Why would I have such a scary steering issue?

[srgtlord]

Before I retired my 1987 golf it had a very scary steering issue. On turning to the left at speeds over 40mph it would abrubtly snap to the right. Front shocks were completly new, new tierod ends, balljoints, steering rack had no detectable play. I also had recently jerry rigged the right rear shock tower with 1/4inch angle iron with the metal running from the top of the tower to the bottom.  so it would not just pop off on me. So.... DO you think that the over stiffening of the rear shock tower caused this scary issue?

[theman53]

Maybe it did as that causes weird issues when the shock rates are not the same front to rear.

If you have power steering I would guess something there is amiss. Don't drive in the snow like that.

[srgtlord]

Im not driving that thing anywhere, its been sitting for close to 4 months   

[burn_your_money]

What snapped right? The wheel, the car or everything?

[srgtlord]

It felt like the car itself moved right even with the wheel turned to the left. There was no jerking from the steering wheel when this happened.

[TylerDurden]

When I purchased my 86 Jetta it had at least one blown rear shock - IIRC the left was particularly bad, hopping quite a bit. Taking it home, driving straight, at highway speed, the car would jump to the right when crossing the expansion joints on every overpass.

Why did you mod the rear shock tower?

[rs899]

I sometimes do my own front end alignments.  Sometimes it's trial and error.  Once I had the thing way toed out and got that kind of response ( and worn tires quickly).  Also have done it when the camber was way off ( you may not be able to do this in your MK2)

[srgtlord]

I moded the rear shock tower because after grinding away a small rust hole I found a large gaping rust hole. New sheet metal was riveted in as well as a healthy dose of bondo and the 1/4 angle iron strut brace. It was a nice band-aid until I was able to find another vehicle.

[TylerDurden]

If all seems good up front, the primary suspects are the rear suspension components, shocks being most likely. Poor contact by a rear tire can have dramatic effects.

The jump I was experiencing was not subtle...  It was a long three hours getting that car home.

[burn_your_money]

Very low tire pressure perhaps?

[srgtlord]

The reason why I ask is because as a long term goal I plan on welding up the holes with my new power mig and eventually driving it again. As a side note the rear shocks were still ok.

[TylerDurden]

Have you seen the car's tracking?  If the back wheels are askew & the car is dog-tracking, steering gets very interesting.

[srgtlord]

Not exactly sure about how to check this?

[TylerDurden]

I like to drive in a car behind the car being observed, or drive straight through a puddle onto a dry area and check the tracks.

An alignment $hop can also tell ya.

[mystery3]

After a good visual inspection for bent stuff and tire issues I'd take it to the alignment shop.