Volkswagen Workshop Service and Repair Manuals

Removing and installing steering box

Special tools and workshop equipment required

t	Ball joint puller -3287 A-

t	Torque wrench -V.A.G 1331-

t	Flared ring spanner tool insert AF 17 -V.A.G 1331/10-

t	Torque wrench -V.A.G 1332-

t	Engine and gearbox jack -V.A.G 1383 A-

Carry out the following work: Removing –  With ignition switched off, disconnect battery → Electrical system; Rep. gr.27.

–  Unscrew bolts -1- and remove footwell trim -2-.

–  Unscrew bolt -arrow- from universal joint -1- and pull off universal joint in -direction of arrow-. –  Loosen wheel bolts. –  Raise vehicle. –  Remove front wheels.

–  Remove nuts -arrows-. –  Pull swivel joint out of suspension link.

–  Loosen nut -1- on track rod end -2- but do not remove completely.   Caution Leave nut screwed on a few turns to protect thread on pin. –  Press track rod ball joint -2- off steering arm.

–  Remove hexagon nut -1- from coupling rod (left and right sides). –  Pull out coupling rod -3- from anti-roll bar -2- on left and right side.

–  Remove steering box bolts -arrows- from subframe. –  Fix position of subframe → Chapter. –  Lower subframe using engine and gearbox jack -V.A.G 1383 A-. –  Remove steering box towards the rear. Installing Install in reverse order. Note the following points: Steering rack must be moved to centre position before installing steering box.

–  Slide rack until dimension -a- is reached. Dimension -a- = 76.5 mm t  After fitting the steering box to the drive shaft ensure that the seal is not kinked against the assembly plate on the steering box. The opening to the footwell must seal correctly. Otherwise, this can result in water leaks and/or noise. t  Ensure sealing surface is clean. t  When renewing the steering box also install new bellows on the track rods. Before inserting subframe bolts, position steering box on subframe and insert bolts for steering box. –  Secure subframe → Chapter.

–  Bolt swivel joint to suspension link with new nuts -arrows-. Ensure that bellows are not damaged or twisted.

–  Bolt steering box to subframe -arrows-. –  Bolt track rod to steering arm.

–  Position universal joint -1- onto steering pinion. –  Insert new bolt -arrow- and tighten. –  Connect earth strap of battery → Electrical system; Rep. gr.27. –  Install wheels and tighten bolts or nuts → Chapter. After installation, position of steering wheel must be checked during road test. If steering wheel is not in straight-ahead position or if a new steering box was installed, front axle tracking must be checked and adjusted if necessary! –  Check toe adjustment → Chapter.

Specified torques

Component	Specified torque
Swivel joint to suspension link t  Use new bolts.	100 Nm
Steering box to subframe t  Use new bolts.	50 Nm + 180° further
Track rod to steering arm	20 Nm + 90° further
Universal joint to steering box t  Use new bolts.	20 Nm + 180° further