Tie Rod Boot: Service and Repair

Tire Rod Boot

Special tools, testers and auxiliary items required

• Hose clamp pliers (VAG 1275)

• Torque wrench 40-200 Nm (VAG 1332)

• Tool insert AF24 (VAG 1332/11)

• Locking pliers (VAS 6199)

Removing

• If the boot is faulty, moisture and dirt penetrates into the steering gear. There must be a noticeable grease film present on the steering gear in the area of the splines. If the grease film is not present, the steering gear must be replaced. The steering gear must also be replaced if there is corrosion or the steering gear is damaged or worn out.

- Turn the steering wheel into the straight ahead position.

- Remove the wheel.

- Clean the outside of the steering gear in the area of the boots.

While doing this, no dirt must enter the steering gear through the faulty boots.

- Mark the position of the nut - 3 - on the tie rod.





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

- Loosen the spring clamp - 1 - using the (VAG 1275) from the boot and slide onto the tie rod.

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

- Now remove the tie rod from the tie rod end.

- Remove the boot with spring clamp from the tie rod.

• If corrosion, damage, wear out or first signs of contamination on the steering gear can be seen, the complete steering gear must be replaced.

• If no grease film is visible on the steering gear, the steering gear must also be replaced completely.

Installing

Before installing, the steering gear must be lubricated with grease (G 052 192 A1) supplied in repair set.

CAUTION!
Do not use other grease under any circumstances.

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

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

- Remove the clamp on the other side of the steering gear and remove the boot from the steering gear housing.

- Grease the steering gear on the toothed side - A - and on the thrust piece side with grease (G 052 192 A1).





- Turn the steering wheel into the straight ahead position.

- Guide the new clamp and boot onto the tie rod.

- Install the tie rod until the marking applied during removal is reached.

- Tighten the lock nut - 3 - to specification, counter hold on the tie rod end - 2 - while doing this.





- Slide the boot - 2 - onto the tie rod - 1 - as depicted in the illustration.





- Secure the spring clamp on the boot using (VAG 1275).

- Push the boot all the way onto the steering gear housing.

- Tighten the new clamp using (VAS 6199) to the extent depicted in the illustration.





Further installation is in the reverse sequence of removal.

Tightening specification for wheel mounting. Refer to --> [ Wheel Bolt Tightening Specification ].

After the installation the vehicle must be measured.

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

- Perform adaptation for the steering angle sensor using the --> vehicle diagnosis, testing and information system (VAS 5051B), "Guided Fault Finding".

- Then perform the steering system adaptation using the --> vehicle diagnosis, testing and information system (VAS 5051B), "Guided Fault Finding".

Tightening Specifications