On the Golf 7, A3 8V, Octavia 3 and Leon 3, the steering rack uses electric power assistance. An electric motor sits directly on the rack and helps you turn the steering wheel with less effort. It's quiet and saves fuel. But as the years go by, you might start hearing a knocking noise from the front when you drive over potholes, or the steering warning light might suddenly appear on your dashboard. These are some of the Golf 7 electric steering rack problems I want you to know about.
How does the electric steering rack work?
There's no hydraulic pump here. Instead, you've got an electric motor with a reduction gear mounted directly on the steering rack. The electronics monitor how much force you're putting into the steering wheel and how fast you're driving. They then work out how much assistance you need. No more, no less.
What are the most common Golf 7 electric steering rack problems?
- "There's a knocking noise from the front over potholes" — the internal parts of the steering rack may already be worn.
- The steering warning light comes on and the steering suddenly becomes heavy.
- The steering wheel doesn't return to its normal position properly after a turn.
- A fault code is stored for the steering angle sensor.
How do we find out what's causing the problem?
- We start by reading the fault codes stored in the steering control module.
- We check the track rod ends and steering rods. Very often, they're the ones making the knocking noise, while the steering rack itself is perfectly fine.
- We inspect the suspension arms and anti-roll bar bushes. They can also cause knocking noises from the front.
- We check whether there's a software update available for the steering control module.
Should we repair the steering rack or replace it?
It all depends on where the problem is coming from. If the knocking comes from the track rod ends or suspension arms, we replace those parts. Why should you pay for an entire steering rack because of one worn track rod end? But if the fault is inside the rack itself, we usually end up replacing the rack together with its electric motor. Afterwards, we always carry out the basic settings for the steering angle sensor and a wheel alignment. Simply bolting a new rack into place isn't enough.
If the steering warning light is on and the steering has become heavy, don't carry on driving like that. If the power assistance fails halfway through a bend, you'll find it considerably harder to control the car.
Why do we need to calibrate the steering angle?
ESP, lane assist and the parking system all rely on knowing which way you've turned the steering wheel. After a repair, the steering angle needs to be calibrated correctly. Otherwise, these assistance systems might start behaving incorrectly or storing fault codes. That's why calibration isn't something you can simply skip.
A tip from Kris Mladenov: If your steering wheel sits crooked after a wheel alignment, take the car back to the workshop. On modern cars, it's not just an annoying crooked steering wheel. It can also interfere with how the driver assistance systems work.
If you're hearing knocking noises from the front or the steering warning light is on, bring your car to Das Auto Service and let us have a look. We'll check the steering rack, track rod ends and suspension to find out exactly where the problem is coming from. I don't want you replacing perfectly good parts based on guesswork. Because when someone gets that wrong, you're the one who ends up paying for it out of your own pocket.
Read more
- Vehicle Diagnostics at Das Auto Service
- Routine Servicing at Das Auto Service
- Audi A4 and A6 Multi-Link Suspension: Why the Arms Knock
- Wheel Bearing: A Humming Noise That Gets Louder with Speed
- Diagnostic Testing: What the Measuring Blocks Tell Us
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does the steering rack knock on a Golf 7?
There could be wear inside the rack itself, but quite often the knocking comes from the track rod ends or the suspension. That's why we first find out exactly where the noise is coming from. I'm not going to replace your entire steering rack on a guess.
Does the steering need calibrating after replacing the rack?
Yes, absolutely. After replacing the rack, we carry out the basic settings for the steering angle sensor and a wheel alignment. Without these, the repair isn't finished.
Is it dangerous to drive with the steering warning light on?
If the steering has become heavy, yes. Don't put off getting it checked, my friend. Bring the car in as soon as possible.