Mechanical steering (VW Passat B4)

To remove, unscrew the bolt of the terminal connection of the universal joint of the lower steering shaft with the drive pinion of the steering gear. Sling the power unit with hoists. Remove the protective cover of the steering shaft from the seat on the steering gear housing. Using a universal puller for ball joints, disconnect the ball steering rods from the steering gear. Unscrew the bolts securing the engine suspension subframe. Slowly lower the power unit with hoists. In this case, the steering shaft should easily disconnect from the steering gear. Unscrew the four bolts securing the steering gear housing (Fig. 6-4). Remove the steering gear, moving it toward the rear of the car.



The steering gear is installed in the reverse order of removal, taking into account the following:

• connect the steering shaft to the steering gear, lifting the power unit with hoists;
• before installing the steering shaft protective cover, apply some anti-friction compound to its surface;
• tighten the bolts of the terminal connection of the universal joint of the steering shaft;
• after installing the steering mechanism, check and, if necessary, adjust the front wheel alignment angles and the position of the steering wheel.

(The original article is available on the website: «VWmanual.ru»)

Adjusting the clearance between the stop and the steering rack

Set the steering gear to the middle position corresponding to the straight-ahead position of the front wheels (Fig. 6-5). Tighten the rack stop adjusting bolt located on the steering gear housing by approximately 20°.



Check the operation of the steering control by test driving. In this case:

• if after turning the car the steering does not return to the center position automatically, loosen the rack stop adjusting screw slightly;
• if there is a gap between the rack and the stop, slightly tighten the rack stop adjusting bolt.

Adjusting the connection of the steering rods to the steering gear

When replacing the steering gear or steering rods, adjust the connection of the steering rods to the steering gear as follows.

Set the rack to the middle position so that the distance "A" between the shoulder of the steering gear housing and the end of the rack (Fig. 6-5) is the same on both sides.


Completely loosen the locknuts securing the steering rods to the rack.

Screw the steering rods into the rack holes so that the distance between the steering gear housing shoulder and the ball joint shoulder is 74 mm. Tighten the steering rod mounting locknuts.