On Tue, Mar 17, 2009 at 1:22 PM, David Hines <dmh1314@msn.com> wrote:

> My main question is has anyone replaced the whole tie rod assembly without removing the rack from the van? �I really hate messing with those PS fluid lines. �I am concerned about bending the tab that keeps the tie rod from loosening where it connects to the rack (see pic at: http://tubaneil.googlepages.com/InnerTieRodEndDS.jpg/InnerTieRodEndDS-full;init:.jpg) �I have read in other posts that the tab is on the top of the rack and is hard to get to.
>
> My thought is to disconnect the steering shaft from the u-joint and unbolt the 4 bolts that hold the rack to the frame so I can rotate it to access the bent tabs without disconnecting the PS fluid lines. �Has anyone successfully tried this before?
>

FWIW, that pic of mine shows a **manual** steering rack mounted on vehicle.

In picture, "tab" is shown roughly at bottom of steering rack shaft.

I just checked both my *manual* steering racks. Both have the "tab" at bottom.

If the power steering rack is the same in that regard, I'll bet you
don't have to remove it from vehicle to remove the tie rod from rack
shaft. If so, just punch that tab back. Didn't take much effort in
that regard on mine.

FWIW, a drift, ground square to roughly same size as channel in rack
shaft, makes locking the inner ball joint tie rod easier. i.e. one can
do it with more or less one punch. Using a smaller punch might mangle
it up a little.

http://tubaneil.googlepages.com/InnerEndTieRodLock.jpg

Neil.

-- 
Neil Nicholson '81 VanaJetta 2.0 "Jaco"

http://tubaneil.googlepages.com/

http://groups.google.com/group/vanagons-with-vw-inline-4-cylinder-gas-engines