advice needed! 8v gti

[daz01]

after a lot of rain the other day i was driving to work in my 8v gti where i went through some puddles, not to fast but not slow, then as i went to go round a bend my steering failed to turn, obviously i slowed down and stopped but then after it was turning ok??? any suggestions into what this could be?? this has happened twice now, but its usually ok!

daz

 

[jcs356]

Are you saying that you turned the steering wheel and the car continued straight ahead i.e. the road wheels didn't move; or that the steering wheel became heavier to turn?

 

[andyj]

sounds like the powersteering belt got wet and slipped, meaning that the power steering pump wasn't getting any drive, and therefore the steering would have gone really heavy i.e. no power steering.....

only thing you can do is try tightening the belt slightly.....

 

[Tom B]

Yeah, check the condition and tension of the power steering belt (by the drivers side front wheel), they're about £5 and easy peasy to replace if you have a Haynes Manual.

 

[craig87]

could it be the steering rack as i had this problem with my old vauxhall??

 

[m0rk]

nah, it'll be water on the belt as suggested

 

[craig87]

just read the post didnt realise he went through a puddle!!!

Forget my silly comment lol!

 

[Gm8]

sounds like understeer ? tyres in bad shape ?

 

[Mckellar]

if it went heavy - like people have said it will be water in and around the belt..

if it was lighter than normal and no movement when u turned the wheel, aquaplaning could have taken place.

 

[smerko]

if it was lighter than normal and no movement when u turned the wheel, aquaplaning could have taken place.

i think it may have been that too

 

[daz01]

yeah it got heavier, but after i had waited for a bit it was fine, so im guessing its where the belt got wet then!!! cheers guys, gonna have to get a haynes manual now!!!