Steering Gear: Service and Repair
WM 489019 Removing and installing power-steering gear
Preliminary work
1. Raise the vehicle -> 400000 Lifting the vehicle.
2. Remove front wheels -> 440519 Removing and installing wheel Removal and Replacement.
3. Remove front underbody panelling -> 519219 Removing and installing front cover 519219 Removing and installing Cover For Front Underbody.
General warning notes
CAUTION
Increased risk of accidents if too much Pentosin is used or if Pentosin comes into contact with the coolant hoses when filling or topping up.
- Possible danger of injury or damage.
-> Multiple steering operations (manoeuvring) with the engine switched off change the fluid level in the reservoir. In this case, the engine must be running immediately prior to the fluid level check.
-> If coolant hoses come into contact with Pentosin, clean them thoroughly with water IMMEDIATELY.
-> Replace visibly swollen coolant hoses.
Information
- Before the feed and return lines are loosened, place a suitable container underneath to collect steering fluid.
- Wear protective goggles and gloves.
Installation
Installing power-steering gear
Information
When topping up or filling in Pentosin, make sure that it does not come into contact with the coolant hoses. Observe the specifications in order to avoid overfilling, and thus overflowing.
- If coolant hoses come into contact with Pentosin, clean them thoroughly with water IMMEDIATELY.
- Replace visibly swollen coolant hoses.
- Tighten all threaded connections to the specified tightening torque.
Install in reverse order. It is essential to observe the following points while doing so:
- Replace steering-gear fastening screws, the fit bolt on the steering shaft and the steering-wheel fastening screw whenever they have been removed. Screw threads must be clean and free of grease.
- Make sure that the steering rack is not damaged (scored).
- Fit the tie rods on the steering rack before installing the steering gear. Then secure the respective bellows with new clamping rings => Tie rod on steering gear.
Tie rod on steering gear
- Fix steering gear in place on the front-axle carrier using the two fastening screws (for ease of assembly, just insert fastening screws). Position red plastic clip on steering-gear pinion and join universal joint (steering shaft) to the steering gear at the correct position - steering gear and steering wheel or airbag contact unit (spring) in centre position.
The plastic clip ensures that the fastening screw between the universal joint and steering pinion sits into the groove on the steering pinion.
Universal joint for steering gear
- Observe following notes for sliding piece and airbag contact unit!
Notes for sliding piece and airbag contact unit
1. If the sliding piece -1- was pulled off the steering shaft -4- , the notch -2- must point towards the tooth gap -3- during assembly.
Sliding piece
2. If the steering wheel was not fixed before the steering gear was removed, the position of the contact unit (spring) may no longer be correct. In this case, remove steering wheel and move contact unit to centre position because otherwise the spring will be damaged.
Contact unit in centre position
- To position the airbag contact unit in centre position, press the latch -D- and carefully turn the rotor -A- anti-clockwise as far as it will go.
Then (starting from the left end stop) carefully turn the rotor -A- clockwise by approx. 3.5 to 3.75 turns until the band printed on one side is visible in the window.
Before fitting the steering wheel, turn the front wheels to the straight-ahead position (steering shaft fitted on steering gear).
Contact unit
Subsequent work
1. After fitting the pressure lines, fill steering hydraulics with Pentosin and bleed the steering system.
2. Fit front underbody panelling -> 519219 Removing and installing front cover 519219 Removing and installing Cover For Front Underbody.
3. Fit front wheels -> 440519 Removing and installing wheel Removal and Replacement.
4. Adjust toe -> 449503 Performing front and rear suspension alignment Service and Repair. Calibrate steering-angle sensor if necessary.