The tie rod screws onto the PS shaft and is held securely by the large nut
which tightens against the inboard end of the tie rod.  To remove the tie
rod end first disconnect it from the wheel with a pickle fork or tie rod
end remover.  Next, loosen the nut by holding the PS rack shaft from
moving with an adjustable open ended wrench that you can put on a groove
VW put in this shaft.  If that does'nt hold (it probably won't) use a pipe
wrench to hold the PS rack shaft from turning while you loosen the big nut
that turns against the tie rod end.  Then just unscrew the tie rod end.

Good luck,
Andrew Fox
POS 86 Westy on its 3rd PS rack!

On Thu, 1 Aug 2002, John Carpenter wrote:

> Hi All,
> How do you remove the locking ring,
> that holds the tie rod to the power steering unit?
> Does the power steering unit have to be off the van to remove this ring?
> It seems to just be locked down with a small punch,
> but I've picked & pried, and cant seem to get it to budge.
> Has anyone had any experience doing this?
> Thanks as always,
> John C.
> SLC, UT
> 85 Westaru...
>