Operation CHARM: Car repair manuals for everyone.

Electro-Mechanical Steering Gear Overview






Electro-Mechanical Steering Gear Overview

Always replace self-locking nuts and bolts.

Welding or straighten work on any steering components is not permissible.

Use only power steering gear grease to lubricate the steering rack (on the pinion side) and the ball paths (on the engine side). Note: there are different types of grease for the left and right. For the correct allocation, refer to the Parts Catalog.

The clamps - 1 and 8 - are tensioned to different tightening specifications.






1 Clamp

Always replace if removed.

Use the CV joint boot clamp tool to tensions the clamp. Refer to=> [ Tensioning the Inner Clamp ].

Do not open or bend the new clamp.

For the correct version, refer to the Parts Catalog

2 Tie Rod

100 Nm

Removing and installing, refer to => [ Tie Rod ] Tie Rod

Grease the joint with power steering gear grease

3 Electro-Mechanical Steering Gear

Removing and installing, refer to => [ Electro-Mechanical Steering Gear ] Electro-Mechanical Steering Gear

Grease the steering rack with power steering gear grease Note: there are different types of grease for the left and right. For the correct allocation, refer to the Parts Catalog.

Different versions, refer to the Parts Catalog

A removable heat shield mat was installed on the steering gear at the start of production. Be sure to install this mat if installing the old steering gear again.

A removable heat shield mat on the steering gear was replaced by a bonded heat shield mat as a running change. It is not necessary to take the mat from the old steering gear and installing on a new steering gear.

A replacement steering gear comes with the bonded heat shield mat.

4 Tie Rod End

Removing and installing, refer to => [ Tie Rod End ] Tie Rod End

Check dust caps for damage and correct seating

Check dimension, refer to => [ Tie Rod End Check Dimension ]

5 Nut

80 Nm

Counter hold on the tie rod end when loosening or tightening

6 Spring Clamp

Always replace if removed.

Spring clamp, installing => [ Boot Assembly ] Tie Rod

7 Boot

Check for damage

Always replace if removed.

Coat the inside of slits in the boot all the way around and evenly with power steering gear grease before installing. Refer to the Parts Catalog.

Check the boot seat on the steering gear housing for damage. The steering gear must be replaced if there is damage.

Must not be twisted when toe is being adjusted

Make sure it is installed correctly => [ Boot Assembly ] Tie Rod.

Replace, refer to => [ Boot, Replacing ] Boot, Replacing

8 Clamp

Always replace if removed.

Use the CV joint boot clamp tool to tensions the clamp. Refer to => [ Tensioning the Inner Clamp ].

Do not open or bend the new clamp.

For the correct version, refer to the Parts Catalog

9 Tie Rod

100 Nm

Removing and installing, refer to => [ Tie Rod ] Tie Rod

Grease the joint with power steering gear grease

10 Tie Rod End

Removing and installing, refer to => [ Tie Rod End ] Tie Rod End

Check dust caps for damage and correct seating

Check dimension, refer to => [ Tie Rod End Check Dimension ]

11 Lock Nut

80 Nm

Counter hold on the tie rod end when loosening or tightening

12 Spring Clamp

Always replace if removed.

Spring clamp, installing => [ Boot Assembly ] Tie Rod

13 Boot

Check for damage

Always replace if removed.

Coat the inside of slits in the boot all the way around and evenly with power steering gear grease before installing. Refer to the Parts Catalog.

Check the seat for the boot on the steering gear for damage before installing. If the steering gear housing is damaged, replace the steering gear.

Must not be twisted when toe is being adjusted

Make sure it is installed correctly => [ Boot Assembly ] Tie Rod.

Replace, refer to => [ Boot, Replacing ] Boot, Replacing

Tie Rod End Check Dimension





Place a steel ruler - 2 - on the tie rod end and push it all the way up to the edge - arrow - of the tie rod end - 1 -.

Replace the complete steering gear with the tie rod and tie rod end if the check dimension - a - is less than 188 mm.

Tensioning the Inner Clamp





- Mount the CV joint boot clamp tool - 1 - as illustrated. Make sure that the jaws of the clamp tool are seated in the corners - arrows - of the clamp.

- Tighten the clamp by turning the spindle using a torque wrench - 2 - (do not tilt the pliers).

Use torque wrench - 2 - with a 5 to 50 Nm range (for example, (V.A.G 1331) ).

Make sure the spindle threads on the pliers - 1 - move freely. Grease with MoS2 grease if necessary.

If the thread is tight for example dirty, the required tensioning force for the hose clamp will not be achieved in spite of correct torque specification settings.






Outer Boot Assembly






Dimension - a - 2 mm