Removing and installing steering rack, hydraulic steering — VW

🧭 Before you start

Lock the steering straight ahead, remove the footwell trim and universal joint bolt, and clamp the reservoir hoses. Raise the car, remove the wheels and noise insulation, release the exhaust, coupling rods, swivel joints and track rod ends, and unbolt the rack and pendulum support. Disconnect the pressure and return lines, lower the subframe on a jack and take the rack out to the rear. On refitting, insert the intermediate plate, tighten the suspension nuts in unladen state, refit the noise insulation and wheels.

Fits: platform codes A32, A33

Don't miss

• Wheel straight ahead and steering lock engaged before the universal joint comes off.
• Clamp the suction and return hoses at the reservoir to limit fluid loss.
• Leave the track rod nut on a few turns while pressing the ball joint off.
• Always fit the intermediate plate between subframe and body.
• Tighten the suspension nuts in unladen state.

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

📋 Procedure

1. Turn steering wheel to straight-ahead position and remove ignition key so that the steering lock engages.
2. Switch off ignition and open driver's door so that the steering lock engages.
3. Unscrew bolts (1) and remove footwell trim (2).
4. Unscrew bolt (arrow) from universal joint (1) and pull off universal joint in (direction of arrow).
5. Clamp off suction and return hoses at reservoir.

6. Loosen wheel bolts.
7. Raise vehicle.
8. Remove front wheels.
9. Remove lower noise insulation General body repairs, exterior66Noise insulation; Assembly overview - noise insulation.
10. Detach exhaust system bracket from subframe (arrows).
11. Loosen double clamp of exhaust system.
12. Remove hexagon nut (1) from coupling rod (3) (left and right sides).
13. Pull out coupling rod (3) from anti-roll bar (2) on left and right side.
14. Remove nuts (arrows) on left and right sides of vehicle.
15. Pull swivel joint out of suspension link.
16. Loosen nut on track rod ball joint but do not remove completely.
17. ⚠ Leave nut screwed on a few turns to protect thread on pin. — Push track rod ball joint off wheel bearing housing and remove nut.
18. Remove bolts (9) and (10) for steering rack.
19. Disconnect pendulum support from gearbox by removing bolts (11).
20. Fix position of subframe.
21. Disconnect pressure and return lines (1) from steering rack.
22. Position engine and gearbox jackV.A.G 1383 A(1) under subframe
23. Remove bolts (5) and (6) and lower subframe with engine and gearbox jackV.A.G 1383 A.
24. Take power steering rack out to rear.
25. Always make sure that intermediate plate (1) is inserted between subframe (2) and body.
26. Tighten nuts (arrows). [Note: Tighten nuts (arrows) in unladen state .]
27. Install noise insulation and tighten threaded connections. Specified torques General body repairs, exterior66Noise insulation; Assembly overview - noise insulation.
28. Install front wheels and tighten.

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