Steering rack upgrade from PR-1N2 to PR-1N4

[Jay-Jay]

Well, a week has gone since I upgraded the ABS Unit. I drove the car for about 500km on many different kind of roads, with both a calm and a spirited driving style.
I can 100% state that the ESP problem has been fixed!
Now I will add some more informations which will really make this topic complete about the steering rack upgrade.
As you remember, in my first post I wrote that after installing the 1N4 steering rack I started to feel a strange resistance right before reaching the steering limit stops.
In the last days I did some more research, motivated by the fact that ETKA indicates different tie rod part numbers for 1N2 and 1N4 steering rack, despite many aftermarket brands (ie. Meyle) use the same replacement part for both (1N2 and 1N4) OEM references.
I had the chance to get my hands on a used tie rod off of an Audi A1, which already comes from factory with a 1N4 steering rack, and I put it next to a new Meyle HD tie rod, which is what is installed on my car now.

Well, the photo speaks for itself.
As you can see, the form factor is not the same.
The 1N2 tie rod has a more curved body, which means that when I turn my wheels, as soon as I get closer to the limit stop, the 1N2 more curved tie rod's body makes contact with the knuckle and causes the resistance I am experiencing.
So, my plan is to replace both tie rods with 1N4 specific ones.
I had the chance to order a few made by TRW (part numbers JTE440 and JTE441), which look identical to OEM 1N4 ones.
Surprisingly, even TRW online catalogue makes confusion, because it shows many different tie rods compatible with both 1N2 and 1N4 OEM references, but only JTE440 and JTE441 are indicated to be the replacement part exclusively for 1N4 tie rods OEM references.
I will update this topic once I will have done this work as well.

[ciclo]

Thanks for the new update, looking forward to those results when possible.

[Jay-Jay]

This is getting frustrating.
I ordered other tie rods and compared all of them with OEM ones specific for 1N4 steering rack. None of them has the correct form factor.






As you can see none of them have the ball in the same position as the original one.
The position difference is about 5-6 mm, which is A LOT if you consider the entire lenght of the tie rod's arm, because it completely changes the angle at which the arm work, especially when close to the steering rack limit stops.
You also have to consider that 1N4 steering rack give more wheels angle when reaching limit stops. That's why the tie rods are specific and different from those for 1N2 steering rack.
What really surprises me is that big brands like TRW indicates the tie rods shown in my photos as equivalent OEM replacement parts for 1N4 steering rack.
Today or tomorrow I'm going to order a new pair of OEM ones directly from VW.
I know I'll pay them way more than the aftermarket ones, but I'm tired of not finding the right ones. And luckily I can return all the ones I bought.

[Le_Combattant]

That's why for this kind of stuff: VW

You spent more time, and some times money to get some aftermarket "equivalent" or "same as OEM" and 10000 miles later, they are dead.

VW: more expensive, for sure, but quality and durability is here.

[amer6R]

That's why for this kind of stuff: VW

You spent more time, and some times money to get some aftermarket "equivalent" or "same as OEM" and 10000 miles later, they are dead.

VW: more expensive, for sure, but quality and durability is here.

plastic cup inside... just buy trw its the same.

[Jay-Jay]

Guys, I'm not discussing built quality nor durability of these components.
Meyle offers "HD" components which are reinforced and use a bigger size ball, so in my opinion they are with no doubts better than OEM in terms of performance and durability.
I used Meyle HD products since many years and I can say this with my personal experience.

Instead, what I am talking about here is compatibility.
The photos I uploaded show that esclusively for PR-1N4 steering rack it seems like there are no aftermarket tie rods with the same form factor as the OEM ones. Even those sold by TRW, ehich appears to be the same manufacturer for the OEM ones!!!
Despite many aftermarket brands indicates their replacement part to be equivalent to the OEM part number, my photos show this is not true. But, I repeat it, it is a problem only with 1N4 steering rack.
If you have 1N2 steering rack, those aftermarket tie rods (especially the "HD" versions made by Meyle) are perfectly fine!

Anyway, I am waiting for the OEM tie rods to arrive at the VW shop. I'll upload this topic with some more comparation photos and as soon as I'll have some free time I'll update you with the installation results.

[Jay-Jay]

Today I took the new OEM tie rods specific for 1N4 steering rack.
Here are some comparation photos with the used tie rod I have.




As you can see, obviously they are identical.
Maybe next weekend I'll find some time to install them together with new tie rod's arms.
I'll keep you updated.

[ciclo]

Now everything should be fine after installation. Good luck!

[jammydodger]

Today I took the new OEM tie rods specific for 1N4 steering rack.
Here are some comparation photos with the used tie rod I have.




As you can see, obviously they are identical.
Maybe next weekend I'll find some time to install them together with new tie rod's arms.
I'll keep you updated.

Hi Jay-Jay - do you have the part numbers for the OEM 1N4 tie rods please?

[Jay-Jay]

Here they are:
Left: 6R0 423 811 A
Right: 6R0 423 812 A

I forgot to update this thread.
In the end I replaced tie rod end and steering links, but the weird resistance next to left/right steering stops remained.
I honestly don't know what else could be, but it doesn't really bothers me in daily use.
If it will get worse, maybe I will better understand what it is.
After ABS unit upgrade, car drives absolutely fine.
I even tested and pushed the car to its limits on a track session and it works good.

[jammydodger]

Thanks for confirming - are the steering links the same as normal Polo or are they different too?

I have a 6R GTI and notice the slight resistance at steering stops too to be honest but have an issue with a wandering feeling at highway speeds. I’ve replaced front drop links, lower control arm, ball joins and tie rod end but issue persists

[Jay-Jay]

Considering all the components you already replaced, I suggest you to:
- check engine/gearbox mounts and eventually replace them;
- check front top mounts nuts and eventually torque them.