I recently had to replace the rack and tie rods on 2005 VW passat 1.8T 4 motion. Went for alignment and they say i need to replace steering sensor. Should i first try to recalibrate or replace?

The usual technique is to loosen the toe-in adjustment nuts, then uncouple the steering tie rod ends with a tool like this

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/attachments/1st-gen-tacomas/221662d1373081386-2001-taco-tools-diy-replacing-upper-lower-ball-joints-picture073.jpeg

then remove the tie rod ends, leaving the toe-in adjustment nuts in the same place on the threads to mark the adjustment position. The rubber bellows can then be cut off each end of the steering rack, and new ones slid along the tie rods and secured. You would then need a wheel alignment.

Note that on some cars the inside of the rubber bellows is not designed to retain the power steering fluid, this being done by a seal further in on the rack itself. If that was the fault, the rack would have to come out.

This job is far better done on a hoist, so you may want to take it to a repair shop.

Vt commodore steering Rack boots always rip and tear,the racks always tend to leak from the internal seals.
So if this the case with yours I would recommend you just get a reconditioned steering rack and fit it but once the rack is replaced you will also need to do a wheel alignment.
steps to change rack .
1.raise vehicle on hoist
2.remove front wheels
3.remove tie rod end split pins
4.undo tie rod end nuts and inner nuts on rack ends
5.release tie rod end from hub.
6.centralise steering wheel and remove keys from ignition
7.count the number of turns on each side that tie rod come off and write down .
8.undo the 2 metal pipes that go into the rack feed and return lines and make sure u have container under the vehicle to collect old fluid.
9.undo the 13mm nut and bolt that mounts the rack to the steering colum shaft.
10.undo the 2 *19mm bolts and nuts that mount the rack to the crossmember.
11.gentle wiggle the rack and it will come away.
12.follow these steps in reverse when fitting new rack.,make sure you replace the oring seals .
13.you will need to get a wheel alignment done..

I think u have meet a set of Auto bandits. Think u need to a real mechanic who will give u an honest answer. I can tell o lot of stuff what can can cause bc that noise. But that may be be coming a waste of time.

Procedure on replacing the inner tie rod ends:


1) Raise and safely support the vehicle.

2) Remove the front wheel/tire assembly.

3) Clean the steering rod between the steering boot and outer tie rod end lock nut with a suitable penetrating lubricant and a clean cloth or shop towel.

4) Loosen the outer tie rod end locking nut 1/8 turn.

5) Loosen the steering boot clamp(s), and slide the small clamp off the boot.

6) Carefully loosen the boot and slide outward off the steering rack and onto the shaft to expose the inner steering rod mounting fastener.

7) If necessary, position the inner steering rack shaft in or out to allow for additional access.

8) Relieve the steering rod nut locking tab from the inner steering rack shaft, then loosen the steering rod ball socket nut 1 turn.

9) Matchmark the tie rod end to the threaded shaft.

10) Remove the cotter key and castle nut from the outer tie rod end threaded spindle, and using a tie rod end removal tool, remove the tie rod from the steering knuckle.

11) Hold the tie rod with a wrench, and remove the outer tie rod end from the threaded rod, counting the number of complete turns it takes to remove the tie rod end from the shaft. Write the number of turns on a piece of note paper.

12) Remove the tie rod end lock nut from the threaded steering shaft.

13) Slide the steering rack boot off the shaft.

14) Remove the inner steering rod ball socket nut from the inner steering rack shaft.

To install:

1) Inspect the tie rod end for looseness, and the steering rack boot and tie rod end boot for cracks deterioration or damage and replace as necessary.

2) Clean steering rack shaft and apply a light coating of Genuine Honda Power steering fluid as necessary.

3) Apply a medium strength locking agent to the threads where the inner steering rod ball socket mounts. Use a new locking washer and a new stop washer, and install the inner tie rod onto the steering rack shaft.

4) Tighten the inner tie rod end fastener by 58 ft. lbs. (78 Nm)

5) Peen the lock washer over the nut or onto the flat surface of the steering rack shaft.

6) Apply silicone grease to the outer circumference of the inner tie rod end ball socket, and onto the groove just outside of the socket.

7) Apply silicone grease to the inside of the small end of the steering rack boot, and slide the boot over the steering shaft and onto the rack and install the boot clamps. If the boot has air hose fittings make sure they are installed as removed.

8) Apply a light film of an anti-seize compound onto the threaded tie rod end, and install the tie rod end lock nut.

9) Install the tie rod end onto the tie rod, turning it in exactly the number of turns it took to remove it.

10) Install the tie rod end following the tie rod end installation procedure.

11) The balance of installation is the reverse of the removal procedure.

12) Check the front end alignment and adjust as necessary.

Worn inner tie rod joint,on the steering rack

If you go to an alignment only shop, not some
chain store, with an alignment rack,they will
change it for you, if it can be done

Then you have to set all the front end adjustments

Don't let them pitch you, a complete rack assy
Moog-- makes those inner tie rods, and you put your
good outer joint on it

The tie rod is part of the steering mechanism. If you replace these they will not be exactly the same as the old ones which may have changed shape over time etc... Here is a very good site for info relating to your car and helps with all the technical stuff... http://news.carjunky.com/how_stuff_works/what-is-a-tie-rod-abc170.shtml

Yes. If it's to correct alignment, the inner tie rod shaft has to be moved into your outer tie rod and then tightened. this is all done from the wheel area.

If it is to correct play in the steering, then this should apply.

The inner tie rod connection to the Rack unit is hidden by the rack boot which will need to be removed from the Rack unit but not completely removed from the shaft, just pushed over out of the way while working on the inner tie rod adjustment. The large nut on the end of the inner tie rod will have to be loosened & checked, for any damage, then reinstalled & tightened to the correct amount necessary to cause sufficient drag on the inner tie rod but not too much to restrict it during normal use.

You may even want to consider a remanufactured Rack unit if you have too much slack in the steering. Tightening the Inner Tie Rods doesn't replace the seals & rebuild the remainder of the Rack & Pinion, yet these parts all have the same amount of wear on them that the Inner Tie Rod does.

Manuals available w/step by step instructions for your vehicle at parts stores. good luck

Could be a worn rack and pinion, but first I would check the Ball joints and Tie rod ends. Hopefully it is one of those since they are much cheaper to replace.

Jack up car, remove wheels, pull cotter pins out of outer tie rod ends, tap tie rod ends till joint pops out, next unhook bolt that holds steering wheel to the rack and pinion, disconnect the power steering hose and drain fluid in a can, next remove mounting bolts from the rack and pinion that holds it to the frame, if the exhaust is not in the way yo can get it out without to much trouble, after removing the hoses and the steering knuckle drop the unit down in one piece, book time calls for 4 hours to remove and more time if you replace the inner tie rod ends, go buy a rebuilt unit at the parts store will cost about $400 fo a rebuilt unit, replace bot inner and outer tie rod ends, to install is the reverse procedure, the steering wheel shaft is keyed for it to fit in one way make sure it is pointing straight and the steering rack is centered get that started first then bolt up hook up lines and tie rod ends, then adjust tie rod ends to get alignment close, you can turn the wheels one at a time with a round file to make a mark on the tire and do both sides then with a tape measure check on the two lines on the wheels front and rear it should be no more than 1/8 towed out in the front if it is more adjust then take it to a alignment shop and get a four wheel alignment.

The book calls for about 5 hours labor with a lift, air tools, and experience. It's a tough job. Here are a few tips, Take the lines loose from the rack; not the pump. With the tires off, Remove the nuts from the outer tie rods.Run the nuts back on the tie rods stud and hit the steering knuckle where the tie rod's stud goes through.This will free the stud. Remove the steering shaft from the rack.(take the bolt all the way out.Remove rack mounting bolts. Twist,pull ****,and fight the rack out the side of the car with the most room. The new rack will have inner tie rods already installed. Make sure the new rack is centered.(Turn left then right count the turns then center same # of turns from left to right). Count the threads or measure from the outer tie rod's jam nut to the last thread on the inner tie rod.(you can leave the jam nut in place and take the outer tie rod off and measure from the jam nut to the end of the rod.)Install the outer tie rods. Replace rack in car. hook up steering shaft.Bolt up rack. Hook up lines. Add fluid and work rack back and forth to bleed air. recheck fluid. Have it aligned. (or just take it to a shop.This job is going to be a nightmare!!!)