Tie Rod

Tie Rod

Special tools, testers and auxiliary items required

• Torque wrench (V.A.G 1332)

• Box end wrench insert (V.A.G 1923)

• Hose clamp pliers (V.A.G 1275)

• Locking pliers (VAS 6199)

• 24 mm open end wrench insert (V.A.G 1332/11)

• Ball joint puller (3287A)

Removing

- Turn steering wheel into straight ahead position.

- Clean outside of steering gear in area of boot.

- Loosen nut - 3 -, while doing this counter hold on tie rod end - 2 -.






- Loosen spring clamp - 1 - using (V.A.G 1275) from boot and slide onto tie rod.

- Loosen nut of track rod ball joint, but do not remove yet.

- Remove front wheel.

• To protect thread, screw nut on pin a few turns.

- Press off tie rod end from wheel bearing housing with (3287A) and then remove nut.






- Remove the clamp from the steering gear housing and the boot.

- Remove the tie rod from the steering rack with an (V.A.G 1923).






• Replace the steering gear if there is corrosion, damage or wear on the steering rack.

Installing

Before installing, coat the steering rack with the grease supplied in the repair set.

• Do not use other grease under any circumstances.

For this purpose, turn steering to stop toward both sides in succession.

For clearer illustration, steering gear has been removed in the illustration.

- Grease the steering rack on the toothed side - a - and on the thrust piece side with grease.






- Turn steering wheel into straight ahead position.

- Guide new clamp and boot onto tie rod.

- Twist tie rod far enough into tie rod end until dimension - a - is obtained.






Dimension - a - = 371 +/- 1 mm

- Tighten the locking nut hand-tight.

- Rotate tie rod in steering rack and tighten. Refer to => [ Steering Gear, Generation I ] Steering Gear, Generation I.

- Slide boot - 2 - onto tie rod - 1 -, pay attention to correct position when doing this.






- Coat the sealing surfaces on the steering gear housing/boot with the grease provided (G 052 168 A1).

- Slide boot onto steering gear housing until it stops.

- Tighten the new clamp with (VAS 6199) as illustrated.






Further installation is in the reverse sequence to removal.

Tightening specifications, refer to => [ Steering Gear Overview, Generation I ] Steering Gear Overview, Generation I.

After the installation the vehicle must be measured.

- Perform vehicle alignment. Refer to => [ Wheel Alignment ] Wheel Alignment.