Tie rod (one-piece version) stone protection (new version), removing and installing

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NOTE:

Tie rod stone suspension is only installed on vehicles with heavy duty suspension.

Stone protection, replacing with tie rod removed

Fig 1: Pressing Clips Forward In Direction Of Travel Out Of Stone Protection

Courtesy of VOLKSWAGEN UNITED STATES, INC.

Press clips - 1 - forward in direction of travel out of stone protection - 2 -.
Unclip stone protection - 2 - from tie rod - 3 -.

Installation is in reverse order of removal.

When installing stone impact protection, ensure it engages correctly with tie rod.

Stone impact protection, replacing with tie rod installed

NOTE:

Replacement of stone protection on right side of vehicle is described and shown in illustration.

Removing

Cut stone protection with a knife in threaded connection area at trapezoidal control arm/tie rod. Do not damage tie rod or other suspension components.

Fig 2: Pressing Clip Forward In Direction Of Travel Out Of Stone Protection

Courtesy of VOLKSWAGEN UNITED STATES, INC.

Press clip - 3 - forward in direction of travel out of stone protection - 2 -.
Press clip - 1 - forward in direction of travel out of stone protection - 2 - until head of clip rests on trapezoidal control arm.

4 - Tie rod

Fig 3: Identifying Clip Head, Tie Rod & Stone Protection Plate

Courtesy of VOLKSWAGEN UNITED STATES, INC.

Cut clip head - 1 - at → area marked in illustration. Do not damage any other suspension components when doing this.

2 - Tie rod

3 - Stone protection plate

Pull rest of clips - 1 - back in direction of travel out of stone protection.
Unclip stone protection from tie rod.

Installing

Fig 4: Cutting New Stone Protection For Right Side At Markings And For Left Side At Markings

Courtesy of VOLKSWAGEN UNITED STATES, INC.

Cut new stone protection for right side at markings - A - and for left side at markings - B -.
First insert stone protection on interior side (side facing center of vehicle), then on exterior side.

Fig 5: Filing Clip Off About 2 mm On Interior Side At Both Marks

Courtesy of VOLKSWAGEN UNITED STATES, INC.

File clip off about 2 mm on interior side at both marks - arrows -.

Fig 6: Pressing filed clip from behind in direction of on vehicle interior side through tie rod and stone impact protection

Courtesy of VOLKSWAGEN UNITED STATES, INC.

Press filed clip from behind in direction of - arrow - on vehicle interior side through tie rod and stone impact protection.
Clip stone impact protection onto tie rod. Ensure stone protection engages correctly.

Fig 7: Pressing Clip Forward In Direction Of Travel Out Of Stone Protection

Courtesy of VOLKSWAGEN UNITED STATES, INC.

Press clip - 1 - and - 3 - back in direction of travel in stone protection - 2 -.