Tie Rod: Service and Repair

Tie Rod

Special tools, testers and auxiliary items required

• Ball joint puller (3287 A)

• Hose clamp pliers (V.A.G 1275)

• Torque wrench (V.A.G 1332)

• 38 mm open end wrench insert (V.A.G 1923)

• Locking pliers (VAS 6199)

• Vehicle Diagnosis, Testing and Information System (VAS 5051B)

Removing

- Turn steering wheel into straight ahead position.

- Clean outside of steering gear in area of boots.

- Loosen nut - 3 -, counterhold on tie rod end - 2 - while doing this.





- Remove front wheel.

- Loosen nut of track rod ball joint, but do not unscrew yet.

• To protect thread, screw nut on pin a few turns.

- Press off track rod ball joint from wheel bearing housing using (3287 A) and now unscrew nut.





- Loosen spring clamp using (V.A.G 1275) from bellows and slide onto tie rod.

- Remove clamp and pull off bellows from steering gear housing.

- Remove the tie rod from steering gear using (V.A.G 1923).





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

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

Installing

• Do not lubricate the steering rack.


Do not use other grease under any circumstances.

- Turn steering wheel into straight ahead position.

- Guide new clamp and bellows onto tie rod.

- Twist tie rod far enough into tie rod end until dimension - a - is obtained.





Dimension - a - = 371 ± 1 mm

- Twist tie rod into steering gear and tighten to tightening specification.

- Slightly grease the sealing surface of the bellow to the tie rod with grease (G 052 168 A1) (from the repair kit).

- Position boot - 2 - on tie rod - 1 -.





- Secure spring clamp on bellows using (V.A.G 1275).

- Slightly grease the sealing surface of the bellow to the steering gear housing with grease (G 052 168 A1) (from the repair kit).

- Slide bellows onto steering gear housing until it stops.

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





Further installation is in the reverse sequence to removal.

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

After the installation the vehicle must be measured.

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

- Perform adaptation for Steering Angle Sensor (G85) with the (VAS 5051B).

- Then perform steering system adaptation with the (VAS 5051B).

Tightening Specifications