Manual Steering Gear - Centering/Tie Rod Installation
85VW1 Applies To CONVERTIBLE, JETTARABBIT, PICKUP SCIROCCO 1978-84
Group
48
Subject
Manual Steering Gear Assembly
Part Identifier 4840
Key Points
^ Centering procedure/tie rod installation for replacement rubber-mounted steering gear C
Number
85-01
May 3, 1985
Since 1978, manual steering gear assemblies are rubber-mounted. Replacement rubber-mounted manual steering gear may have stamped steel and cast aluminum housing (same as original gear) or solid cast aluminum housing..
Steering gear, replacing (with stamped steel/cast aluminum housing)
Rack centering dimensions and tie rod installation measurements are different for each type of housing.
Note following procedures for centering each type of rack and installing tie rods.
Note
Replacement steering gears are supplied without tie rods.
FIGURE 1 - STEERING GEAR, CENTERING:
- set rack in center position
^ distance (a) on each side must be equal
FIGURE 2 - STEERING GEAR, INSTALLING TIE RODS:
(Stamped steel/cast aluminum housing)
- install right (passenger side) tie rod
- with rack centered, turn tie rod ball socket to attain dimension a (see chart below)
Note
Dimension a is measured from edge of large shoulder on tie rod ball socket to edge of stamped steel tube.
- tighten lock ring to 50 N-m (37 ft.lbs.)
- install left (driver side) tie rod
- with rack centered and right side adjusted to dimension a, turn left tie rod ball socket to attain dimension b = 69.0 mm (2.717 in.)
Note Dimension b is measured from edge of large shoulder on tie rod ball socket to first inside shoulder of cast aluminum housing.
- tighten lock ring to 50 N-m (37 ft.ls.b)
- check basic adjustment of left tie rod (see Repair Group 48)
- install steering gear assembly (see Repair Group 48)
- check and adjust toe if necessary
Steering gear, replacing (with solid cast aluminum housing)
FIGURE 3 - STEERING GEAR, CENTERING:
- set rack in center position
^ distance (a) on each side must be equal
Note
Dimension (a) on solid cast aluminum housing is measured from rack end to first inside shoulder in housing.
FIGURE 4 - STEERING GEAR, INSTALLING TIE RODS:
- install right (passenger side) tie rod
- with rack centered, turn tie rod ball socket to 67.0 mm (2.638 in.)
- tighten lock ring to 50 N-m (37 ft.lbs.)
- install left (driver side) tie rod
- with rack centered and right side correctly adjusted, turn left tie rod ball socket to attain 69.0 mm (2.717 in.) measurement
Note Specified dimensions apply to both automatic and manual transmissions.
Both distances are measured from edge of large shoulder on tie rod ball socket to first inside shoulder of cast aluminum housing.
- tighten lock ring to 50 N-m (37 ft.lbs.)
- check basic adjustment of left tie rod (see Repair Group 48)
- install steering gear assembly (see Repair Group 48)
- check and adjust toe if necessary