Tie Rod Ball Joint

Tie Rod Ball Joint

Special tools, testers and auxiliary items required

• Torque wrench (V.A.G 1332)

• Socket wrench 21 mm (V.A.G 1332/9)

Removing

Affects Vehicles with Air Suspension

- Place the vehicle on a hoist. Refer to => [ Positioning Vehicle on Hoist and Wheels ] Positioning Vehicle on Hoist and Wheels.

Affects All Vehicles

- Remove wheel trim cap, remove cover cap on light-alloy wheels (removal hook in vehicle tool kit).

- Remove the wheel.

- Remove bolt - 1 -.

- Remove hex head nut - 5 - and remove screw - 2 -.

• Do not widen the slits in the wheel bearing housing using a chisel or similar tool.

• Do not use a chisel or similar tool between the steering arm - 1 - and the tie rod ball joint sealing washer - 2 - when removing the tie rod or the sealing washer could be damaged.

• Tie rod may only be pressed off steering arm over tie rod ball joint pin ends or driven with a wooden or rubber hammer.

• Press the tie rod downward.

• Loosen hex head nut - 3 - and remove tie rod ball joint. Hex head - 4 - on tie rod aids in counterholding.

• Make sure that tie rod ball joint and clamp hole on wheel bearing housing are free of grease.

Installing

Install in reverse order of removal. Note the following:

- Screw tie rod ball joint onto tie rod to stop.

- Align tie rod so that tie rod ball joint pints are in installation location.

- Insert the tie rod end into the wheel bearing housing as far as the stop.

• Install the tie rod end by hand only into the wheel bearing housing - 1 -. Do not put stress on the tie rod end sealing washer - 2 -.

- Tighten the lock nut - 3 -. Use the (V.A.G 1332/9). When tightening, counterhold at tie rod hex head - 4 -.

- Insert the bolt - 2 - and tighten the nut - 5 -.

- Install the bolt - 1 - and tighten it.

- Mount wheel and tighten.

- Place vehicle on wheels. Refer to => [ Positioning Vehicle on Hoist and Wheels ] Positioning Vehicle on Hoist and Wheels.

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