Steering Gear, Generation I: Boot

Special tools and workshop equipment required 

• Locking Pliers VAS 6199
• Torque Wrench 40-200 Nm V.A.G 1332
• Hose Clamp Pliers V.A.G 1275
• 24 mm Open End Wrench Insert V.A.G 1332/11

Removing 

-- Turn the steering wheel into straight ahead position.

-- Remove the wheel.

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

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

-- Loosen nut -3-, while doing this counter hold on tie rod end -2-.

-- Loosen spring clamp -1- using V.A.G 1275 from boot and slide onto tie rod.

-- Remove the clamp from the steering gear housing and the boot.

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

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

Installing 

Before installing, coat the steering rack with the grease supplied in the repair set.

For this purpose, turn steering to stop toward both sides in succession.

For clearer illustration, steering gear has been removed in the illustration.

-- Grease the steering rack on the toothed side -a- and on the thrust piece side with grease.

-- Turn steering wheel into straight ahead position.

-- Coat the sealing surfaces on the steering gear housing/boot with the grease provided G 052 168 A1.

-- Guide new clamp and boot onto tie rod.

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

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

-- Slide boot -2- onto tie rod -1- as depicted in the illustration.

-- Secure spring clamp on boot using V.A.G 1275.

-- Slide boot onto steering gear housing.

-- Tighten the new clamp with VAS 6199 as illustrated.

Further installation is in the reverse sequence to removal.

Tightening specifications, refer to STEERING GEAR OVERVIEW, GENERATION I .

After the installation the vehicle must be measured.

-- Perform vehicle alignment. Refer to WHEEL ALIGNMENT .