Removing and installing electro-mechanical steering rack — AUDI

🧭 Before you start

Centre and tape the steering wheel, lift the car and remove the front wheels. Press off the track rod ends, remove the noise insulation, lower the anti-roll bar and take out the cross brace. Separate the intermediate shaft, unplug both J500 connectors, remove the two bolts and take the rack out downwards. Refit the bolts, check the intermediate shaft is seated before tightening it, refit the anti-roll bar and cross brace, then check and adjust wheel alignment.

Fits: Audi A8 D4 (4H, 2010–2017)

• Special tools named: puller

Don't miss

• Tape the steering wheel straight ahead and do not turn it during the job.
• Leave the track rod end nut on a few turns while pressing the joint off.
• Never put the car on its wheels without the subframe, rack and cross brace correctly fitted.
• Pull on the intermediate shaft with its bolt hand-tight to confirm it is seated.
• Check and adjust wheel alignment after installation.

Written for this job from the workshop steps below · TorqFix editorial.

📋 Procedure

1. Turn wheels to straight ahead position.
2. Switch off ignition and remove ignition key.
3. To prevent unintentional turning, secure steering wheel in straight-ahead position with adhesive tape (arrow). [Note: Use adhesive tape that can be completely removed afterwards without leaving marks.Do not turn steering wheel while performing repair work, as otherwise airbag coil connector and return ring with slip ring F138 could be damaged.]
4. Position vehicle on lifting platform .
5. Remove front wheels .

6. Unscrew nut (1) on joint pin (2) of track rod ball joint until it is flush with end of thread. Counterhold if necessary when loosening. [Note: Leave nut screwed on a few turns to protect threads on joint pin.]
7. Press track rod ball joint off wheel bearing housing using ball joint puller T40010 A. Then remove nut. [Note: Make sure the two lever arms of the puller are parallel when maximum force is exerted; adjust as necessary.]
8. Remove noise insulation panels (1 and 2)General body repairs, exterior66Noise insulation; Removing and installing noise insulation.
9. Unscrew nuts (arrows) and lower anti-roll bar.
10. Remove cross brace .
11. ⚠ Risk of damage to running gear components.Never place the vehicle on its wheels if the subframe mounting, steering rack or subframe cross brace is not correctly installed! The vehicle must not be supported on the subframe or the subframe cross brace (e.g. using a trolley jack or similar)! — Remove bolt (arrow).
12. Pull intermediate steering shaft (1) off steering rack (2) and slide shaft together towards top.
13. Release retainer, press catch downwards and unplug electrical connector (1) for signal wires (CAN-BUS and terminal 15) at power steering control unit J500.
14. Unplug electrical connector (2) for voltage supply (terminal 30) at power steering control unit J500 (release retainer (arrow) and push catch downwards).
15. Remove bolts (1 and 2).
16. Push steering rack slightly to the side(arrow A) and take out from below (arrow B).
17. Screw in bolts (1 and 2) loosely at first, then tighten.
18. ⚠ With bolt (arrow) screwed in by hand, try to pull off intermediate steering shaft (1) to check that it is correctly seated. Then tighten bolt (arrow). — Install anti-roll bar .
19. Install cross brace .
20. Check and adjust wheel alignment .

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