T4 transporter steering rack problem

**Jezza** · 28-08-2007, 12:01 PM

I have all the service history of the vehicle. No evidence of gear oil changes but there is evidence of the timing belt change. I drove the van back from Newcastle to Geraldton in the last fews weeks and spent about 600km on dirt ranging from fast open recently graded roads to sandy, rutted bog holes. No pogoing on the front, it handled the dirt no probs.
Any tips on the steering rack, should there be any play in the rack like I have described above? I took it to a mechanic yesterday and he says there is definitely play in the rack and one of the rack ends has a small amount of play.

**t4tradie** · 28-08-2007, 05:20 PM

Hi There,

Brand new to the forum having just purchased last week an 02 TDI T4. My van required a few small things for roadworthy.( Van was bought from a dealer). One item was worn steering rack ends. My first thought was a tierod end, but on speaking to the mechanic he told me that it was the bearings in the end of the steering rack. I,m not sure whether the racks in the synchro's are the same as std T4's, but if they are the bearings are approx $100.00 genuine. ( The dealer supplied me with the invoice for the parts fitted to my van.) I can,t see this being a big job as my van was ready for me to pick up in 2 days ( This included full service, front pads an rotors an new screen. ) It seems that $3500 is a little steep! Hope this helps.

Cheers
Scott

Originally Posted by Jezza

Hi there. I am new to this forum. I have a problem with a loose steering rack and need help. I have just purchased a 2000 model T4 syncro TDi from NSW and have taken it across the pits in WA. 130,000 km. It failed on play in the steering. I put my van on stands and pulled off the steering boots to find play in the rod that comes out of the steering rack like a bearing is worn in the rack housing. Have priced a new one from VW Aust. and have been told $3,500 plus labour.

When my heart started again in a few hours I started to panic, have a bought the right vehicle if parts are going to be this expensive?

Can any one help me out there?

Has any one had the same experience?
Are good secondhand steering racks available?
Any good Transporter wreckers or mechanics that I can contact for help anywhere in Oz or overseas?

I have not yet heard from my car dealer if warranty will cover this expense, but he has been avoiding my calls. A bad sign!!

Thanks

**phaeton** · 28-08-2007, 05:42 PM

Welcome to VWwA Scott

**Jezza** · 12-09-2007, 03:39 PM

Just a note to close this one off. Thanks all for your replies. It was good to hear from you all so promptly. My T4 failed a rego inspection in WA. The note just said to "rectify play in steering". I went home jacked it up, checked it out. There was seemingly no play between steering wheel and wheels, tight as. I took off the boots on the rack and with one wheel left planted on the ground and the other jacked up I played with the wheel/tyre side to side. There seemed to be play and it was the steering rack moving up and down in the housing. I contacted my dealer who assured me that this was normal but failed to give me evidence (a non authorised VW dealer, just second hand sales specialising in VW people movers) I tried my hardest with VW Australia to no avail. No one at VW would help me, no one would give me info over the phone. They all said come in and get it insected. I live 500kms from the nearest VW service dealer. I took my van to the nearest mechanic who has done work on VWs in my home town and was told it was just a steering rack end. He replaced it for $212 and I am back on the raod after passing rego. I am still after info on the play in the rack within the housing if anyone could look it up in a manual for me. Thanks again people!

**Jmac** · 12-09-2007, 07:02 PM

Mate after working on them for so long i can tell you the play will be in the knuckles themselves. You can buy them seperately complete with rack ends. They are notorious for that. Watch this space for the part numbers.