Audi Q5: Boot, Removing and Installing
Electromechanical Steering Gear Boot, Removing and Installing
Special tools and workshop equipment required
- Torque Wrench 1331 5-50Nm -VAG1331-
- Torque Wrench 1332 40-200Nm -VAG1332-
- Torque Wrench 1332 Insert - Ring Wrench - 21mm -VAG1332/7-
- Hose Clip Pliers -VAG1921-
- Clamping Pliers -VAG1682A- with Clamping Pliers - Jaws -VAG1682A/1-
- Puller - Ball Joint -T40010A-
Removing
Replace the boot each time it is removed.
Caution
If the bellow is faulty, moisture and dirt will penetrate into steering gear. There must be a noticeable grease film present on steering rack in area of splines. If grease film is not present, steering gear must be replaced. Steering gear must also be replaced if there is corrosion or steering gear is damaged or worn out.
- Remove the wheels.
- Bring wheels in the straight position.
- Remove the noise insulation. Refer to → Body Exterior; Rep. Gr.66; Noise Insulation.
- Clean the power steering gear and subframe in the boot area.
Caution
While doing this, no dirt must enter the steering gear through the faulty boot.
- Remove the nut -1- from the tie rod end joint pin -2- until it is flush with the joint pin threads. Counterhold when loosening.
To protect thread, screw nut on pin a few turns.
- Remove the tie rod end from the wheel bearing housing using the Puller - Ball Joint -T40010A-. Remove the nut.
Note
Make sure that both puller lever arms are parallel to each other when using greatest force, adjust if necessary.
- Mark the installed position of the nut -2- on the tie rod -1- for later.
- Counterhold the tie rod end -3- and loosen the nut -2-.
- Open the spring clamp -3- with the Hose Clip Pliers -VAG1921- and remove it.
- Remove the clamp -1- and remove the boot -2- from the power steering gear.
- Remove the tie rod end -3- and nut -2- from the tie rod -1-.
- Pull off the boot with spring clamp from tie rod.
Note
- If corrosion, damage, wear-out or first signs of soiling on steering rack can be seen, complete steering gear must be replaced.
- If no grease film is visible on steering rack, steering gear must also be replaced completely.
Installing
Install in reverse order of removal. Note the following:
- Replace the boot each time it is removed.
- Coat the inside of the joint boot seat all the way around and evenly with Power Steering Gear Grease before installing. Refer to the Parts Catalog.
- Check the seat for the boot on the steering gear for damage before installing. If the steering gear housing is damaged, replace the steering gear.
- Before installing, coat the steering rack with the grease supplied in the repair set.
Caution
Do not use other grease under any circumstances.
- For this purpose, turn steering to stop toward both sides in succession.
For clearer illustration, steering gear has been removed in the illustration.
- Grease the steering rack on the toothed side -A- and on the thrust piece side with grease.
Note
To grease the rack, only use Power Steering Gear Grease. Note: there are different types of grease for the left and right. Refer to the Parts Catalog for the allocation.
- Bring wheels in the straight position.
- Guide new clamp and boot onto tie rod.
- Install the nut -1- and tie rod -3- up to the marking applied during removal.
- Tighten the nut -2- to the specification. Counterhold the tie rod end -3-.
The boot/power steering gear sealing surface must be free of grease when installing.
- Slide the boot onto the steering gear housing with a new clamp.
- Make sure the boot is seated correctly on the power steering gear.
- The boot must fit in the groove and on the contour of the power steering gear.
Clamping Sleeves, Installing. Refer to → Fig. "Tensioning the Inner Clamp"
- Secure the spring clamp -3- on the boot -2- using the Hose Clip Pliers -VAG1921-.
Boot assembling:
- Dimension -a- = 2 mm.
Install in reverse order of removal.
- An axle alignment may be required. Refer to → Chapter "Evaluating Need for Axle Alignment".
The axle alignment must be performed on a VW/Audi approved alignment stand.
