Question 1

What precautions should be taken when disconnecting the battery and replacing the steering gear on Rack and Pinions on Volkswagen Jetta?

Accepted Answer

The battery should not be disconnected, otherwise, a number of systems will have to be re-teamed to have them continuing to work correctly. The steering gear is not repairable; in case it is old or broken, it should be changed. To do this, it is necessary to park the vehicle with the front wheels straight, use the parking brake, chock the rear wheels, loosen the front wheel bolts, lift the front of the vehicle and use jackstands to hold it firmly before removing both front wheels. Then take the battery out of the engine compartment, turn the steering wheel to the middle, and take out the ignition key to turn on the steering lock. Take out the driver side under-dash panel, fix the lower part of the steering column to the upper part, and take out the fasteners and the cover of the footwell, then the pinch bolt that attaches the universal joint to the input shaft of the steering gear. Disconnect the steering column universal joint to the steering gear input shaft and dislocation, and then disconnect the input shaft cover to the firewall to the vehicle when present. On models that have hydraulic power steering, empty the fluid out of the power steering fluid reservoir or empty it into a container when the hydraulic lines are disconnected. Install hose clamps in fluid lines entering and leaving steering gear making sure not to overstretch the hose. On all models, disassemble the bottom splash shield underneath the engine, heat shield fasteners and heat shield (where fitted) subframe, exhaust system bracket fasteners (subframe), the pendulum mount. Disassemble the lower control arms connecting to the balljoints, tie-rod ends to the steering knuckles, stabilizer bar links and stabilizer bar clamps fasteners. Take out the steering to subframe fixings. In the case of models that have an electro-mechanical steering gear, place a floor jack under the subframe, and loosen the bolts of the rear mounting and the bolts of the front mounting without any electrical wiring being pulled or stretched. Unscrew the steering gear heat shield fasteners and heat shield, unscrew the cable guide clip connection to the subframe, unscrew the electrical connector to the steering gear and unscrew the steering gear mounting bolts. Take your time when lowering the rear part of the subframe to the extent that you have the steering gear out of the subframe and out of the car. Install the steering gear on the subframe, fit the electrical connectors, match the steering gear mounting holes with the holes on the subframe, fit the mounting bolts and attach them to the correct torque. The installation process then becomes a reverse procedure to do the same thing of the removal making sure to reassemble the subframe, tie-rod ends, tighten the wheel bolts and then check and adjust the wheel alignment. When the model has a hydraulic steering gear, loosen the fittings, disconnect the steering gear supply and return lines, wipe down the connection points and remove any left over fluid in them into a container to be disposed of and then tie the lines back out of the operating place and seal the ends of the lines. Prop the subframe up with a floor jack, unscrew the rear mounting bolts, loosen the front mounting bolts, unscrew the steering gear mounting bolts, and keep on lowering the rear of the subframe until the steering gear is above the subframe and out of the vehicle, and there is not electrical wiring being strained. Install the steering gear on the subframe, position the steering gear mounting holes with the subframe holes, and mount steering gear-subframe mounting bolts, and tighten them up to the required torque. The rest of the installation process is a reverse of the uninstallation, it is important to make sure that the pressure and return line fittings are attached to the steering gear, the pressure line is tightened, the tie-rod ends are reconnected, the fluid level topped up, the system bled and the wheel bolts tightened, the wheel check and adjustment are checked and adjusted accordingly.

Question 2

How can adjustments to Rack and Pinions improve play in the steering gear on Volkswagen Transporter?

Accepted Answer

If play in the steering can be traced to the steering gear rather than wear in the linkage, certain adjustments can be made to improve the situation. For the worm and peg type steering gear used until 1972, adjustment is done via a screw in the cover held by a locknut, which, when turned inwards, reduces the clearance between the peg and the worm. Before making adjustments, ensure the swing lever fits snugly in the bushes; if worn, the unit must be removed and overhauled. To adjust, lift the front of the vehicle until both wheels are off the ground, then turn the adjusting screw until the steering wheel feels neither too loose nor too stiff, and lock it in place. Any play in the worm spindle bearings can be detected by observing the column coupling flange; if it moves up and down, end float adjustment is necessary, which requires removing the steering gear to adjust the shims under the end cover. The worm and peg steering gear is filled with SAE 90 oil, which typically does not need changing but can be checked and topped up through the plug at the top of the gear case cover. From August 1972, a worm and roller type gear was introduced, functioning similarly to the earlier type but with a roller replacing the peg, increasing contact area and reducing wear. Adjustment is similar, but clearance is measured by turning the steering wheel side to side with the front wheels raised; there should be no more than 15 mm of peripheral movement before resistance is felt. To adjust, separate the drag link from the drop arm for easier clearance judgment, turn the steering wheel slightly off-center, loosen the adjusting screw locknut, back off the screw, and then carefully screw the adjuster in while rocking the drop arm until no further backlash is felt. If excess play remains after adjustment, further slight adjustments may be made, but this indicates developing wear, and excessive wear in any part of the roller type steering gear necessitates complete unit replacement, as parts for overhaul and repair are unavailable. The worm and roller steering gear is oil-filled similarly to the earlier type and can be checked and topped up to the edge of the filler plug hole.

Genuine Volkswagen Rack and Pinions

87 Rack and Pinions found

Volkswagen Steering Gear Part Number: 3QF-423-051-D

Volkswagen Gear Assembly Part Number: 1HM-422-055-F

Volkswagen Steering Gear Part Number: 7B0-422-055-B

Volkswagen Steering Gear Part Number: 6K1-422-061-CX

Volkswagen Steering Gear Part Number: 7B0-422-055-F

Volkswagen Steering Gear Part Number: 535-422-061-C

Volkswagen Steering Gear Part Number: 3A1-422-061-BX

Volkswagen Steering Gear Part Number: 701-422-061-BX

Volkswagen Steering Gear Part Number: 1J1-422-075-SX

Volkswagen Steering Gear Part Number: 1H1-422-061-DX

Volkswagen Steering Gear Part Number: 3A1-422-061-EX

Volkswagen Steering Gear Part Number: 1K1-423-055-FX

Volkswagen Steering Gear Part Number: 1J1-422-075-EX

Volkswagen Steering Gear Part Number: 1J1-422-075-E

Volkswagen Steering Gear Part Number: 5QM-423-051-B

Volkswagen Steering Gear Part Number: 5C1-422-055-T

Volkswagen Steering Gear Part Number: 8D1-422-052-KX

Volkswagen Steering Gear Part Number: 5QM-423-051-C

Volkswagen Gear Assembly Part Number: 8D1-422-052-BX

Volkswagen Steering Gear Part Number: 1J1-422-075-S

Volkswagen Rack and Pinions

Volkswagen Rack and Pinions Parts and Q&A

Related Volkswagen Parts

Browse by Model