Safety Warning
DIY auto repair can cause serious injury, fire, or vehicle damage. These guides are for informational purposes only. Always follow OEM torque specs, wear PPE, and consult a certified mechanic if you are unsure. You are solely responsible for your safety.
Steering Gear
Special tools and workshop equipment required
- Ball Joint Puller 3287 A
- Torque Wrench 5-50 Nm V.A.G 1331
- Torque Wrench 40-200 Nm V.A.G 1332
- Engine/Transmission Jack V.A.G 1383 A
- Vehicle Diagnosis, Testing and Information System VAS 5051B
Removing
-- Disconnect battery. Refer to REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION .
-- Remove foot well trim, to do this remove nuts -arrows-.
-- Remove the bolt -1- and remove the universal joint -2- from the steering gear.
-- Remove the front wheels.
-- Loosen nut of track rod ball joint, but do not remove yet.
-- Press tie rod end off of wheel bearing housing using 3287 A.
-- Remove the lower noise insulation. Refer to Removal and Installation .
-- Remove the noise insulation, where applicable. Refer to Removal and Installation .
-- Remove the diagonal braces, if applicable. Refer to DIAGONAL BRACES .
-- Remove coupling rods from stabilizer.
-- Remove bolts -arrows-.
-- Remove the pendulum support from transmission, to do this remove bolts -14-.
-- Remove bracket for exhaust system from the subframe.
-- Remove the bolts -arrows- from the heat shield.
-- Remove the heat shield from the subframe.
-- Remove the bolts -3-, and -6- on the steering gear and -11-, and -16- on the stabilizer bar.
-- Secure subframe and brackets. Refer to SUBFRAME AND BRACKET, SECURING .
-- Place V.A.G 1383 A below subframe.
-- Place a block of wood -1-, for example, between V.A.G 1383 A and the subframe.
-- Loosen bolts -4 and 5- and lower subframe with brackets slightly. Observe electrical wires when doing this.
-- Remove heat shield -1- above exhaust system.
-- Remove bolts -arrows-.
-- Remove cable guide from subframe -arrow-.
-- Unclip all other cable mounting points on steering gear.
-- Disconnect all electrical connections from steering gear.
First remove the stabilizer bar from the subframe and then from the steering gear.
Installing
Install in reverse order of removal.
The steering gear threaded sleeves must be seated in the subframe holes.
Coat seal on steering gear with lubricant, for example soft soap, before installing steering gear.
After attaching steering gear to driveshaft, make sure that seal on steering gear is positioned to mounting plate without kinks and opening to foot well is sealed correctly. Ingress of water and/or noises may be the result.
Make sure sealing surfaces are clean.
Before fastening the bolts for subframe, position steering gear on subframe and fasten bolts for steering gear and stabilizer.
-- Attach the head shield to the steering gear.
-- Attach the subframe and brackets to the body. Refer to SUBFRAME .
-- Attach the steering gear to the subframe.
-- Connect the ball joint to the transverse link (bolts on old markings), tightening specification.
Use new bolts!
NO RELATED
Use the Manual With the Right Hardware
Pair factory procedures with proven DIY tools so the instructions are easier to execute.
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When to See a Mechanic
Stop DIY work and contact a certified mechanic immediately if any of the following apply:
- • You smell fuel, burning insulation, or see smoke.
- • Brakes feel soft, pull hard to one side, or make grinding noises.
- • The engine overheats, stalls repeatedly, or misfires under load.
- • You are missing required tools, torque specs, or safe lifting equipment.
- • You are not confident in the next step or safety outcome.