help! replacing steering rack

**brilliantA418tQ** · 08-17-2008 11:07 AM

well I'm pretty sure my steering rack bit the big one on me yesterday. I'm looking for a a DIY thread or some sort of a write up on replacing one. The car is an '03 TQM and I would really appreciate any help u guys can give me.

**brilliantA418tQ** · 08-17-2008 03:42 PM

well i think i found something its for a B5 but it cant be much different http://www.audiworld.com/tech/misc-40.shtml

**akarol** · 08-17-2008 04:17 PM

After looking at the link... good luck!

**Wanted** · 08-17-2008 05:25 PM

It doesn't look to be too complex of replacement at all. Pretty straigtforward according to that link. I would say 5.5 banana out of 10 job even if you've never been that deep in a car before.

I think getting the car up on a set of ramps are going to be your best friend during the process.

Good luck.

What are the indicators that your steering went south on you?

**brilliantA418tQ** · 08-23-2008 03:58 PM

The indication was the fact that it wouldn't hold power steering fluid because of the leak on the passenger side. Work went well the only difference between the above DIY and what I had to do was I took out the three mount bolts in on the drivers side strut mount to give me a little more room otherwise I wouldn't have been able to get it out. If anyone has any other questions feel free to IM. This job was not that hard.

**Spirare** · 08-29-2008 10:10 AM

Originally Posted by Wanted

It doesn't look to be too complex of replacement at all. Pretty straigtforward according to that link. I would say 5.5 banana out of 10 job even if you've never been that deep in a car before.

I think getting the car up on a set of ramps are going to be your best friend during the process.

Good luck.

What are the indicators that your steering went south on you?

Ramps don't work for this job. You have to take the wheels and tie rod ends off/out. Jack stands all the way.

I also use the jack with a piece of 2x4 on it to push the tie rod ends back up into the steering knuckle.

I did this on my B5 and it's an easy enough job. The most difficult part is simply putting the banjo fittings back on the rack once it's installed. One arm through the wheel well, one arm through the bay from the bottom trying to put the washers and such on blind... it took me a long time to get it to go together.
I also advice pulling the coolant reservoir. Get as much light down there as possible.

The standard B5/B6 suspension advice prevails here:

Anti-seize on the pinch bolt when you replace it on the steering knuckle.

Anti-seize on the TRE stud.

When removing the tie rod end, loosen the retainer screw on top and tap it to start the stud coming out. I use a straight allen key to force it out (there is a hex head on the end of the stud). Use an Allen key to help maneuver the stud back into the knuckle for replacement

Always mark your tie rod ends with nail polish ON THE THREADS where they go into the rack before taking them out. This makes it easier to get them threaded back on to the right depth when you are done.

You WILL need an alignment when you are done. Sometimes you can change out TRE's without doing one if you are really lucky (or good I guess) but on this you will NEED an alignment ASAP.

Good luck.

**koolade9** · 07-06-2009 01:13 PM

Can someone confirm the location of the 3rd bolt holding the PS rack on from underneath? When looking at the DIY link, it's tough to verify the approx location, and I'm curious if the B6/7 has just 3, or more bolts? I'm trying to chase down this ellusive 'clunk' that pops up every now and again...

TIA

**alexza4** · 07-06-2009 01:39 PM

OP, the DIY on AW is just about identical to what needs to be done on B6. I did my rack using that DIY.

Look at post #5 on my thread for some comments to the DIY, use my tips and the replacement will be a breeze.

**alexza4** · 07-06-2009 01:49 PM

Originally Posted by koolade9

Can someone confirm the location of the 3rd bolt holding the PS rack on from underneath? When looking at the DIY link, it's tough to verify the approx location, and I'm curious if the B6/7 has just 3, or more bolts? I'm trying to chase down this ellusive 'clunk' that pops up every now and again...

TIA

It is three bolts on B, B6 and B7. Two at the top and one at the bottom. The one on the bottom is kinda of a pain to line up (that bolt is behind the steering gear on the rack), its pretty much a blind feel job if doing that bolt from the engine bay, you can see it if you get under the car but you will need a long ass extention with a swivel to get to it. i had better luck getting to it from the engine bay.

**koolade9** · 07-06-2009 03:36 PM

Originally Posted by alexza4

It is three bolts on B, B6 and B7. Two at the top and one at the bottom. The one on the bottom is kinda of a pain to line up (that bolt is behind the steering gear on the rack), its pretty much a blind feel job if doing that bolt from the engine bay, you can see it if you get under the car but you will need a long ass extention with a swivel to get to it. i had better luck getting to it from the engine bay.

Excellent! That's what I was lookin for, thanks