Table of contents: Removal ↓ Installation ↓
Steering rods and rod ends
Warning: Use only original protective cover clamps. Open clamps using cutting pliers.
- 1 - steering rod end. Left and right versions available.
- 2 - lock nut, 50 Nm
- 3 - clamp
- 4 - protective cover
- 5 - clamp
- 6 - steering rod. Fasten to the toothed rack with a torque of 75 Nm.
At the same time, hold the toothed rack by the flats with a wrench to prevent it from turning.
- 7 - clamp with rubber insert
- 8 - power steering mechanism. To remove it, first lower the unit beam (work of the service station).
The toe-in adjustment is performed by rotating the steering rods on both sides of the vehicle. The steering rod ends must not have any play. The dust caps must not be damaged, otherwise they must be replaced immediately. The steering rod ends on the right and left have different bends. Pay attention to this when using spare parts.
Removal
1. Mark the position of the corresponding front wheel relative to the hub with paint. This will allow the balanced wheel to be installed in its original position during assembly. Loosen the wheel mounting bolts with the car on the ground. Raise the front of the car, place it on stands and remove the front wheel.
2. Loosen the tie rod end mounting nut and screw it off to the end of the thread. It serves as a support for the puller. –1– – ABS speed sensor plug.
3. Press the steering rod end journal away from the swing arm using a standard puller (A), such as Hazet 779.
4. Loosen the lock nut –2– of the steering rod end, refer to the illustration Steering rods and rod ends.
5. Unscrew the steering rod end, counting the number of turns required for subsequent assembly.
6. Cut the clamps on the protective cover. Be careful not to damage the cover.
7. Remove the protective cover as far out as possible and unscrew the steering rod. The workshop uses the special tool VAG–1332 shown in the illustration for this, complete with 1332/5. A suitable spanner can also be used.
Warning: Hold the rack from turning using a 21mm spanner on the flats.
Installation
1. Replace the tie rod end or rod end.
2. Screw the steering rod end to the number of turns recorded during removal and secure by hand with a lock nut.
3. Tighten the steering rod to a torque of 75 Nm to the steering gear, holding it from turning with a wrench.
4. Install the protective cover in the working position. It should not be twisted in any way, as shown in the illustration, and should not be damaged.
5. Secure the protective cover with new clamps. Clamp the clamps with VAG 1275 pliers or another suitable tool, such as HAZET 1847–1.
6. Insert the steering rod into the swing arm on the wheel bearing housing and tighten with a new self-locking nut to a torque of 45 Nm.
7. Tighten the tie rod end lock nut to a torque of 50 Nm.
8. Install the front wheel so that the markings applied during removal match. Pre-lubricate the centering belt of the wheel disk on the hub with a thin layer of bearing grease. Do not lubricate the wheel mounting bolts. Replace rusty bolts. Tighten the bolts. Lower the car onto the wheels and tighten the bolts crosswise to 120 Nm.
9. Check the wheel alignment.