Steering Gear, Electro-Mechanical Steering Gear: Removing

-- Turn the steering wheel to the straight-ahead position and remove the ignition key so that the steering wheel lock engages.

Vehicle with "Keyless Access" Keyless Locking and Starting System 

-- Switch the ignition off and open the driver door so the steering wheel lock locks.

Continuation for All Vehicles 

-- Remove the bolts -1- and cover -2-.

Fig 1: Identifying Footwell Trim Panel

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-- Remove the screw -arrow- from the universal joint -1-. Then remove the universal joint in direction of -arrow-.

Fig 2: Identifying Universal Joint And Screw

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-- Loosen the wheel bolts.

-- Raise the vehicle.

-- Remove the front wheels.

-- Remove the lower noise insulation. Refer to Description and Operation .

-- Remove exhaust system bracket from subframe -arrows-.

Fig 3: Identifying Exhaust System Bracket (Suspended Mount) Bolts

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-- Loosen the double clamp for the exhaust system.

-- Remove the left and right nut -1- from the coupling rod -3-.

Fig 4: Identifying Coupling Rod And Nuts And Stabilizer Bar

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-- Remove the coupling rod -3- from the stabilizer bar -2- on the left and right sides.

-- Remove the nuts -arrows- on left and right side of vehicle.

Fig 5: Identifying Nuts On Left And Right Side Of Vehicle, Removal

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-- Remove the control arm from the ball joint.

-- Loosen nut of track rod ball joint, but do not unscrew yet.

Fig 6: Identifying Nut Of Track Rod Ball Joint

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-- Remove the tie rod end from the wheel bearing housing and remove the nut.

1. Ball Joint Puller T10187

-- Remove the bolts -9- and -10- from the steering gear.

Fig 7: Identifying Steering Gear Bolts

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-- Remove the bolts -11- and then remove the pendulum support from the transmission.

Fig 8: Identifying Pendulum Support Bolts

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-- Secure the subframe. Refer to SUBFRAME, SECURING .

-- Disconnect the connector for the service interval extension to the oil pan.

-- Move the Engine/Gearbox Jack VAG1383A -1- under the subframe.

Fig 9: Identifying Engine/Gearbox Jack

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-- Remove the screws -5- and -6-.

Fig 10: Identifying Subframe Bolts

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-- Lower the subframe slightly using the Engine/Gearbox Jack VAG1383A. Pay attention the electrical wiring while doing this.

-- Remove the bolts -arrows- and the heat shield -1- above the steering gear.

Fig 11: Identifying Heat Shield And Mounting Bolts

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-- Remove cable guide from subframe -arrow-.

Fig 12: Cable Guide At Subframe

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-- Unclip all other cable mounting points on steering gear.

-- Disconnect the connectors -1- and -2- from the steering gear.

Fig 13: Identifying Steering Gear Connectors

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-- Carefully lower subframe using Engine/Gearbox Jack VAG1383A.

-- Lift the steering gear off the subframe and remove it downward.

-- Set the steering gear down as shown.

Fig 14: Identifying Steering Gear

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Avoid damage to the control module -1-.