Steering Gear Boot

Special tools and workshop equipment required

Hose Clamp Pliers VAG1275
Torque Wrench 1332 40-200Nm VAG1332
Torque Wrench 1332 Insert - Open Ring Wrench - 24mm VAG1332/11
Locking Pliers VAS6199

Boot, Removing

NOTE:

If bellows is faulty, moisture and dirt penetrates into steering gear. There must be a noticeable grease film present on steering rack in area of splines. If grease film is not present, steering gear must be replaced. Steering gear must also be replaced if there is corrosion or steering gear is damaged or worn out.

-- Turn steering wheel into straight ahead position.

-- Remove the wheel.

-- Clean outside of steering gear in area of bellows.

While Doing This, no Dirt Must Enter The Steering Gear Through The Faulty Bellows.

-- Mark position of nut -arrow 3- on tie rod.

Fig 1: Adjusting Toe At Front Axle

Courtesy of VOLKSWAGEN GROUP OF AMERICA, INC.

-- Loosen nut -arrow 3-, counter-holding at tie rod end -arrow 2-.

-- Loosen spring clamp -arrow 1- using Hose Clamp Pliers VAG1275 from bellows and slide onto tie rod.

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

-- Now twist tie rod out of tie rod end.

-- Pull off bellows with spring clamp from tie rod.

NOTE:

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.

Boot, Installing

CAUTION:

Do not lubricate the steering rack.

-- Turn steering wheel into straight ahead position.

-- Guide new clamp and bellows onto tie rod.

-- Install the tie rod up to the marking made during removal.

-- Tighten lock nut -3- to tightening specification, counterhold on tie rod end -2- while doing this.

Fig 2: Adjusting Toe At Front Axle

Courtesy of VOLKSWAGEN GROUP OF AMERICA, INC.

-- Slightly grease the sealing surface of the bellow to the tie rod with Grease G 052 168 A1 (from the repair kit, from Fuchs Renolit JP1619).

-- Slide bellows -2- onto tie rod -1- as depicted in the figure.

Fig 3: Identifying Boot And Tie Rod

Courtesy of VOLKSWAGEN GROUP OF AMERICA, INC.

-- Secure spring clamp on bellows using Hose Clamp Pliers VAG1275.

-- Slightly grease the sealing surface of the bellow to the steering gear housing with Grease G 052 168 A1 (from the repair kit, from Fuchs Renolit JP1619).

-- Push the boot all the way onto the steering gear housing.

-- Tighten new clamp using Locking Pliers VAS6199 to the extent depicted in the figure.

Fig 4: Identifying New Clamp Tightened

Courtesy of VOLKSWAGEN GROUP OF AMERICA, INC.

Install in reverse order of removal.

After the installation the vehicle must be measured.

-- Perform vehicle alignment, refer to VEHICLE ALIGNMENT PROCEDURE .

-- The boots have been exchanged, then perform a basic setting for the Steering Angle Sensor -G85- using the Vehicle Diagnostic Tester in "Guided Fault Finding".

-- Then perform basic setting of steering system using the Vehicle Diagnostic Tester in "Guided Fault Finding".

Tightening Specifications

Component	Tightening Specification
Tie rod end to tie rod	70 Nm