Date:         Tue, 11 Sep 2001 07:01:05 -0500
Reply-To:     John Rodgers <jhrodgers@CHARTER.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         John Rodgers <jhrodgers@CHARTER.NET>
Subject:      Re: How to remove U-joint from power steering?
Comments: To: Jutta & Christian Knust <knust-net@GMX.NET>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii

Jutta & Christian Knust wrote:

> Hi folks,
>  to remove the old power steering rack & pinion. , both the pinion end and the
> steering rod end are equipped with fine teeth fitting into the teeth of the
> u-joint. I just cannot remove the u-joint from either the rod or the pinion end.
> What's the trick on this???? Is there a VW tool to do this or what?

Chris, I did this a long time ago on my 85' GL and it was a bitch.

It has been a few years back, but as I remember the coupling is a type of clamp with
matching splines. You must force the coupling apart with something. As I recall I
finally found a piece of steel with a taper to it and managed to hammer that in at
the right angle sufficient to open the clamp just the tiniest fraction of and inch.
That fraction was all it took. Then I was able, with a soft metal hammer drive the
thing loose. It's a PITA.

Careful putting it back together and matcing those splines or you will have your
steering wheel mis-aligned. You definitely don't want to have to drive that thing
loose a second time.

Good luck.

John Rodgers,
88 GL Driver