John, firstly I suggest that you check the condition of the king pin, bushes and friction damper which is a bronze plate squeezed between the spring and the top of the hub. These all can have a significant effect on the steering effort, dismantling will be required for a complete inspection, but this is not a long job.
The friction damper assembly should be lightly lubricated, but too much lube and you might get shimmy. Later cars, 2008 onwards I believe, used a ball thrust race to significantly reduce steering effort. This is not a straight swap as main spring length has to change too and shimmy will need controlling with a hydraulic steering damper, see later.
One of the other design features that causes the steering not being as light as it could be is that the rebound spring (under the hub) is often compressed thus rubbing on the underside of the hub as you turn the steering. Check yours, free length should be 86mm. The rebound spring can be cut so that it is just kissing the underside of the hub at static ride height, this will soften the ride and reduce steering effort, but will increase ride height by about 20mm.
As has been publicised a few times, the SUPLEX Front Suspension Refinement System will actually reduce steering effort as well as providing better ride and handling.
https://sites.google.com/site/morganatica/suspension/springs-progressive-rising-rateNB IF you do replace the steering friction damper it is often wise to also fit a hydraulic steering damper to control shimmy.
https://sites.google.com/site/morganatica/70-modifications/vw-hydraulic-steering-damperElectric PAS will no doubt reduce steering loads with your standard system, but it should be in good condition first.
I hope this helps - regards PJB.
I hope this helps.
