Removal and Installation of Steering Tie Rod/Steering Tie Rod End

CAUTION

Use only original clamps for the boot. Open the clamps using cutting pliers.

Steering Tie Rods and Tie Rod Ends 1 – steering tie rod end. Left and right versions are available. 2 – lock nut, 50 N·m 3 – clamp 4 – boot 5 – clamp 6 – steering tie rod. Tighten to the toothed rack to 75 N·m. Hold the toothed rack on the flats with a wrench to prevent it from turning. 7 – clamp with rubber insert 8 – power steering gear. To remove, first lower the subframe (dealer service work).

Toe adjustment is made by turning the steering tie rods on both sides of the vehicle. Steering tie rod ends must have no play. Dust caps must not be damaged; otherwise they must be replaced immediately. The left and right steering tie rod ends have different bends. Pay attention to this.

CAUTION

when using replacement parts. REMOVAL

PROCEDURE

1. Mark the position of the respective front wheel relative to the hub with paint. This allows the balanced wheel to be installed in its original position during assembly. Loosen the wheel bolts with the vehicle on the ground. Raise the front of the vehicle, support it on stands and remove the front wheel.

2. Unscrew the steering tie rod end nut and turn it to the end of the thread. It serves as a support for the puller. –1– – ABS speed sensor connector.

3. Press the steering tie rod end pin out of the pitman arm using a conventional puller (A), for example Hazet.

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4. Unscrew the tie rod end lock nut –2–, refer to the illustration Steering Tie Rods and Tie Rod Ends.

5. Unscrew the steering tie rod end, counting the number of turns required for later installation.

6. Cut the clamps on the boot. Do not damage the boot.

7. Pull the protective boot as far outward as possible and unscrew the steering tie rod. The workshop uses special tool V.A.G-1332 together with 1332/ shown in the illustration for this.

5. A suitable open-end wrench may also be used.

CAUTION

Hold the toothed rack from turning using a 21 mm wrench on the flats.

INSTALLATION

PROCEDURE

1. Replace the steering tie rod or the tie rod end.

2. Screw the steering tie rod end on by the number of turns noted during removal and tighten the lock nut by hand.

3. Secure the steering tie rod to the steering gear with a torque of 75 Nm, holding it from turning with a wrench.

4. Install the protective boot in its working position. It must not be twisted under any circumstances, as shown in the illustration, and must not be damaged.

5. Secure the protective boot with new clamps. Tighten the clamps with pliers V.A.G 1275 or another suitable tool, such as HAZET 1847-

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6. Insert the steering tie rod into the swivel arm on the wheel bearing housing and tighten with a new self-locking nut to a torque of 45 Nm.

7. Tighten the steering tie rod end lock nut to a torque of 50 Nm.

8. Install the front wheel so that the marks made during removal line up. Before installation, apply a thin layer of bearing grease to the centering collar of the wheel disc on the hub. Do not grease the wheel bolts. Replace any rusted bolts. Install the bolts. Lower the vehicle onto its wheels and tighten the bolts in a crosswise sequence to a torque of 120 Nm.

9. Check the wheel alignment.