Link to Fred Munro’s steering damper replacment instructions pdf
includes both the Audi and the Fox damper PNs.
March 21, 2009
Replacing the steering rack brackets
Replacing the steering rack brackets
There are brackets spot welded to the body at both ends of the steering rack. There can be fatigue cracking in the brackets or the body. There are new brackets available as:
4A1-809-321 Updated Passenger Steering Rack Bracket
443-809-489 Updated Drivers Side Steering Rack Bracket
The illusive steering rack brackets, including the revised passenger one >>>
The new updated passenger side bracket looks beefier and has a much larger area to connect to the fire wall. The drivers side one also appears to be beefed up. Hopefully I’ll have some time to weld these bastards in this weekend.
Now the Part Numbers:
4A1-809-321 Updated Passenger Steering Rack Bracket
443-809-489 Updated Drivers Side Steering Rack Bracket
Passenger Bracket:
Passenger Bracket:
Drivers Side Bracket:
Drivers Side Bracket:
Steering Rack/Bracket Update! Beware of numerous pictures > >
As I left off everything was out of the car and I was awaiting my bracket delivery. They came last week but I was delayed due to my outdoor “garage” and some rain.
Here’s the “yardsale” of tools needed (And yes I know I NEED a garage):
Drilling factory welds was a bitch to say the least but doable. The passenger side was the worst.
Swiss Cheese Bracket:
With the brackets off I had to drill the new brackets so I could “puddle weld” them to the body. I basically matched the factory locations and added a few to the black passenger bracket.
For the passenger side I decided to make a plate to bolt and weld inside the fender well. My goal was to sandwich the body between the bracket and plate for added strength. This was also VERY helpful holding everything in position for welding.
Next was to “realign” the body with a BFH (Big Farkin Hammer). I also had to weld up the rips in the body before I could weld the brackets.
Out comes the welder which was a project within itself. I had to go to Home Depot so I could adapt the plug to my stove outlet.
Woah! It’s a newww bracket!
My biggest concern was will everything fit correctly with my body work and bracket install. Hummm lets see if the rack fits?
BAMMM It’s perfect!
I caulked the edges of all the brackets this morning and all the welds in the fender wells will be primed and undercoated, all the welds in the engine bay will be primed and I have to order some green paint from paintscratch.com
While I’m in there she’s getting Bilsteins and some H&R’s. No sketchy ass spring compressor for me, this has by far been my best investment. I estimate doing over 30 suspension installs and lending it out numerous times.
Front Bilsteins are in the uprights, have to reassemble today w/the spring, new strut bearing, mounts and modded Igor camber plates.
After all this……
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