Losha, it's a complicated timeline. A couple months ago I started to sense that the front end was moving around, a little loose -- I wasn't even sure it was the car, I though maybe I was having a bit of a dizzy spell, which was worrisome. So I was actually relieved when I confirmed that it was the car and not me.
Okay, timeline..
August 7th installed new shocks and struts plus left wheel bearing.
September 6th, had to R&R transmission to replace 5th gear and flush out metal chips.
September 19th, steering, suspension, and motor mounts inspected
(not sure of date, but I had tires rotated and alignment checked)
September 21st, those Chinese axles were replaced by my original axles, newly rebuilt by Eric Merker
October 4th, timing belt installed and underside of vehicle inspected, steering rack (original) was leaking in two places and replacement was recommended.
October 10th, steering rack replaced along with tie rod ends and sway bar bushings
Then had alignment corrected again, this time by an expert; the first shop that did that, really screwed up the toe-in as there noticeable wear on the front tires after less than four weeks of driving.
Generally speaking, I don't sense any problems except when accelerating or decelerating; if I accelerate slightly at 50-60 mph, front end kind of surges to the left, but when I back off it moves back to the right. Everything seems fine when I'm using cruise control. Worst is during right-hand curves, left-hand curves are mostly fine, straight ahead is not as bad as it was a few weeks ago.
The brakes are okay -- about 85k miles on the front pads and rotors, about 75k miles on the rears. I thought it might be a motor mount, but that's been checked off. Clearly not the steering system, and most of the suspension parts are new or at least recent. I wondered about the transmission, in particular the differential, because of how it moved when I accelerated or decelerated, but experts tell me this isn't really possible.
I am getting ready to mount a set of winter tires; even though two different shops have done an alignment and one of them rotated the tires, I guess I still can't eliminate a tire problem since I don't know if I trust any of them.
I've spent quite a lot of money in the last couple months, but mostly it has been worth it for long-term reliability. If I could track down the source of this one problem, my Golf would basically be 100% mechanically. It's not as if I've thrown money away on suspension and steering parts, even it it's merely a tire problem.
But the springs are original, so if they need replacement then I will. (probably should have been done when the shocks and struts were done, though) But that raises an additional question -- the shocks and struts are Koni Reds, and I asked that they be set full-soft, but I was not able to watch the installation. What if the settings are not the same, left and right?
Lots to think about, I know, but I'd like to hear your thoughts.