Volkswagen Golf Quiz
Running gear, axles, steering

Removing and installing steering rack, LHD vehicles, except for e-Golf

In this manual: Running gear, axles, steering
General body repairs, exterior — 230General body repairs, interior — 279General information, paint — 133Vechile- specific paint information — 27Heating, air conditioning — 156Auxiliary heater — 58Air conditioning system with refrigerant R134a — 1297- speed dual clutch gearbox 0CW — 544- cylinder injection engine(1.4 1 direct inction. turbocharger) — 182Fuel supply system - Petrol engines — 59Running gear, axles, steering — 221Brake system — 92Wheels and Tyres guide — 12Guide for using trailers — 11Wheels and Tyres Guide - General Information — 121Brake system (hybrid) — 73Electrical system — 326Communication — 65Electrical system, general information — 111
~4min read
Removing and installing steering rack, LHD vehicles, except for e-Golf

Special tools and workshop equipment required

Ball joint puller -T10187-

Torque wrench -V.A.G 1331-

Torque wrench -V.A.G 1332-

Engine and gearbox jack -V.A.G 1383 A-


Removing

  • Turn steering wheel to straight-ahead position and remove ignition key so that the steering lock engages.

Vehicles with keyless entry and start system “Keyless Access”

  • Switch off ignition and open driver's door so that the steering lock engages.

Only Golf GTE

  • De-energise high-voltage system → Rep. gr.93.

Continuation for all vehicles

  • Disconnect battery → Electrical system; Rep. gr.27.
  • Unscrew bolt -1- and fold footwell trim -2- in direction of arrow towards vehicle interior.
Removing and installing steering rack, LHD vehicles, except for e-Golf
  • Unscrew bolt -arrow- from universal joint -1- and pull off universal joint in -direction of arrow-.
Caution The following work must not be performed while the universal joint is separated from the steering rack:

Connect battery.

Switch on ignition.

Turn steering rack.

Turn steering column.

Not adhering to these instructions will result in irreparable damage.
  • Loosen wheel bolts.
  • Raise vehicle.
  • Remove wheels.
  • Remove lower noise insulation → General body repairs, exterior; Rep. gr.66.

Vehicles with natural gas engines
Removing and installing steering rack, LHD vehicles, except for e-Golf
  • Unclip natural gas line -1- from clip -arrow-.

Continuation for all vehicles
Removing and installing steering rack, LHD vehicles, except for e-Golf
  • Detach exhaust system bracket from subframe -arrows-.
Removing and installing steering rack, LHD vehicles, except for e-Golf
  • Unscrew bolts -1- for pendulum support.
Removing and installing steering rack, LHD vehicles, except for e-Golf
  • Unscrew nut -1- from coupling rod -3- on both sides.
  • Pull out coupling rod -3- from anti-roll bar -2- on left and right side.
Removing and installing steering rack, LHD vehicles, except for e-Golf
  • Remove nuts -arrows- on left and right sides of vehicle.
  • Pull swivel joint out of suspension link.
  • Loosen nut on track rod ball joint but do not remove completely.
Removing and installing steering rack, LHD vehicles, except for e-Golf
  • Using ball joint puller -T10187--1-, press track rod ball joint off wheel bearing housing, and unscrew nut.
Caution

Leave nut screwed on a few turns to protect thread on pin.

Vehicles with vehicle level sender
Removing and installing steering rack, LHD vehicles, except for e-Golf
  • Disconnect connector -1- on front left vehicle level sender -G78- and/or front right vehicle level sender -G289-, as applicable.

Continuation for all vehicles
Removing and installing steering rack, LHD vehicles, except for e-Golf
  • Disconnect connector -1- for oil level and oil temperature sender -G266-.
  • If fitted, disconnect connector -2- on continued coolant circulation pump -V51-. Open locking mechanism -3- in -direction of arrow-, and release connector.
Removing and installing steering rack, LHD vehicles, except for e-Golf
  • Pull wiring harness -3- clips -1- and -2- off subframe and steering rack.
Removing and installing steering rack, LHD vehicles, except for e-Golf
  • Remove bolts -1- for steering rack.
Removing and installing steering rack, LHD vehicles, except for e-Golf
  • Position engine and gearbox jack -V.A.G 1383 A--1- under subframe
  • Fixing subframe → Chapter and lowering approx. 10 cm.
Removing and installing steering rack, LHD vehicles, except for e-Golf
  • Unscrew bolts -arrows-, and remove heat shield -1- from steering rack.
Note Different heat shields -1- are installed depending on the engine. On some engines it is possible to access the connectors for the steering rack without removing the heat shield.
Removing and installing steering rack, LHD vehicles, except for e-Golf
  • Disconnect connectors -1- and -2- from steering rack.
Removing and installing steering rack, LHD vehicles, except for e-Golf
  • Unclip wiring harness -1- from steering rack -2--arrows-.
Removing and installing steering rack, LHD vehicles, except for e-Golf
  • Pull out spreader clip -arrow-.
  • Lower subframe with engine and gearbox jack -V.A.G 1383 A-.
  • Prise steering rack off subframe, for example with a large screwdriver, and remove to rear.
Removing and installing steering rack, LHD vehicles, except for e-Golf
  • Place steering rack on a surface as shown.

This prevents damage to control unit -1-.

Installing

Install in reverse order of removal, observing the following:

Threaded sleeves of steering rack must seat in holes in subframe.
Removing and installing steering rack, LHD vehicles, except for e-Golf
  • Plug in connectors -1- and -2- so that they engage audibly.
Note Coat seal on steering rack with suitable lubricant, e.g. soft soap, before installing steering rack. After fitting the steering rack to the drive shaft ensure that the seal is not kinked against the assembly plate on the steering rack. The opening to the footwell must seal correctly. Otherwise, this can result in water leaks and/or noise.

Ensure sealing surfaces are clean.
Removing and installing steering rack, LHD vehicles, except for e-Golf
  • Position steering rack -1- on subframe.
  • Threaded sleeves -2- of steering rack must be inserted in holes in subframe -arrow-.
Removing and installing steering rack, LHD vehicles, except for e-Golf
  • Screw in bolts -1- for steering rack, and tighten them.
Note

Ensure that bellows are not damaged or twisted.

  • Install lower noise insulation → General body repairs, exterior; Rep. gr.66.
Note

Ensure that bellows are not damaged or twisted.

  • Bolt universal joint to steering rack.
  • Connect battery → Electrical system; Rep. gr.27.
  • Carry out basic setting for steering angle sender -G85- using → Vehicle diagnostic tester.
If new steering rack has been installed, adapt electromechanical power steering using → Vehicle diagnostic tester.

Specified torques

→ Chapter „Assembly overview - lower suspension link, swivel joint“

→ Chapter „Assembly overview - subframe“

→ Chapter „Assembly overview - steering rack“

→ Chapter „Repairing steering rack“

→ Chapter „Torque settings for wheel bolts“

Bolts for pendulum support → Rep. gr.10.

Exhaust system to subframe → Rep. gr.26.

Bolts for noise insulation → General body repairs, exterior; Rep. gr.66.

If a crooked steering wheel is determined during the road test even though locating pins -T10486/1- were used, check wheel alignment. In this case the wheel alignment test results must be archived in the vehicle files.
Removing and installing steering rack, LHD vehicles, except for e-Golf

Test yourself

A quick Volkswagen Golf quiz: every answer comes with an explanation and a link to the manual page.