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General Information => Troubleshooting => Topic started by: rs899 on February 22, 2011, 04:01:29 am

Title: Questions on MK2 Inner Tie Rod Replacement
Post by: rs899 on February 22, 2011, 04:01:29 am

I badly need to replace the tie rods (inner and outer) on my Jetta.

Is it easier to just remove the tie rods with the rack in place, or pull the rack?

Is it necessary to remove the lower A-arms?

Anybody know what sort of wrench is needed on the inner tie rod coupling?

Rick

Title: Re: Questions on MK2 Inner Tie Rod Replacement
Post by: duffer on February 22, 2011, 06:05:17 am

Is it power steering or manual?

It's always easier to service the steering gear
with the rack removed, particularly with the
power steering gear...you have to grip the rack
in a soft-jaw vise and unscrew the tie-rod which,
as I recall, is usually installed with Loctite.

Title: Re: Questions on MK2 Inner Tie Rod Replacement
Post by: rs899 on February 22, 2011, 06:28:44 am

Unfortunately, it's power.  I had been seriously contemplating this job last summer when I had the transmission out- it would have been a lot easier, but I didn't want to spend the time then.

I just hate the thought of having all the hydraulic fluid everywhere...and access to the lines and coupling...

Title: Re: Questions on MK2 Inner Tie Rod Replacement
Post by: R.O.R-2.0 on February 22, 2011, 07:26:25 am

manual steering FTW!

Title: Re: Questions on MK2 Inner Tie Rod Replacement
Post by: maxfax on February 22, 2011, 07:35:38 am

Quote from: R.O.R-2.0 on February 22, 2011, 07:26:25 am

manual steering FTW!

x2!!

Title: Re: Questions on MK2 Inner Tie Rod Replacement
Post by: rs899 on February 22, 2011, 07:48:29 am

I wish.  I have a spare manual rack and new tie rods for that- but no u-joint :'(


Edit:  The MK1 rack and Mk2 manual racks are totally different- I have a Mk1 spare, but not a Mk2.  Will have to keep it power- bummer....

Title: Re: Questions on MK2 Inner Tie Rod Replacement
Post by: maxfax on February 22, 2011, 08:10:21 am

Want one???

Title: Re: Questions on MK2 Inner Tie Rod Replacement
Post by: R.O.R-2.0 on February 22, 2011, 08:35:17 am

a rabbit u-joint will work i think..

Title: Re: Questions on MK2 Inner Tie Rod Replacement
Post by: rs899 on February 22, 2011, 08:42:22 am

Quote

a rabbit u-joint will work i think..

I don't think so, the length is different.  The MK2 mounts to the subframe...

As for wanting one, maybe, IF I have to pull the rack.  What do they come out of anyway?

Title: Re: Questions on MK2 Inner Tie Rod Replacement
Post by: R.O.R-2.0 on February 22, 2011, 08:44:17 am

no, somebody told me that you can use a rabbit steering u-joint on a mk2 car with p/s to do the conversion to manual steering..

why would VW have used a specific steering u-joint for 3 years of production? the early mk2 cars share lots of little things with the mk1 cars..

Title: Re: Questions on MK2 Inner Tie Rod Replacement
Post by: Dakotakid on February 22, 2011, 12:23:29 pm

Nobody really answered your question.
I've replaced manual tie rods with the rack in place, while leaving the control arms on.....but, not a power assisted one.
Make sure you count the number of revolutions as you screw the old one off so that you have a chance of getting it close to alignment with the new piece. Should be like 16 or 17 revolutions to be safely on.
I think you will have refamiliarized yourself with every cuss-word you have ever known by the time you get this job finished. Some of them multiple times! Perhaps....none-stop.

Title: Re: Questions on MK2 Inner Tie Rod Replacement
Post by: rs899 on February 23, 2011, 04:52:37 am

Here's a DIY I found on the Vortex:

http://faculty.ccp.edu/faculty/dreed/Campingart/jettatech/tierods/tierods.htm

It says Mk3, but it's in the MK2 forum- I think it's the same deal.

Looks doable- might have to remove the lower A-arms, but it wouldn't hurt to rebush them. 

I have the complete tie rods (practically new) on a spare rack (of dubious reliability), so I will just remove them and replace on my rack - in theory.  Hopefully will not be far off in alignment, but I do my own anyway.

Title: Re: Questions on MK2 Inner Tie Rod Replacement
Post by: Baron VonZeppelin on February 23, 2011, 07:51:09 pm

Thanks for the thread, and the link RS899

I've got to do the complete tie rods (bad inner) on an 85 Jet with Pwr Steer.
Just needs passenger, but gonna do both if can get ahold of a KD-3312 type tool !

Anybody tried an Advance Auto or AutoZone for a loaner tool like this ?

There is a seller on eBay offering driver side pwr strg complete tie rod for like 7-8 shipped. Another with passenger side for 15-16 shipped.

AhausAZ is 20 per side.

Title: Re: Questions on MK2 Inner Tie Rod Replacement
Post by: rs899 on February 24, 2011, 06:57:02 am

Good thinking re Autozone loaner...

I called my AZ and they have this:

http://www.autozone.com/autozone/accessories/OEM-2-In-1-Inner-Tie-Rod-End-Tool/_/N-264v?itemIdentifier=552232&_requestid=1041014

I'm not certain that it will work as the nut on the inner joint is 1 1/4", but it's worth a look- if the thing works with a bolt that tightens to the nut it should.  The price is right.

Edit:  looked at a close-up picture of this tool and now I am not so sure.  I think the socket end has two sets of 3 contact points - one set for 1 3/16 and one for 1 5/16.  So 1 1/4 is probably going to slip/round out without some sort of bushing to take up the slop. :(

Title: Re: Questions on MK2 Inner Tie Rod Replacement
Post by: Baron VonZeppelin on February 25, 2011, 05:56:54 pm

Advance Auto loaner tool is same thing, checked it out today.
1 3/16
1 5/16
1 7/16

Going to check it out again when have a tie rod in hand.

Title: Re: Questions on MK2 Inner Tie Rod Replacement
Post by: casanis on February 26, 2011, 07:18:03 am

I would say it is easier with the rack in place...YMMV.

I replaced both tie rods on my 85 Jetta (w/ pwr steering) exactly as the link shows:

http://faculty.ccp.edu/faculty/dreed/Campingart/jettatech/tierods/tierods.htm

I ended up cutting the old ones in half to get them out. I tried the loaner tool program at my local auto store, however, nothing seemed to fit.

I ended up buying this tool which made the job very easy:

http://www.princessauto.com/workshop/hand-tools/automotive-tools/auto-repair/8159949-inner-tie-rod-socket

Alignment after installed and all was well.

best of luck!
adam.