Ok several people including me :GL seem to have a leaking Power Steering Rack so i thought i would show how to remove the Rack ready for repair or replacment.
First get it jacked up and on heavy duty stands SAFTEY FIRST!!! I won't be held responsible if you get squashed!!!
Take off the front wheels
Undo clips or cables ties and slide back the rubber boots (some fluid may come out so put a container under to catch it!)
Using a spanner or big grips undo inner tie rod counter clockwise for both sides
Here they are removed
This is the rack with inner rod removed from it oil leaks from around here
Next get underneith and locate where the steering column meets the rack you will see a rubber boot
Push it up to expose universal joint
Mark the orientation between the joint and the plastic collar (tipex is good for this), then take out the bolt and push/wiggle the joint upwards (it will not come right off at this point untill rack moved)
Undo the 8mm bolt holding pipes to rack
Next undo the hydraulic pipes from the rack pinion (two 17mm nuts), again catch the oil!!
Push the pipes rearwards out the way
Now locate the 4 bolts that hold the rack to the subframe (16mm head 2 per side)
Once these are out move the rack to the nearside to fully remove the lower column UJ from rack pinion shaft, then move rack forword and bring offside of rack down 1st between subframe and engine
Thats all there is too it:ILU: Here's mine next job is to clean up and strip down i have located instructions to do this via this link;
Non servotronic ( no elecrical connection to rack)
Great info and pics, thanks. Did mine this weekend, got it out just like the pics said but I wouldn't underestimate the effort in getting this job done.
The hydraulic lines are a pain to remove, tight space and been fitted since new make them a bugger, I recommend getting hold of some 17mm pipe spanners and be prepared for losing some knuckle skin.
I also had to fight the four bolts holding the rack to the frame, mine has got t50 torx bolts and they were very well in there, new torx socket required after bending the first one.
It's definitely a DIY job for the amatuer mechanic (that'll be me then) but it took me two days to fight the bolts and pipes off. Rebuilt took an hour A:T:
Used the guide to remove my rack although I had to do mine in a different order.
I had to use some 14" stillsons to undo the inner tie rods as they were stuck fast
I took all the 16mm mounting bolts out bolts out before I undid the pipes as my caravelle has rear heating and the pipes run down the left hand side close to the rack pinion. Then slid the rack to the right so I could get to the pipes
I bought a thumb ratchet to get the 16mm bolts out as they were too loose for a normal ratchet and too tight for my fingers.
It made this part a doddle
The steering rack bushes were shot to pieces, it might be an idea to change them when you pull the rack out anyway
Hi,
This seems fantastic. The one only part I'm thinking for me is removing the rack after it is detached! I have a 03 plate 2.45TDI T4. Will I have to drop the subframe or won't I have to with a bit of a struggle? Also how long did this job take? (I will double the time scale as I'm a first timer!)
Just adding my pence worth from something that I found out recently. I had a totally different reason to swap my PS rack out on my 2000 2.5tdi but I used a 1.9td rack it had different part numbers but it fitted fine and works fine.
Brilliant followed it every steep and everything went great the only thing I had trouble with was getting the gaiters back on at the large end, but after a lot of thinking I turned the rime back on its self them pushed it up tight and rolled the rim back on many thanks for your thread. 😎😆😤😤😬😬😎😎😎Paul (t4gwaun)
I have been pondering all week long wondering if it is at all possible to remove the SR without dropping the subframe until I came across this post. I thought it was possible but I needed this confirmation. Thanks for the brilliant post. I will attempt to replace my one this weekend.
I though I'd post this as questions about changing steering wheels come up so often
First off to clear up any misunderstanding ALL T4s CAME WITH 17mm SPLINES at the top of the steering column. If you've got 27mm splines on you're steering column then you've already got the adapter fitted
The...
I changed my drop links today these are the steps I took to do the job:
Tools required:
Trolley jack
Axle stands
21mm socket, ratchet , extension bar , ring spanner
Stock van jack
Centre hole punch or 3mm drill bit and drill
Materials:
2 x drop links
Copper slip spray or paste
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Part Number|Side|Thickness|Load|colour
701 411 103 F|Right|23.8 mm|payload <800kg|white
701 411 104 F|Left|23.8 mm|payload <800kg|white
701 411...
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