Electromechanical Steering Gear Boot, Removing And Installing: Installing

Installation is the reverse of removal, with special attention to the following:

Replace the boot each time it is removed.

Coat the inside of the joint boot seat all the way around and evenly with Power Steering Gear Grease before installing. Refer to the Parts information.

Check the seat for the boot on the steering gear for damage before installing. If the steering gear housing is damaged, replace the steering gear.

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

CAUTION:

Do not use other grease under any circumstances.

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.

Fig 1: Identifying Steering Rack Toothed Side -A-

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NOTE:

To grease the rack, only use Power Steering Gear Grease. Note: there are different types of grease for the left and right. For allocation. Refer to the Parts information.

-- Straighten the wheels.

-- Guide new clamp and boot onto tie rod.

-- Install the nut -1- and tie rod -3- up to the marking applied during removal.

Fig 2: Identifying Tie Rod End & Nut

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-- Tighten the nut -2- to the specification. Counterhold the tie rod end -3-. Slide the boot onto the steering gear housing with a new clamp.

-- Make sure the boot is seated correctly on the power steering gear.

-- The boot must fit in the groove and on the contour of the power steering gear.

Inner Clamp Assembly

-- Position the :VAG1682A as shown in illustration. When doing this, make sure that edges of clamping pliers are seated in corners -arrows- of clamp. Refer to Tensioning the Inner Clamp .

Fig 3: Clamping Pliers VAG1682A

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-- Tighten the clamp by turning the spindle using a torque wrench (do not tilt the pliers).

Tightening specification. Refer to Tensioning the Inner Clamp
Use torque wrench with 5 to 50 Nm range (for example, :VAG1331 ).
Make sure the spindle threads on the pliers -1- move freely. Grease with MoS₂ grease if necessary.
If the thread is tight, for example, dirty, the required tensioning force for the hose clamp will not be achieved in spite of correct torque specification settings.

-- Secure the spring clamp -3- on the boot -2- using the :VAG1921 .

Fig 4: Identifying Power Steering Gear Boot

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Outer Boot Assembly

Dimension -a- = 2 mm

Fig 5: Identifying Outer Boot Assembly Dimension -A-
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Installation is the reverse of removal, with special attention to the following:

-- Mount the front wheel. Refer to WHEELS AND TIRES .

-- Lower the vehicle onto its wheels. Refer to RAISING AND LOWERING WITH OPEN AND CLOSED AIR SUSPENSION SYSTEM .

-- An axle alignment may be required. Refer to EVALUATING NEED FOR AXLE ALIGNMENT .

The axle alignment must be performed on a VW/Audi approved alignment stand.