPORTLINES ..... NOW FIXED!!
Post by: jon-tfsi on March 03, 2010, 06:20:41 pm
Its taken a while with one thing and another, but the car is thankfully now fixed.

Turned out it needed a new steering rack as the torque input sensor had failed.
The sensor is only a small part of the rack but you cant buy it on its own!!!
Seat wanted £770 plus a £250 deposit on my old rack, so i sourced one from a Breakers for £150..........a bit of a gamble but it appears to have paid off.

Im faced with another problem now though. Thought a had better get the geometry setup now its lowered and had the steering messed with.

Before getting the tracking done, the camber measurements on the front were -1.05 and -1.28........now they are -1.40 and -0.50
What the fook have they done?
The tracking measurements are bang on, but the odd camber is making it gently wander to the right and understeer when turning left.
Now there is no real adjustment on the camber on these. No slotted holes anyway.
WTF?
Title: Re: Major pull to the right after fitting SPORTLINES ..... NOW FIXED!!
Post by: ady-gti on March 03, 2010, 06:32:23 pm
I think they can adjust it by moving the subframe around, that's at;east the impression when I asked my dealer about getting a 4-wheel allignment done a while back.
Title: Re: Major pull to the right after fitting SPORTLINES ..... NOW FIXED!!
Post by: jon-tfsi on March 03, 2010, 06:37:36 pm
The subframe came off to fit the rack so that might explain why its out.
This place came highly recommended for alignment.
I got the impression they didnt know what they were doing.