What did you do to your mk7 today?

[Cuzoe]

Well, I thought I took a picture when it was done but apparently not . New inner tie rods and boots on the new to me steering rack.

The rack is from an S3 so I'll run it as it is first. But I do also have data set for RS3, Golf R, GTI (DSG), GTI (manual), TT-S/RS so could play around a bit, although if I find something I like it's unlikely I will keep flashing... because laziness.

Anyway, if you have a rack with software 3Q0909144M 5082 these data sets will work for you. I also have this firmware so if you're on something earlier and want to flash up to this then you could try any of these data sets as well.

Not the right thread I guess but related so gets a mention... New Mk8 R LCAs, ball joints, outer tie rods. New front sway bar bushings as well. I don't have reason to believe they needed to be replaced but if the subframe is coming down it seems $20 well spent.

 

[Baun Performance]

Did a bunch of regular maintenance stuff for a local customer. He was in for FMIC & exhaust installation a month ago, along with a RSB & Dog bone insert. Had planned to do more that day, but not all the parts arrive in time so a follow up visit was needed.

Plugs, coils, BFI engine & transmission mounts, brake flush and DS2500 pads all around, plus a DSG service.

Outside of the Atlas video a few years back this was my first DSG service so I shot a little Short to point out some tips.

https://youtube.com/shorts/wyLYg74ukMQ?si=RW1Q5nJBUxU81gGT

 

[Track R]

springs and re-index the manifold body….

 

[ChristopherNeil]

springs and re-index the manifold body….

View attachment 325803View attachment 325804

Still dialing in the spring rates?

 

[EpicTech]

Those KW's are such a tease

 

[Track R]

Still dialing in the spring rates?

more less matching the wheel rate do to the motion ratio changed do to going from divorced to full coilover.

 

[Cuzoe]

Not today but close enough... "Quick/Dynamic/More-Better" steering rack retrofit.

I contemplated this some years back and never pulled the trigger (I'm Cuzoe over there too)...
https://forums.tdiclub.com/index.php?threads/mk-vii-dynamic-steering-retrofit.513098/

Then in 2023 this popped up on Drive2 which sort of confirmed everything...
https://www.drive2.ru/l/658799330890622397/

Then maybe the folks (or is just @DerHase?) at DataDrivenMQB did on an Alltrack and documented it...
https://www.datadrivenmqb.com/suspension/steeringrackretrofit

Blah blah blah! I don't have any pictures because we know what a subframe/steering rack look like, but went from 5Q0909144R Standard Golf rack to 3Q0909144M rack out of an S3.
- Replaced all the one-time use hardware, torqued as needed, final torque of control arms with suspension loaded.
- Replaced Whiteline KTA252 control arms with Mk8 R control arms. The left Whiteline was fine, the right side rear bushing was loosey goosey!!!
- Replaced bushings on the FSB, Neuspeed (also moved to the less stiff setting), not sure why I was ever on the other setting... I'm old spirited!
- New inner/outer tie-rods and ball joints... none of this was really needed, but figured if I'm in there why not.

Confirmed the dataset on the rack is from the S3 (no reason it would not be). Steering angle sensor calibration worked without issue. The coding on my 5Q0 rack is quite different so manually coded this. All the bits are described in VCDS though so no big deal. Changed the last thing to get lane assist working this morning. The difference in modes is dramatic (at least compared to the difference in modes on my original rack). Of course I have no idea how it compares to cars with this rack from factory (GTI/R/etc).

- Comfort is almost uncomfortably light. On the highway this would be nice but I think it might be too light for every day driving.
--- This is not ideal since I drive in Comfort mode 90% of the time, might have to play with driving profile dataset to put Steering in Normal even when selected mode is Comfort
- Normal feels about how I remember Sport feeling, although in fairness I rarely drive the car in Sport mode.
- Sport feels fantastic... good on center weight, loads up quite nicely... and only 1 rotation for full lock, B E A U tiful!

This has moved into the top 3 retrofits for me. I won't be one of the "this is how it should have come from the factory" things. The Golf is not a GTI/R and isn't marketed as such. But if you have a non GTI/R Golf, and a reason to drop the subframe this is worth it. Picked up this rack for $230 shipped on eBay. Or if you like to take your non GTI/R to the track or on spirited drives... maybe find a reason to drop the subframe. Door check straps are still top retrofit.

 

[DerHase]

Then maybe the folks (or is just @DerHase?) at DataDrivenMQB did on an Alltrack and documented it...
https://www.datadrivenmqb.com/suspension/steeringrackretrofit

Glad to hear the site is helpful It's just me btw (though with features from friends' cars and stealing their data for my own knowledge at times, like Rick's Alltrack).

 

[Cuzoe]

Glad to hear the site is helpful It's just me btw (though with features from friends' cars and stealing their data for my own knowledge at times, like Rick's Alltrack).

I think you posted it in the alltrack Facebook group. I may have been the one that made the comment that it was just coding for for the lane assist errors.

I think did aluminum subframe and some other suspension stuff mid 2020 and I was looking up something and saw that description of the GTI rack as dynamic. Did some research on the difference and could not determine any reason that it wouldn't work.

But I had just paid the labor for the subframe I couldn't find more info. Not to say it hadn't been done, I just couldn't find it. I even bought a used steering rack at one point (hoping it would convince me to do it) when I rotated the input shaft, with some pliers, it almost felt crunchy so it got tossed, and another couple years went by.

Anyway... In your data gathering have you messed with the torque steer compensation setting?

 

[DerHase]

I think you posted it in the alltrack Facebook group. I may have been the one that made the comment that it was just coding for for the lane assist errors.

I think did aluminum subframe and some other suspension stuff mid 2020 and I was looking up something and saw that description of the GTI rack as dynamic. Did some research on the difference and could not determine any reason that it wouldn't work.

But I had just paid the labor for the subframe I couldn't find more info. Not to say it hadn't been done, I just couldn't find it. I even bought a used steering rack at one point (hoping it would convince me to do it) when I rotated the input shaft, with some pliers, it almost felt crunchy so it got tossed, and another couple years went by.

Anyway... In your data gathering have you messed with the torque steer compensation setting?

I've not messed with that yet. Haven't actually heard of it til now. Never really felt like torque steer was a problem even with the IS38 and 200TW or R comps.

 

[Cuzoe]

I've not messed with that yet. Haven't actually heard of it til now. Never really felt like torque steer was a problem even with the IS38 and 200TW or R comps.

I don't recall seeing that setting on my original (much older, 5Q0) rack. It's also possible that the setting isn't there on every 3Q0 rack. It would be pretty neat if VAG providers change logs with software updates, haha. This rack has a longer coding string than my removed rack, although the last couple bites are all zeros and don't have any bit descriptions in VCDS, even in experimental.

I think the setting I left it on is "torque steer compensation by learned values" where the other setting was by set values (maybe) and then off. My TDI will never do GTI numbers and I would be surprised if I ever run anything 200TW. Being that I live in SoCal I am kind of tempted to go with some sort of soft summer tire just to see what it feels like... maybe next time!

Also installed CTS deadset kit. This is not likely anything that I really need and had and not found it on eBay for a hundred bucks it would not have happened.

And it's not because I don't think the CTS kit is worth the $230 or whatever normal price is. But because if I'm already spending more than I want on something I don't need it feels like I may as well go to the Tyrol kit with the ARP hardware .

 

[Nineeightyone]

I don't recall seeing that setting on my original (much older, 5Q0) rack. It's also possible that the setting isn't there on every 3Q0 rack. It would be pretty neat if VAG providers change logs with software updates, haha. This rack has a longer coding string than my removed rack, although the last couple bites are all zeros and don't have any bit descriptions in VCDS, even in experimental.

I think the setting I left it on is "torque steer compensation by learned values" where the other setting was by set values (maybe) and then off. My TDI will never do GTI numbers and I would be surprised if I ever run anything 200TW. Being that I live in SoCal I am kind of tempted to go with some sort of soft summer tire just to see what it feels like... maybe next time!

Also installed CTS deadset kit. This is not likely anything that I really need and had and not found it on eBay for a hundred bucks it would not have happened.

And it's not because I don't think the CTS kit is worth the $230 or whatever normal price is. But because if I'm already spending more than I want on something I don't need it feels like I may as well go to the Tyrol kit with the ARP hardware .

Sticky tires will change your whole life, not sure what tire you're on now but even something like the ECS02 as a 340 is a pretty solid choice. But let's be real, get yourself something like the RT660 (they heat cycle out faster than they wear but if you're doing longer drives that's fine, and they're cheaper) or the RE71RS if you want all the grip for some more cash, I left my 660s on for the summertime in my NA 2.5 Mazda3 and it was fantastic. All the confidence in the world of just being able to cook right through the turns without ever having to slow down because you're at the limitations of grip.

Also if you haven't played with it yet, straight ahead braking stabilization off + XDS soft has been a great experience for more aggressive driving. Less weird interference from the car and more behaving as one would expect. Appreciate the writeup though, this is going to make it tempting to hunt down an S3 rack

 

[ChristopherNeil]

Sticky tires will change your whole life, not sure what tire you're on now but even something like the ECS02 as a 340 is a pretty solid choice. But let's be real, get yourself something like the RT660 (they heat cycle out faster than they wear but if you're doing longer drives that's fine, and they're cheaper) or the RE71RS if you want all the grip for some more cash, I left my 660s on for the summertime in my NA 2.5 Mazda3 and it was fantastic. All the confidence in the world of just being able to cook right through the turns without ever having to slow down because you're at the limitations of grip.

Also if you haven't played with it yet, straight ahead braking stabilization off + XDS soft has been a great experience for more aggressive driving. Less weird interference from the car and more behaving as one would expect. Appreciate the writeup though, this is going to make it tempting to hunt down an S3 rack

I had RE71RS as my previous set. Sticky, but very stiff sidewall. Currently on pilot sport Cup 2. About as sticky as the A052, just as comfortable, and can drive through a puddle without white-knuckling it. Plus you get the sweet sidewall.

 

[Cuzoe]

@Nineeightyone & @ChristopherNeil that's enough .

I'm happy with my G-Force Comp 2 A/S Plus... or whatever they are, haha.

 

[Nineeightyone]

I had RE71RS as my previous set. Sticky, but very stiff sidewall. Currently on pilot sport Cup 2. About as sticky as the A052, just as comfortable, and can drive through a puddle without white-knuckling it. Plus you get the sweet sidewall.

I might actually look into them as a summer tire for the GTI, I just got RE71RS for it because autocross but if I could just 24/7 drive sticky tires and not buy a new set every 3 months that'd be cool (this is hyperbole but the feeling is the same)