Basic faults of suspension and steering (VW Passat B5)

Warning: Before diagnosing a suspension or steering problem, check the tire pressure, check that there is no wheel drag, and that the vehicle has identical tires.

The car pulls to one side

• The tire is faulty
• Severe wear of suspension or steering components
• Front wheel alignment is incorrectly adjusted
• Damage to steering and suspension components in an accident

Wheel beating and vibration

• The front wheels are not balanced. The vibration can be felt on the steering wheel
• The rear wheels are unbalanced. This causes vibration to be transmitted to the entire vehicle
• Damage or deformation of wheels
• Damage or deformation of the tire
• Worn ball joints, bushings or steering or front suspension components
• Wheel mounting bolts are loose

Loud creaking sounds when braking and turning

• The shock absorbers are faulty
• The suspension spring is damaged or sagged, or the suspension components are faulty
• Damage to the anti-roll bar or its mounting elements

The car pulls in different directions

• Front wheel alignment is incorrectly adjusted
• Worn ball joints, bushings or steering or front suspension components
• The wheels are not balanced
• Tire damage
• Wheel mounting bolts have come loose
• The shock absorbers are faulty

Tight steering

• Steering ball joint or suspension ball joint is stuck
• Damaged or improperly adjusted auxiliary drive belt tension on power steering models
• Front wheel alignment is incorrectly adjusted
• The steering rod or steering gear is damaged

Play in the steering

• The elastic coupling of the steering shaft and steering gear is worn out
• The steering rod ball joints are worn out
• The steering gear is worn out
• Worn ball joints, bushings and steering or suspension components

Reduced power steering efficiency

The information is posted on this resource [VWManual.ru]

• Damaged or improperly adjusted auxiliary drive belt tension on power steering models
• Low power steering fluid level
• Hoses in the hydraulic power steering system are clogged
• The power steering pump is faulty
• The steering gear is faulty