Power Steering Line/Hose: Service and Repair

WM 489555 Replacing steering return line





Information: Replacing steering return line -1- refers to the return hose/return line assembly.

The steering return line -1- is fitted on the steering gear and also on the plug-in coupling (connection point) in the rear sill area.





Overview of hydraulic lines

1 - Steering return line
2 - Steering pressure line
3 - Line bracket

Preliminary work
1. Raise the vehicle.
2. Remove front underbody panel.
3. Remove underbody panels in the center (left side).





Lateral view of cover (above pressure and return lines)

Removing steering return line
1. Loosen return line (thicker line) at the connection point (plug-in coupling) -arrow- in the rear sill area on the left.





Plug-in coupling for pressure and return lines

1.1. Remove circlip -D- from return line (thicker line) -1-. Loosen plug-in coupling (screw on). When loosening, turn at the threaded joint -A- and counter at the hexagon on the plug-in coupling -B-.





Loosening plug-in coupling on return line

1.2. Collect hydraulic fluid in a container.
2. Loosen pressure and return lines at the steering gear. To do this, loosen the hexagon socket head bolt -arrow- and remove the retainer plate (with the front wheels turned in as required). Close off lines or use a collecting container.





Retainer plate

3. Open line bracket -arrow-, unclip return line and remove it.





Line bracket

Installing steering return line
1. Insert new return line in vehicle. Do not close line bracket yet near the connection point for the rear sill area on the left.
2. Fit (attach) return line -1- at the connection point.





Fitting return line

2.1. Before inserting the return line, remove the holder collar and screws, which are no longer required, from the connector on the rear return line.





Attaching return line

2.2. Check that the plug-in coupling is engaged correctly using special tool test tool 9623. Insert special tool into the groove and check that the connector is seated correctly in the plug-in coupling by applying slight pressure. The connector must not slide out. The plug-in coupling is designed so that there is axial play of approx. 1 mm in the plug-in coupling.





Test tool 9623

2.3. Fit circlip -D-.





Fitting circlip

3. Fit pressure and return lines at the steering gear -arrow-.





Retainer plate

4. Close all line brackets (retaining clips) and fit the spacers (clips) between the pressure and return line. Check the positioning of the steering lines once again and adjust them if necessary.

Subsequent work
1. Fill steering hydraulics with new Pentosin and bleed the steering system.





Checking steering fluid level

2. Fit underbody panels.