Steering pulls badly to left & right, and moves on it's own when stationary

[CJM]

Thanks for that info RUM4MO. I've asked our local garage who services my VW for a quote for a replacement steering rack. They quoted for a non VW part so I've asked them to quote for an original part which a friend believes is a TRW too. I could ask the garage to see if they can source a TRW reconditioned one as you suggest, as I also suspect a new VW rack is going to be very expensive! I've also asked them to confirm that they agree that it's the steering rack before they change it!

[RUM4MO]

I've just checked an online VW parts catalogue and they do list a power steering rack, and an exchange power steering rack - which makes sense for a high value item that can be reconditioned correctly, and I'd think the official VW reconditioner of these racks will be their original manufacturer, ie TRW!

So, maybe VW main dealers are being lazy and just wanting to their customers for the higher cost "new" power rack - and maybe even handing back the old rack for a bit of extra cash out of that job - does make you think what is going on?

To be quite honest, now that VAG has stopped using that power steering system, and that warranty cover on the newest of these cars will have run out, I'd think that any replacement power steering racks will all be re-con'd units - or as they are in reality, re-manufactured power steering racks, ie like new.

So, the choice of the source of your re-man'd TRW power steering rack should only be based on cost as they all must be coming from the same factory, ie only one quality. I'd hope that your old unit will be fit for handing back for an allowance.

[CJM]

Thanks, interesting. I've had a quote for a genuine VW replacement steering rack from my local garage and they have quoted about £860, less if the job is quicker than they think. Quite a difference from the main dealer price! The price for the rack is about what you said, £541, not sure if that includes VAT, and I didn't ask them if it's a remanufactured unit, but in view of what you said, I suspect it is. I will ask them when I go next week if it is a recon unit and if that price includes returning the worn out rack to their VW supplier? That price is close to what Europarts are selling remanufactured TRW steering racks for including the return of the original rack, so that all adds up.

I always think that it is best to go into these repairs with as much information as possible so you know what the garage is doing and so you don't get ripped off, so thank you so much for all your help RUM4M0.