Steering column & components: Notes
WARNING: This page does not describe the selected car, but rather 27 other vehicles, including the 2002 Volkswagen Cabrio, 2001 Volkswagen Cabrio, 2000 Volkswagen Cabrio, 1999 Volkswagen Jetta, and 1999 Volkswagen Golf. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.
Airbag functional check and airbag On Board Diagnostic (OBD) program, see appropriate AIR BAG article in RESTRAINTS.
WARNING:
- The airbag igniter is an explosive device. Handled improperly or without adequate safeguards, it can be accidently activated and cause serious personal injury. To guard against personal injury or airbag system failure, only trained Volkswagen Service technicians should test, disassemble or service the airbag system.
- Before starting any work on the steering components of an airbag-equipped car, read the safety precautions, see AIRBAG SAFETY PRECAUTIONS .
WARNING:
- Do not re-use fasteners that are worn or deformed in normal use.
- Some fasteners are designed to be used only once, and are unreliable and may fail if used a second time. This includes, but is not limited to, nuts, bolts, washers, circlips and cotter pins. Always follow recommendations in this manual-replace these fasteners with new parts where indicated, and any other time it is deemed necessary by inspection.
NOTE:
- All parts marked with an asterisk (*) can be pre-assembled outside of the vehicle, see Pre-assembling steering column .
- Always replace self-locking nuts and bolts.
- Do not attempt to repair damaged steering components by welding or straightening.
The following list pertains to Fig 1.
- Hex bolt
- 30 N.m (22 ft lb)
- Protective cover
- Lower universal joint
- Different number of splines from VIN 1HN 002 450, see CHANGES TO SPLINES ON STEERING GEAR PINION AND STEERING COLUMN UNIVERSAL JOINT SHAFT
- Connecting piece
- Connecting sleeve
- Hex nut
- 30 N.m (22 ft lb)
- Upper universal joint
- Hex bolt
- Spring
- Lower steering column bearing
- Drive on using slide hammer set VW 771 and large washer
- Drive off downward using a tube
- Steering column*
- With torque overload clutch, cannot be dismantled
- Standard on Cabrio from m.y. 1997
- Can be retrofitted to all models
- Use corresponding steering column tube and steering column switch when retrofitting
NOTE: If a torque of over 100 N.m (74 ft lb) is exerted on steering wheel, then the steering column will also turn without damaging the locking pin. The straight ahead position will not be altered. - Lower steering column section*
- Remove by pulling upward out of steering column tube
- Checking length, see Checking length of steering column
- Supplied as replacement part complete with upper section
- Shear bolt
- Tighten until head shears off
- Drill out to remove
- Assembly carrier
- Steering column tube
- Lower bracket must lie fully on foot pedal cluster mount
- Steering column with torque overload clutch has a longer cut-out on underside of tube
- Steering column*
- Remove by pulling upward out of steering column tube
- Supplied as replacement part complete with upper section
- Steering wheel for airbag
- Removing and installing, see STEERING WHEEL WITH AIRBAG, REMOVING AND INSTALLING
- Removing and installing airbag spiral spring -F138-, see AIRBAG SPIRAL SPRING, REMOVING AND INSTALLING
- Shear bolt
- Before tightening, check distance between steering wheel and steering lock housing trim
- Drill out to remove
- Support ring
- Steering column switches
- Servicing, see LIGHTS, SWITCHES - INTERIOR, ANTI-THEFT (UP TO EARLY PRODUCTION 1999)
- Adjusting distance between steering wheel and steering lock housing, see Checking distance between steering wheel and steering lock housing trim
- Spring
- Splined adaptor sleeve
- Removing, see Removing splined adapter sleeve
- Installing, see Installing splined adapter sleeve
- Steering wheel
- Install in centered position
- For vehicles NOT equipped with airbag
- Hex nut
- 50 N.m (37 ft lb)
- Cover plate
- For vehicles NOT equipped with airbag