Steering Column
Steering Column
The steering column is delivered only as a complete replacement part. Service is not possible.
Special tools, testers and auxiliary items required
• Torque wrench (5-50 Nm) (VAG 1331)
• Vehicle diagnostic, test and information system (VAS 5051A)
• Diagnostic cable (VAS 5051/5A)
The steering column is delivered only as a complete replacement part. Service is not possible.
Removing
- Remove the driver side airbag.
- Loosen the screw - 2 -.
- Remove the handle - 1 -.
3 Steering column trim
- Remove the steering wheel. Refer to => [ Steering Wheel with Airbag ] Steering Wheel with Airbag.
- Remove the steering column switch trim and the switch.
- Remove the driver side storage compartment.
- Place the vehicle on a hoist. Refer to => [ Positioning Vehicle on the Hoist and on its Wheels ] Positioning Vehicle on the Hoist and on its Wheels.
- Remove the wheel covers, remove the cover cap on light-alloy wheels (removal hook in vehicle tool kit).
- Remove the left front wheel.
- Secure the brake disc with a wheel bolt.
- Remove the left front wheel housing liner.
An assembly aid is required so that the upper and lower parts of the steering column do not pull apart when removing the steering gear.
If the upper and lower parts of the steering column are pulled too far apart or pushed too close together the splines separate.
There may be rattling later if the splines are not in their original installation position.
- Secure the universal joint - 2 - with a cable tie - A - to the steering column.
- Remove the nut - arrow - and fold the trim - 1 - upward.
- Fold the bulkhead boot - 1 - to the side.
- Remove the bolt - 2 - from the universal joint - 3 -.
• If the bulkhead boot is damaged, install a new one.
• Make sure that bulkhead boot is seated correctly.
• Disconnect the electrical connector - A -.
Vehicles with Electrical Height Adjustment
- Disconnect the electrical height adjustment connectors (2 connectors, behind instrument panel).
Continuation for All Vehicles
- Remove the steering column - 1 - bolts - arrows -.
- Remove the steering column.
Installing
Installation is the reverse of removal, with special attention to the following:
• If the vehicle receives a new lock set and a new identity, the steering column lock actuator (N360) (electronic steering column lock) can only be adapted once the access/start control module (J518) has learned the new identity. Otherwise, the electronic steering column lock can no longer learn if it is already adapted and it cannot be used.
New replacement steering columns are secured with transportation protection.
- Remove the transportation protection after installing the steering column.
- Place the steering column on the crossmember.
- Install all the bolts and tighten them by hand.
- Tighten the bolts.
Tightening Sequence
- Tighten the bolt - A -. Refer to - item 2 - in => [ Steering Column Assembly Overview ] Steering Column Assembly Overview.
- Tighten bolts - B and C -. Refer to - item 2 - in => [ Steering Column Assembly Overview ] Steering Column Assembly Overview.
- Lastly, tighten bolt - C -. Refer to - item 2 - in => [ Steering Column Assembly Overview ] Steering Column Assembly Overview.
- Install the universal joint to the steering gear pinion.
- Tighten the bolt - 2 - for the universal joint - 3 -. Refer to - item 4 - in => [ Steering Column Assembly Overview ] Steering Column Assembly Overview.
- Insert the bulkhead boot - 1 - in the bulkhead.
- Note the bulkhead boot installed position.
- The tip - 1 - of the bulkhead boot must face toward the pin - 2 -.
- Install the wheel housing liner.
- Mount the wheel and tighten.
- Place the vehicle on its wheels. Refer to => [ Positioning Vehicle on the Hoist and on its Wheels ] Positioning Vehicle on the Hoist and on its Wheels.
- Install the driver side stowage compartment.
- Install the steering column switch trim and the switch.
- Install the steering wheel. Refer to => [ Steering Wheel with Airbag ] Steering Wheel with Airbag.
- Install steering column adjustment lever.
- Install driver side airbag.
- The electric steering column lock, the steering angle sensor (G85) and the "basic setting" in the vehicle electrical system control module (J519) must be reprogrammed or adapted in the next step.
- Connect the (VAS 5051A) and select the function test using "Functions/Component selection". Refer to => [ VAS 5051, Connecting and Selecting Functions ] Level Control System.
Then
- "Chassis (Repair group 01; 34 - 65)"
- "Steering (repair group 48)"
- "Steering column network, functions"
- "Replace steering column"