Jet Jockey/A4 Pilot
04-24-2007, 08:09 PM
First let us back track to the beginning of March when my power steering went kaput!
After the power steering pump is installed and a regular service is performed I pick up the car and on the way home I'm not pleased with how the steering is responding to my inputs. This was on a Friday afternoon. I made it home and decided to try it again on Saturday but it got worse. I parked the car and on Monday I called the dealer to let hi know that we still have a problem.
Fast forward to yesterday, almost a month and a half as gone by (just had no time to take the car in). Drop it off and I go test drive it with a tech. Yes the steering rack is acting up. Great they have one in stock and will work on it tomorrow. I say well while you are at it I have some new goodies for you to install while you are playing with the steering and suspension components.
So I decided it was time to rebuild my CPP upper links with brand new S/S Rod Ends, 2 per link, 4 per side, eight total. Now since the steering rack come without the Tie Rod Ends, I told them to install the CPP S/S height adjustable Tie Rod Ends instead of the regular rubber filled OEM ones. Now I will be able to adjust my "Bump Steer". Today we only set up the suspension in a way to get the Hell out of the dealer's hands. My final set up will be made later.
More mods to come soon!
So once again thanks to <b>Dave at CPP</b> for the wonderful parts.
For those who have not seen a steering rack here are a few pictures...
<b>Steering rack, full view. You can notice my OEM Tie Rod End sitting in front of the rack.</b>
<img src="http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b79/mlab601/OEMSteeringRackRepalcement-200-04-2.jpg">
<b>Where the hydraulics come in and out of the rack.</b>
<img src="http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b79/mlab601/OEMSteeringRackRepalcement-200-0-1.jpg">
<b>One of the ends where the Tie Rod End screws into the inner Rod End (inside the boot). You can see one of the CPP Tie Rod Ends just sitting at the end of the boot.</b>
<img src="http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b79/mlab601/OEMSteeringRackRepalcement-200-0-2.jpg">
<b>CPP Stainless Steel Tie Rod Ends. This picture is not mine and shows the older version without the protective rubber boot.</b>
<img src="http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b79/mlab601/CPP-TieRodEnds.jpg">
<b>The new version of CPP's Tie Rod End actually installed on my new steering rack and on my car. Notice the protective rubber boots.</b>
<img src="http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b79/mlab601/CPPHeightadjustableTieRodEnds-2007-.jpg">
<b>Sorry for the bad picture. A comparison between the OEM and CPP Tie Rod End. The CPP unit is at least 3/4 of an inch taller.</b>
<img src="http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b79/mlab601/CPPHeightadjustableTieRodEnds-20-1.jpg">
<b>Finally a picture showing the rebuild CPP upper links with their new S/S Rod Ends.</b>
<img src="http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b79/mlab601/CAR-CPPUpperlinksrebuild-RodEnds-20.jpg">
After the power steering pump is installed and a regular service is performed I pick up the car and on the way home I'm not pleased with how the steering is responding to my inputs. This was on a Friday afternoon. I made it home and decided to try it again on Saturday but it got worse. I parked the car and on Monday I called the dealer to let hi know that we still have a problem.
Fast forward to yesterday, almost a month and a half as gone by (just had no time to take the car in). Drop it off and I go test drive it with a tech. Yes the steering rack is acting up. Great they have one in stock and will work on it tomorrow. I say well while you are at it I have some new goodies for you to install while you are playing with the steering and suspension components.
So I decided it was time to rebuild my CPP upper links with brand new S/S Rod Ends, 2 per link, 4 per side, eight total. Now since the steering rack come without the Tie Rod Ends, I told them to install the CPP S/S height adjustable Tie Rod Ends instead of the regular rubber filled OEM ones. Now I will be able to adjust my "Bump Steer". Today we only set up the suspension in a way to get the Hell out of the dealer's hands. My final set up will be made later.
More mods to come soon!
So once again thanks to <b>Dave at CPP</b> for the wonderful parts.
For those who have not seen a steering rack here are a few pictures...
<b>Steering rack, full view. You can notice my OEM Tie Rod End sitting in front of the rack.</b>
<img src="http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b79/mlab601/OEMSteeringRackRepalcement-200-04-2.jpg">
<b>Where the hydraulics come in and out of the rack.</b>
<img src="http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b79/mlab601/OEMSteeringRackRepalcement-200-0-1.jpg">
<b>One of the ends where the Tie Rod End screws into the inner Rod End (inside the boot). You can see one of the CPP Tie Rod Ends just sitting at the end of the boot.</b>
<img src="http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b79/mlab601/OEMSteeringRackRepalcement-200-0-2.jpg">
<b>CPP Stainless Steel Tie Rod Ends. This picture is not mine and shows the older version without the protective rubber boot.</b>
<img src="http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b79/mlab601/CPP-TieRodEnds.jpg">
<b>The new version of CPP's Tie Rod End actually installed on my new steering rack and on my car. Notice the protective rubber boots.</b>
<img src="http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b79/mlab601/CPPHeightadjustableTieRodEnds-2007-.jpg">
<b>Sorry for the bad picture. A comparison between the OEM and CPP Tie Rod End. The CPP unit is at least 3/4 of an inch taller.</b>
<img src="http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b79/mlab601/CPPHeightadjustableTieRodEnds-20-1.jpg">
<b>Finally a picture showing the rebuild CPP upper links with their new S/S Rod Ends.</b>
<img src="http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b79/mlab601/CAR-CPPUpperlinksrebuild-RodEnds-20.jpg">