Adjusting Steering GearboxThe rack and pinion housing of the manual steering gearbox has an adjustment to correct steering play. If the steering rattles or there is play in the steering wheel with the front wheels pointed straight ahead, an adjustment of the steering gearbox may help. If the steering seems too stiff or tends not to center itself after turning, the steering adjustment may be too tight. The ZF power-assisted steering gearbox has a similar adjustment. The TRW power-assisted steering gearbox must be removed from the car for adjustment and a special tool is required. To adjust the manual steering gearbox, turn the front wheels to the straight ahead position. Turn the adjusting bolt shown in Fig. 7-11 clockwise to tighten the steering and counterclockwise to loosen the steering. Make a small change and road test the car. Turn the adjusting bolt no more than 20° (approximately 1/16 turn) at any one time. If the steering becomes too stiff, back off the adjusting bolt in small steps until the steering effort feels comfortable.
To adjust the ZF power-assisted steering gearbox, the aid of an assistant is required. With the car on the ground, turn the front wheels to the straight ahead position. Turn the steering wheel back and forth approximately 30° from its center position, while the assistant turns the adjusting bolt clockwise until no rattling or popping sounds are heard from inside the car. See Fig. 7-12. Road test the car and readjust if necessary.
To adjust the TRW power-assisted steering gearbox, remove it from the car, as described in Removing and Installing Steering Gearbox. Loosen the locknut and, using Volkswagen special tool VW 524 (order no. TV0 524 000 40 ZEL) as shown in Fig. 7-13, turn the hex socket head adjusting bolt until the steering rack can be moved in the housing by hand without binding. Tighten the locknut and reinstall the steering gearbox in the car.
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