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Adjusting power steering rack with new steering rack (TRW) — VW

Adjusting power steering rack with new steering rack (TRW) on VW: 14 steps. What to remove, in what order, and what to check after.

This is the bench adjustment of a new TRW power steering rack on VW cars with the platform codes listed below, done before the rack goes back in the car. The adjustment screw on these racks is sealed, so the first step is drilling a 5.1 mm hole at the centre mark on the reverse side, then cleaning it. With the rack centred by measuring the projection on both sides and the thrust piece and spring in place, the screw and lock nut go in until the markings align. A dial gauge with approx. 1 mm preload reads the deflection as the rack is turned stop to stop, the lock nut is tightened and the reading rechecked. The job finishes with a clip, seal and plug secured with a drop of locking fluid, then the track rods.

14 steps

🧭 Before you start

The rack is prepared on the bench: adjustment screw drilled at its centre mark and cleaned, rack centred by measuring the projection left and right, thrust piece and spring fitted. The adjustment screw and lock nut are set to the alignment marks, a dial gauge is zeroed with light preload and the rack is turned stop to stop while the deflection is read. After the lock nut is tightened the reading is checked again and the adjustment repeated if needed. The hole is then sealed with clip, seal and plug plus locking fluid, and the track rods are screwed on.

Fits: platform codes 1H1, 1H2

  • Special tools named: dial gauge

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  • Drill the adjustment screw only at the centre mark on its reverse side, 5.1 mm diameter.
  • Centre the rack by measuring projection on both sides before any dial gauge reading.
  • Dial gauge feeler must not stick and its face must not be rounded.
  • Fit the right-hand track rod hand tight before turning the rack stop to stop.
  • Recheck deflection after tightening the lock nut; repeat the adjustment if it changed.
  • Clip with seal first, then locking fluid in the bore, then the plug.

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

📋 Procedure

  1. Drill a 5.1 mm ∅ hole in the centre of the adjustment screw (centre mark on reverse side).
  2. Thoroughly clean adjustment screw.
  3. Centre steering rack (measure left and right-hand steering rack projection).
  4. Fit thrust piece and spring in housing, if not already fitted.
  5. Screw adjustment screw and lock nut into housing until markings align.
VW? Steps differ between engine variants — check this job against your exact car before you commit to it. Check my car — free →
  1. Attach dial gauge and set to "“0”" with approx. 1 mm preload. (Ensure that the dial gauge feeler does not stick and that its face is not rounded).
  2. Screw right-hand track rod onto steering rack and tighten hand tight.
  3. Turn steering rack radially from stop to stop, noting dial gauge indicator deflection.
  4. Tighten lock nut.
  5. Check indicator deflection again and, if necessary, repeat adjustment.
  6. Remove dial gauge.
  7. First insert clip (2) with seal (1) into hole.
  8. Apply a drop of locking fluidAMV 188 001 02 into clip bore (arrow) and press plug (3) into clip.
  9. Screw on track rods .

Other VW procedures

Who makes these pages, and how

TorqFix was built by a mechanic — after a 2,700 km drive with five roadside repairs that no diagnostic tool could explain.

The figures on this page come from manufacturer workshop documentation and are shown as they are. The page is assembled automatically from that data — it is not written by an AI. The AI works in the chat, where it answers for your specific car. It writes nothing here.

Variants of the same model differ. Cross-check torque against the factory manual for your engine before final tightening.

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Workshop data on this page last updated 20 Sep 2026.