Steering Clunk Vw T5 Van

**Baytown** · 16-02-2009, 06:37 AM

G'day fellas.
Has anyone with a T5 van experienced the issue with 'Steering Clunk'?
There is a clunk noise and vibration through the steering wheel, either straight or turned, and is obviously through the linkages. ?Intermediate steering shaft.

I'm taking my van in to Pickerings in Townsville today to get it checked out under warranty. My van is a 07, with 28000 kms on it.
The Poms have an extensive history of this issue as per their web sites.
Any idea how common in Aussie vans?
Wish me luck with the dealership.

Ken.

**phaeton** · 16-02-2009, 06:58 AM

Good luck

Did you check the power steering fluid level ?

**gregozedobe** · 16-02-2009, 10:35 AM

Originally Posted by Baytown

Any idea how common in Aussie vans?
Wish me luck with the dealership.

I haven't read of many Oz vans with the dreaded steering "clonk". Maybe we didn't get so many of the earlier build T5s ? IIRC it was more prevalent in the 2004/5 vans, but I'd expect your dealer to fix it without quibbles.

If they argue maybe print off a few dozen of the UK "clonk" posts to show them and mumble something about things being very serious if it fails and causes an accident when you are driving along (and then asking for their name and writing it down along with a quote of what they said if they still refuse to help).

I've found that making an unco-operative person aware that they will be held personally responsible for something really bad that could (and should) have been avoided seems to concentrate their mind quite well, and can often lead to a much better outcome for you. It is important that you do this in a very calm, matter-of-fact way, so that they don't feel immediately threatened by you, but you make it very plain that they won't be able to avoid being held personally accountable if things do go really pear-shaped sometime in the future due to their inaction.

Done well, they might not even realize you are black-mailing them into doing what you want (but this technique only works if the situation warrants the threat and they have the power to say yea or nay, so sometimes you have to work your way up the food chain abit to get to the real decision-maker).

**Baytown** · 17-02-2009, 07:24 PM

Well, Pickering VW in Townsville readily agreed that the issue was the Intermediate Steering Rod, and will change it under warranty no problem. My Vans a late 2007 model with 28000kms on it, so just luck of the draw I suppose. I also had a blown fog lamp which they are also replacing. Work gets done next Tuesday. VERY HAPPY with the service, to the point where we are looking at a new Tiguan from them to replace the wife's SS Ute.
I'll let you all know how I went.

Best wishes fellas.

Ken.

**phaeton** · 17-02-2009, 07:36 PM

Originally Posted by Baytown

Well, Pickering VW in Townsville readily agreed that the issue was the Intermediate Steering Rod, and will change it under warranty no problem. My Vans a late 2007 model with 28000kms on it, so just luck of the draw I suppose. I also had a blown fog lamp which they are also replacing. Work gets done next Tuesday. VERY HAPPY with the service, to the point where we are looking at a new Tiguan from them to replace the wife's SS Ute.
I'll let you all know how I went.

Best wishes fellas.

Ken.

Good to hear

Are you gettting a Tiguan as a loan car ?

**coastie** · 18-02-2009, 07:35 PM

Hi Ken,

I had the intermediate shaft replaced on my 06 Multivan at around 30000 kms. It would clunk only when dropping into gutters across driveways and when turning right at roundabouts, it was more felt through the steering wheels than actually heard. It was something I asked them to investigate at normal service and they replaced it without question and gave me a loan car for my trouble. Hope yours goes well.
Pete

**Baytown** · 21-02-2009, 07:11 AM

G'day Ben and Pete.
Good to hear re the issue being repaired under warranty in Oz, as per the UK. I just hadn't heard much on this list re the issue. Mine would clonk either left or right turns, under gentle acceleration and other times. I would both feel and hear (quiet) the free play in the shaft. It came on fairly quickly after my run to Townsville from Melbourne. No front end damage, and I don't drive over gutters etc. I'd like to see the worn part so I can get a photo to post of the offending bush, uni joint or what ever.
Re loan car, Pickerings in Townsville charge a fair price for a loan machine. I don't know what the car is, but it worked out to around $60 or more a day. A car rental would be cheaper.
Re the Tiguan, no, we are planning buying a new one in the next few months. It'll be the wife's car which concerns me, as she trashes everything!

Best wishes from Nth QLD fellas.

Ken.

**Baytown** · 03-03-2009, 06:24 AM

Well, Pickerings VW replaced the Intermediate steering rod, and also a blown fog light under warranty.
Fixed the problem, so great service.
Interesting to see how long this fix lasts, and if the part has been modified. I was going to speak with the mechanic, but they were flat out.

Best wishes all.

Ken.