VW Polo - no power steering

Redpunto · 03-09-2008 4:46pm #1

Just bought 97 VW polo for €1000 but it doesnt have power steering,,,its in a lovely condition though with new tyres, gearbox,just passed NCT. Would it be worth trading in for one with power steering, trying to park is a fecker, or will I get used to not having the power there, would one of the same year with power steering cost much more...thanks

Alanstrainor · 03-09-2008 4:50pm

why did you buy it if you feel you need power steering? I doubt you'll be able to "swap" for one with power steering. i'd say you'll get used to it, but it is a bit of a pain alright.

Tipsy Mac · 03-09-2008 4:50pm

You wont get a 97 one with power steering.

Redpunto · 03-09-2008 5:05pm

Alanstrainor wrote: »

why did you buy it if you feel you need power steering? I doubt you'll be able to "swap" for one with power steering. i'd say you'll get used to it, but it is a bit of a pain alright.

I wasnt the acutal one buying, twas the OH

biggus · 03-09-2008 5:09pm

Make sure the front tyres are pumped up to the correct presssure or maybe above whats recommended

Biro · 03-09-2008 5:11pm

Tipsy Mac wrote: »

You wont get a 97 one with power steering.

You will in the 1.4!

colm_mcm · 03-09-2008 5:12pm

It is possible to retro-fit power settering by fitting a steering rack and pump from a model with power steering, but it'd be more economical to sell on the one you bought and seek out an Ibiza or Polo with power steering. AFAIK it was optional on the 1.0

L-M · 03-09-2008 5:13pm

I had one for a time, the only thing that made it bad was everyone saying "oh, no power steering it'll be very hard to drive" and that kinda craic.
Give it a week and you'll be used to it, won't know the difference. Put a bit of muscles in the arms anyway lol:P

BoardsRanger · 03-09-2008 5:13pm

biggus wrote: »

Make sure the front tyres are pumped up to the correct presssure or maybe above whats recommended

+1
i had a 98 seat ibiza, polo's sister car, and the steering was very heavy whilst turning or parking at slow speeds. it did help however inflateing the tyres to a slighlty higher pressure than recommended.

colm_mcm · 03-09-2008 5:18pm

be very careful with tyre pressures, too much and the car will feel hard on bumps and will lose grip easily.

snowman707 · 03-09-2008 6:12pm

colm_mcm wrote: »

be very careful with tyre pressures, too much and the car will feel hard on bumps and will lose grip easily.

++++++++++++++++ 1

especially if it doesn't have ABS

VH · 03-09-2008 6:28pm

colm_mcm wrote: »

be very careful with tyre pressures, too much and the car will lose grip easily.

have a read of this - they claim that tyres should be inflated to max - and theyre the police!

Alanstrainor · 03-09-2008 6:59pm

colm_mcm wrote: »

be very careful with tyre pressures, too much and the car will feel hard on bumps and will lose grip easily.

Ay, and over/under inflating will also wear out your tires unevenly.

Gary ITR · 03-09-2008 8:12pm

I was driving a 97 Escort with a knackered power steering pump for a few weeks.... Now that was heavy steering. My biceps were bulging but I got used to it after a few days, and the ladies do like the big arms

Darragh29 · 03-09-2008 8:24pm

Get it fixed! Shouldn't cost too much, get it diagnosed first!

blackbox · 03-09-2008 8:32pm

Darragh29 wrote: »

Get it fixed! Shouldn't cost too much, get it diagnosed first!

Get what fixed?

Get what diagnosed?

Did you post your reply to the wrong thread?:o

colm_mcm · 03-09-2008 9:23pm

Darragh29 wrote: »

Get it fixed! Shouldn't cost too much, get it diagnosed first!

Imagine the scenario

Redpunto: Have a few issues with the other half's car, there's no power steering, it's down on power, and the central locking doesn't work

Mechanic: It's a Polo 1.0 base. it's not supposed to have any equipment that's generally accepted to be essential

Redpunto: Oh.

ianobrien · 03-09-2008 9:24pm

I drive a couple of cars without power steering, and it's much easier to turn the wheel if the car's moving. If you are reversing out of a space, for example, have the car moving slowly as you turn the wheel. It'll be much easier!

Darragh29 · 03-09-2008 9:36pm

blackbox wrote: »

Get what fixed?

Get what diagnosed?

Did you post your reply to the wrong thread?:o

It's only a power steering prob. Get it diagnosed first! I got my mate with the same problem sorted out last week for 20 Euro. Granted, I didn't charge him labour, just a burst pipe from the power steering pump to the steering rack imput port, but easily resolved. Get it professionally diagnosed first, that shouldn't cost too much...

L-M · 03-09-2008 9:43pm

Darragh29 wrote: »

It's only a power steering prob. Get it diagnosed first! I got my mate with the same problem sorted out last week for 20 Euro. Granted, I didn't charge him labour, just a burst pipe from the power steering pump to the steering rack imput port, but easily resolved. Get it professionally diagnosed first, that shouldn't cost too much...

... I think something is being missed here if i'm correct. The car doesn't actually have power steering in the first place.

Hal1 · 03-09-2008 10:35pm

Hehe, ssSShhh!

peasant · 03-09-2008 10:37pm

OP ...get a bigger steering wheel

L-M · 03-09-2008 10:37pm

Hal1 wrote: »

Hehe, ssSShhh!

LOL!

VH · 03-09-2008 10:39pm

peasant wrote: »

OP ...get a bigger steering wheel

or take off the steering wheel and just use a vise grips - like a real man would:pac:

Gary ITR · 03-09-2008 10:42pm

Hal1 wrote: »

Hehe, ssSShhh!

LOL

L1011 · 03-09-2008 10:43pm

ianobrien wrote: »

I drive a couple of cars without power steering, and it's much easier to turn the wheel if the car's moving. If you are reversing out of a space, for example, have the car moving slowly as you turn the wheel. It'll be much easier!

You're also not mashing the tyres as much - this is why its easier to turn the wheel but its also better for the tyres in the long term.

As goes going to get it fixed -

:D

Biro · 04-09-2008 10:04am

Darragh29 wrote: »

It's only a power steering prob. Get it diagnosed first! I got my mate with the same problem sorted out last week for 20 Euro. Granted, I didn't charge him labour, just a burst pipe from the power steering pump to the steering rack imput port, but easily resolved. Get it professionally diagnosed first, that shouldn't cost too much...

I'll diagnose the problem for €50!
"Here's your problem right here... you see that what I'm pointing to?"
"No..."
"That's cause there's nothing there! That's where the powersteering pump would reside if the car had power steering!"

S.I.R · 04-09-2008 10:05am

Redpunto wrote: »

Just bought 97 VW polo for €1000 but it doesnt have power steering,,,its in a lovely condition though with new tyres, gearbox,just passed NCT. Would it be worth trading in for one with power steering, trying to park is a fecker, or will I get used to not having the power there, would one of the same year with power steering cost much more...thanks

lift the handbrake and get 'er in ??

if not , its a good workout, better then a gym anyways !

L-M · 04-09-2008 3:31pm

Biro wrote: »

I'll diagnose the problem for €50!
"Here's your problem right here... you see that what I'm pointing to?"
"No..."
"That's cause there's nothing there! That's where the powersteering pump would reside if the car had power steering!"

PMSL!:D

I think we should stop until Darragh comes back to defend himself

Mr.David · 04-09-2008 3:55pm

VH wrote: »

have a read of this - they claim that tyres should be inflated to max - and theyre the police!

That guy in the article is talking out of his A hole! Over inflating tyres most certainly DOES reduce contact patch and distort the shape (despite the belt in the tyre). It also wears tyres more quickly, harshens the ride and makes you more susceptible to a puncture. Critically though, TRACTION is reduced and on the limit handling can become unpredictable due to the lack of sidewall compliance.

I have data from the 'Ring for analysing tyre pressure vs. lateral distortion, contact patch area etc and hence can state that this is 100% true. Some redneck idiot copper driving hick SUVs on two wheels is not to be trusted!!

It is advisable to keep your tyres to the recommended (or over by 10%) pressures. Better to (slightly) over inflate than under inflate. But not to the max level quoted on the sidewall.

Max_Damage · 04-09-2008 4:06pm

For Christ sake, it's not a truck you're driving. :rolleyes:

Redpunto · 04-09-2008 4:52pm

Max_Damage wrote: »

For Christ sake, it's not a truck you're driving. :rolleyes:

i f*ckin know that but its f*ckin hard to park OK!!!!!:D anyhows, as LAADDDYYYYYY I think Im entitled to find it a bit difficult.

Thanks everyone for the replies, Feel lilke a complete muppet when im trying to park but gonna give it a couple of weeks and see how we go:)

Graham_B18C · 04-09-2008 5:16pm

I was drivin a ibiza two years ago and there's no gettin use to turnin the wheel while stationary! Its bloody hard work on the arms!!! I know you're not supposed to turn the wheel while stationary but ya know!

Guy:Incognito · 04-09-2008 5:27pm

Limerick-man wrote: »

PMSL!:D

I think we should stop until Darragh comes back to defend himself

You might be waiting. I'd say he's giving the thread a wide berth.

L-M · 04-09-2008 7:21pm

Stekelly wrote: »

You might be waiting. I'd say he's giving the thread a wide berth.

Lol, not the first time either.

Esel · 04-09-2008 8:24pm

ianobrien wrote: »

I drive a couple of cars without power steering, and it's much easier to turn the wheel if the car's moving.

Grahamo999 wrote: »

I was drivin a ibiza two years ago and there's no gettin use to turnin the wheel while stationary! Its bloody hard work on the arms!!! I know you're not supposed to turn the wheel while stationary but ya know!

This is the advice you need to heed.

Do not try to turn the wheels when the car is stationary. Even when moving at a snail's pace, they will be much easier to turn.

VH · 04-09-2008 8:34pm

Mr.David wrote: »

That guy in the article is talking out of his A hole! Over inflating tyres most certainly DOES reduce contact patch and distort the shape (despite the belt in the tyre). It also wears tyres more quickly, harshens the ride and makes you more susceptible to a puncture. Critically though, TRACTION is reduced and on the limit handling can become unpredictable due to the lack of sidewall compliance.

I have data from the 'Ring for analysing tyre pressure vs. lateral distortion, contact patch area etc and hence can state that this is 100% true. Some redneck idiot copper driving hick SUVs on two wheels is not to be trusted!!

It is advisable to keep your tyres to the recommended (or over by 10%) pressures. Better to (slightly) over inflate than under inflate. But not to the max level quoted on the sidewall.

it's policy in several police depts - I'll let you tell them they're wrong

Eoin · 04-09-2008 9:32pm

Redpunto wrote: »

i f*ckin know that but its f*ckin hard to park OK!!!!!:D anyhows, as LAADDDYYYYYY I think Im entitled to find it a bit difficult.

Yeah, the polo is hard work with no power steering alright - certainly much harder than the equivalent micra. A friend of ours had one, and she never really found it getting any easier.

VW Polo - no power steering

Comments