Drivers side rack boot replacement

Tiny
PETER ANDRULIS
  • MEMBER
  • 2001 AUDI A4
  • 1.8L
  • 4 CYL
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 186,000 MILES
I replaced my steering rack boot which was old and cracked, and in the process it appears I added or did not do enough turns on the screw in link to the rack. I counted carefully but it seems like I missed on or added one as the steering wheel is not level but to drive it's lower on the left than right. Is there a fix or leave it for the alignment guys?
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Tuesday, July 7th, 2020 AT 12:29 PM

3 Replies

Tiny
KASEKENNY
  • MECHANIC
  • 18,907 POSTS
There is a fix but no matter what you do at this point, you are only going to make it worse until you put it on an alignment machine and then adjust it. You may get it to the point of having the steering wheel straight but that is the least important thing. You need to make sure your toe is set properly or you will wear your tires out fast.

Any time you replace a tie rod end, you have to do an alignment even if you count the turns and get the wheel straight. It is just not worth the risk of wearing out your tires.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/tie-rod-end-replacement

Let me know if you have questions. Thanks
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Tuesday, July 7th, 2020 AT 4:33 PM
Tiny
PETER ANDRULIS
  • MEMBER
  • 25 POSTS
Thank you for the advice ! I will leave it for the alignment guys !
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Tuesday, July 7th, 2020 AT 6:15 PM
Tiny
KASEKENNY
  • MECHANIC
  • 18,907 POSTS
Sounds great. I would do the same! Thanks for the update and coming back to 2CarPros.
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Wednesday, July 8th, 2020 AT 8:00 PM

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