2G Front subframe issues

[wolfyslove]

Okay, so I'm in a bit of a dilemma here as I need to get this done as soon as possible. I looked for anything like this and i found nothing, i've been a member for awhile but haven't actually used the site other than looking and drooling over peoples builds. Not until recently did i get my hands on a dsm again and it's my first TSI AWD and a lot of what i'm doing is uncharted territory for me as i haven't ever dug this far before, never had to.

I currently have a broken leg and was not the one to do the work on the car in the beginning and i wasn't supervising and i'm having issues putting everything back together. It very well could be me just missing it as it is right in front of my face and i would not be in the least bit surprised if that is the case as i'm blind as they come.

It took me awhile to get the subframe back from a "buddy" (use term loosely as it seemed he was trying to shaft me) but now that i have it back i can't seem to figure a couple things out. So here are my problems as follows:

Problem 1: As it was sitting for awhile and getting in and out of it and moving around cleaning up the interior the steering wheelhas been moved. As you know there is a shaft that connects to the steering knuckle (or whatever it's called) that is on the subframe. As i stated above i'm sure the steering wheel has moved a few times in a circle and i couldn't say an exact number. Is that going to cause an issue with my steering if something isn't perfect.

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Problem 2: There are 2 bolt holes on the back side of the intake manifold that the subframe would normally block view to. What bolts on to there

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Problem 3: The two lines off of the firewall on the drivers side, i can't seem to figure out what goes there and what it's coming off of

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Problem 4: If there is anything else that i should know please speak now as i will be going out tomorrow to hopefully get this thing on the ground after nearly a year. (Broken leg has made it nearly impossible to do anything)

Lastly, he took apart my center console, i'm not sure for what reason but if there is anything that has to do with this please tell me what it would be because i found nothing in there that would have needed to be done. But if i happen to be missing something or not see something in plain view please let me know before i go ahead and put the center console back together.



This car is rusty, i'm aware, worth my time or not i need it done so i can move out of this house. So please keep the negative comments to yourself as i'm here just to get this thing finished. Any and all help would be appreciated and if possible if someone could maybe give me a summarized step by step as to what i need to do to finish this that would be MUCH appreciated. We are a community and we are stronger together!

Thank you all in advanced

Brandon

 

[Paintballaa5]

Problem #1 - I had the same issue. Subframe was out for a long time and steering wheel got bumped a time or two. You can do it on the ground or once the subframe is back in the car with the rack in place..

(Disclaimer: I'm not sure if the 2g has a stopper in the steering mechanism.. In my 1g I can spin my wheel around infinite times. But this car has been gutted, so I can't say if something was removed.. Verify you can do so, and then you are good to continue)

I did it with the rack mounted. You can use a wrench or something if you do it on the ground.

1- Use the steering wheel(or wrench) to spin the wheels all the way to one lock.
2- Spin it to the other lock and count exactly how many turns it takes to get there. (example: 2.5 turns)
**be precise!**
3- Divide that number by 2 (example: 1.25)
4- Rotate it that amount to center the rack itself.

Then pull the steering shaft off the rack, and center your wheel. Re-attach.

Problem #2 - That looks to be the intake manifold support bracket. It bolts to the bottom of the manifold, and to the back of the block.

Problem #3 - Looks like power steering, or AC.. Can't help you there as I have neither

 

[wolfyslove]

I can't say for sure how many times it goes to the left, but I counted 40 and then went back because it wasn't stopping. But there is a stopper if I go right.

So for the intake manifold I'm basically just going to put 2 bolts in there again as the bracket is already there?

And I figured out the power steering lines. It just looked like the lines were so large coming off the rack it had me really confused. I was looking around frantically making sure nothing got stolen and it had me not focused 100%.

 

[Paintballaa5]

I can't say for sure how many times it goes to the left, but I counted 40 and then went back because it wasn't stopping. But there is a stopper if I go right.

So for the intake manifold I'm basically just going to put 2 bolts in there again as the bracket is already there?

And I figured out the power steering lines. It just looked like the lines were so large coming off the rack it had me really confused. I was looking around frantically making sure nothing got stolen and it had me not focused 100%.

I couldn't tell you if there is a stopper man.. My car doesn't have airbags or anything. So I'm really not sure if someone removed something. But I'd say center the steering shaft within it's parameters as best you can. The rack can be done on the ground too though, I just think it's easier (and you don't risk hurting the splines) with the steering wheel. Just put some vise grips or adjustable wrench on it. Don't smash the splines though!

And yea that looks like the correct bracket, go ahead and add the bolts. Should be M10 x 1.25 x 16mm bolts. You can get away with not using it though.

 

[wolfyslove]

Okay, I'm headed to an appointment now for my leg but when I get back I have to drill something bigger and then I'm going to get the Subframe back in. Thank you for all your help!


What about the center console though? Do you have any idea why he would take that out? Possibly thought something was in there and there wasn't?

 

[wolfyslove]

Okay, so the guy that was supposed to tap out the holes for the curved lower control arm ended up cutting off the nut and rewelding a new one in and blah blah blah. Story is that i just had to drill it out bigger and get it to fit myself, now that is all good. Waiting on a hand to help me get it all put back in as it is much easier with two people rather than just myself.

Getting the steering rack hooked back up is probably going to be the biggest part of my troubles here, but i'm a bit confused on the shift linkage. I haven't really done anything with a transmission before as i know they can be a pain, i did one and pretty much said no to doing one again after the troubles i had with that 3rd gen. So if anyone could tell me how the shift linkage goes back in and what order the pieces go in that would be great. Otherwise i'm nearly there!

 

[Paintballaa5]

Trans side or shifter side? It's pretty simple. The cable end just slides onto the poles on the transmission. Theres a hole to put a cotter pin, or a hitch pin, or I guess even just a piece of wire you can run through and bend to hold it in place.

The shifter side is pretty much the same thing.