VR6 Steering rack identification

[mb1907953]

I know this is a topic that has been covered a number of times on the net but I'm a bit confused... I was under the impression that all vr6s had ZF steering racks which had the obvious waffle look to them but mine is definitely smooth? It's a 1997 model so did they change after a certain build year or has it just been repalced some time in the past?

Either way, does anyone know how to tell what tie rods to get.... I need to get a hold of new inner tie rods and dont want to go and buy the wrong ones. I have the old ones out (ball joints are dry as hell, no wonder they're shot) so if anyone knows how to identify which ones they are, that'd be great. Can't see a part number anywhere unfortunately.

[mb1907953]

So it turns out its a TRW steering boot.... Says so and heres a photo. Any ideas? Need to order this ASAP.

[Tom93]

maybe someones replaced it already? when i did the vento i used ZF boots on that vr steering rack

[mb1907953]

maybe someones replaced it already? when i did the vento i used ZF boots on that vr steering rack

That's what I'm thinking, and maybe they replaced it with TRW instead of a ZF.... Whats the differences between the ZF and TRW inner tie rods? Does anyone know?

[dylan8]

dunno but id be keen to know!
remember having this problem when trying to order parts for mine and the car was 3hrs drive away so didnt know what was in it

[mb1907953]

Well I've found a part number for the rack... But still no clue whether its meant to have the ZF or TRW inner rods.

1H2 422 061X is the number. Cannot believe how difficult this is! it must be a replacement rack of some sort.

[mb1907953]

ok so i'm fairly confident its a TRW rack. Have looked at a number of photos and just got confused because the LHD TRW racks look different. Weird that mine would have a TRW... Oh well, guess I missed out on the ZF