Tie Rod, Removing And Installing

Special tools and workshop equipment required

Torque Wrench 1332 40-200Nm: VAG1332
Torque Wrench Insert - Open Jaw : VAG1923
Puller - Ball Joint: T10187
Locking Pliers: VAS6199

Removing

-- Turn the steering wheel into straight ahead position.

-- Loosen the wheel bolts.

-- Raise the vehicle.

-- Remove the wheel.

-- Clean outside of steering gear in area of the boot.

-- Loosen the nut from the tie rod end, but do not remove it yet.

Fig 1: Identifying Nut Of Track Rod Ball Joint

Courtesy of VOLKSWAGEN GROUP OF AMERICA, INC.

CAUTION:

To protect the thread, screw the nut on the pin several turns.

-- Remove the tie rod end from the wheel bearing housing and remove the nut.

: T10187

-- Open the clamps and push back boot.

-- Turn the steering as follows:

- for the left tie rod, turn the steering to the left until stop

- for the right tie rod, turn the steering to the right until stop

-- Remove the tie rod.

Courtesy of VOLKSWAGEN GROUP OF AMERICA, INC.

: VAG1923
: VAG1332

NOTE:

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

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

Installing the Tie Rod

Install in reverse order of removal. Note the following:

CAUTION:

Do not lubricate the steering rack.

-- Make sure the correct tie rod end is installed on each side.

Courtesy of VOLKSWAGEN GROUP OF AMERICA, INC.

Left Tie Rod End
Right Tie Rod End

-- Turn the steering wheel into straight ahead position.

-- Guide new clamp and boot onto the tie rod.

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

Fig 2: Identifying Tie Rod Dimension

Courtesy of VOLKSWAGEN GROUP OF AMERICA, INC.

Dimension -a- = 373 ± 1 mm

-- Tighten the tie rod.

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: VAG1923
: VAG1332

-- Lightly grease the sealing surface of the boot to the tie rod with grease from the repair kit.

-- Slide the boot -2- onto the tie rod -1-, pay attention to correct position when doing this.

Fig 3: Identifying Boot And Tie Rod

Courtesy of VOLKSWAGEN GROUP OF AMERICA, INC.

-- Secure the spring clamp on the boot using : VAG1275A .

-- Lightly grease the sealing surface of the boot to the steering gear housing with grease from the repair kit.

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

-- Clamp the new clamp -1- using the : VAS6199 .

Courtesy of VOLKSWAGEN GROUP OF AMERICA, INC.

-- Clamp the ear of the clamp -arrow- until it is as shown.

-- Install the wheel and tighten.

-- Perform a vehicle alignment.

-- If both tie rods were replaced, then the basic setting for the Steering Angle Sensor -G85- must be performed. Refer to Vehicle Diagnostic Tester.

-- Then perform the basic setting for the steering. Refer to Vehicle Diagnostic Tester.

Tightening Specifications

Refer to OVERVIEW - STEERING GEAR
Refer to STEERING GEAR, SERVICING
Refer to WHEEL BOLTS TIGHTENING SPECIFICATION