Steering Gear, Removing And Installing: Removing

The following describes for example the removing and installing on the left side of the vehicle

-- Turn the steering wheel in the straight position and remove the ignition key so that the steering wheel lock engages.

-- Switch the ignition off and open the driver door so the steering wheel lock engages.

-- Disconnect the battery. Refer to BATTERY, DISCONNECTING AND CONNECTING .

-- Remove the driver side instrument panel cover. Refer to DRIVER SIDE INSTRUMENT PANEL COVER, REMOVING AND INSTALLING .

-- Fold back the carpet.

-- Remove the bolt -arrow- from the universal joint -1-, and then remove the universal joint in the -direction of the arrow-.

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CAUTION:

Damage to the steering gear due to incorrect procedure. If the universal joint is separated from the steering gear do not perform the following procedures:

- Connect the battery.

- Activate drive ready mode.

- Turn the steering gear.

- Turn the steering column.

-- Loosen the wheel bolts.

-- Raise the vehicle.

-- Remove the wheels.

-- Remove the lower noise insulation. Refer to OVERVIEW - NOISE INSULATION .

-- Remove the exhaust system bracket from the subframe -arrows-.

Fig 1: Identifying Exhaust System Bracket (Suspended Mount) Bolts

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-- Remove the pendulum support bolts -1-.

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-- Remove the hex nut -1- from the right and left coupling rod -3-.

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-- Remove the coupling rod -3- from the stabilizer bar -2- on the left and right sides.

-- Remove the nuts -arrows- on the left and right side of the vehicle.

Fig 2: Identifying Nuts -Arrows- On Left And Right Side Of Vehicle, Removal

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-- Remove the control arm from the ball joint.

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

Fig 3: Identifying Nut Of Track Rod Ball Joint

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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.

Puller - Ball Joint:T10187

Vehicles with Level Control System Sensor

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-- Disconnect the connector -1- from the Left Front Level Control System Sensor -G78- or Right Front Level Control Sensor -G289-.

Continuation for all vehicles

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-- If equipped, disconnect the connector -1- for the Oil Level Thermal Sensor -G266-.

-- If equipped, disconnect the connector -2- from the After-Run Coolant Pump -V51-. To do so, open the catch -3- in the -direction of the arrow- and release the connector.

-- Remove the clips -1- and -2- for the wiring harness -3- from the subframe and the steering gear.

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-- Remove the steering gear bolts -1-.

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-- Position the Engine and Gearbox Jack:VAS 6931 -1- under the subframe.

Fig 4: Identifying Engine/Gearbox Jack

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-- Secure the subframe (refer to SUBFRAME, SECURING ) and lower it approximately 10 cm.

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Vehicles with Long Heat Shield

-- Remove the bolts -arrows- and remove the heat shield -1- from the steering gear.

NOTE:

Different heat shields -1- are installed depending on the engine. On some engine versions, the connectors for the steering gear are accessible without having to remove the heat shield.

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-- Disconnect the connectors -1- and -2- from the steering gear.

-- Unclip the wiring harness -1- from the steering gear -2- -arrows-.

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-- Remove the expanding clip -arrow-.

-- Lower the subframe with the Engine and Gearbox Jack:VAS 6931 .

-- Pry the steering gear off of the subframe, for example, using a large screwdriver and remove it toward the rear.

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-- Set the steering gear down as shown.

Avoid damage to the control module -1-.