Repair of VW Passat B6 steering rack control unit

Passat B6, which came in 2005 to replace its popular predecessor B5, on the one hand had many innovations designed to make this mass-market car not only utilitarian, but also comfortable, and on the other hand returned to a more classic layout of this particular model, as well as the front-wheel drive car in general. B5 was built on the same platform with Audi A4, respectively, had a longitudinal location of the steering wheel. And B6 again took the platform from «Golf», with transverse unit – as before on B2, 3, 4. This led to the use of other components – including an electric steering rack.

Passat B6 steering rack features

Volkswagen Passat B6 was the first generation of the model, where the manufacturer abandoned hydraulic power steering in favour of electric. The advantages of the electric scheme are obvious:

• compactness;
• no need to dock with an internal combustion engine;
• clearer feedback to the driver;
• diagnostic capability;
• working with assistant systems;
• fuel economy.

The main disadvantage of the electric steering rack – its limited repairability. Very often when there are problems on the electronic part (which, due to the peculiarities of the design manifest themselves much more often than mechanical) the unit is declared unrepairable and recommended its replacement. This solution is quite expensive and not always affordable for many owners of used cars.

But very often the approach is dictated not by the real situation, but by the unwillingness or incompetence of repair shops. Meanwhile, Passat B6 electric rails can and should be restored – which proves the professional experience of STS specialists.

Applicability and modifications

Depending on the modification and year of manufacture, the Volkswagen Passat B6 was equipped with three different electric steering racks, interchangeable in their entirety, but differing from each other both in design and functionality. The so-called first and second generations of the rack are visually very similar, only the steering position sensors and software differ. The third generation has a different control unit – a more regular rectangular shape, slightly larger in size.

Besides Passat of 2005-10 years of production, steering rack with EPS VW413.NL00.R (ZF) and its analogues were also installed on other cars of VAG concern:

• Volkswagen Tiguan 2008-16
• Volkswagen Touran 2010-15
• Audi Q3 2011-18
• Seat Alhambra 2010-22

So steering problems and solutions will be relevant for these models as well.

Main Volkswagen Passat B6 steering rack control unit problems

If the failure of the mechanical part of the steering rack has more diverse symptoms (knocks, squeaks, vibrations), the driver learns about the failure of electronic equipment by the appearance of a yellow or red steering wheel icon on the dashboard, as well as by the significantly increased force required to turn the steering mechanism. This means that the electric power steering has failed. This means that the power steering system has failed. You must not continue driving with this failure and should contact a specialist workshop as soon as possible.

The reasons for the failure of the Passat B6 steering rack control unit are quite simple. Although here, unlike some Audi or BMW cars, the rack is not the lowest point of the car, and is covered by levers, protective covers and a beam, it is still not a complete guarantee against moisture getting inside the unit. This leads to corrosion of the components, short circuits and malfunctioning electronics.

Failures occur in the following cases:

• impacts in road accidents, collisions with obstacles;
• leaks at the junction of the block cover and the rail housing;
• loss of contact due to vibration, poor quality soldering;
• natural wear of components.

Where to repair the steering rack control unit

Many companies, including official service stations VW, are not engaged in the repair of the electronics of the steering rack, offering in this case to replace it as an assembly. Self-repair of the node is possible, but very difficult. There are a lot of nuances, starting from the stage of dismantling the rack from the car, ending with the restoration of the electrical part, which without experience and knowledge of the circuit is very difficult to perform.

For example, it may be enough to solder a couple of jumpers, clean and dry the block contacts, then replace the cover and apply a new sealant to restore the unit's functionality. Such work will cost much cheaper, but where to do it? At STS, of course! What sets us apart is our comprehensive and complete approach to repair, as well as our many years of experience in servicing and regenerating high-tech vehicle components.

The repair of electric steering racks, including their control units, in our company takes place in several stages:

• complete disassembly and defects of all components of the unit;
• cleaning of all parts, mechanical and electronic, from dirt and corrosion;
• replacement, if necessary, the board of field-effect transistors on elements of its own design or the entire control unit on a reconditioned;
• replacement of the field-effect transistors on elements of its own design;
• testing the reconditioned electric amplifier on a special bench;
• application of sealant, replacement of all seals (dust covers, clamps) with new ones;

Also, our company  STS always has in stock remanufactured, fully functional steering racks of our own brand for both Volkswagen Passat B6 and any other car models. Our customers receive a repaired unit, which is not inferior to the factory rack, and in terms of further repairability even surpasses it, at a price much lower than that of a new part.