Why my Scirocco has a Mk1 GTI Steering Rack in it?
There are 3 different reasons why an early 1983-1984 Mk1 GTI steering rack in your late Mk2 Scirocco or Scirocco 16v. This would be a power steering rack, part number 175 422 055 B / 175422055b. But first a little history.
History:
During the 1980s, the primary manufacturers of power steering racks for Volkswagen vehicles (including Golf, Jetta, Scirocco, and Vanagon) were ZF (ZF Friedrichshafen AG) and TRW.
- ZF (ZF Lenksysteme): Known for supplying OEM steering systems, often identifiable by a crosshatch pattern on the casting and an aluminum construction.
- TRW: A major supplier that produced steering racks with a smooth, black body.
- Application: These suppliers provided the hydraulic power steering systems for 1980s models like the Rabbit/Cabriolet/Scirocco (Mk1/Mk2) and the Vanagon (1980–1991).
ZF & TRW Acqisition
The ZF Friedrichshafen AG corporation now owns TRW Automotive. ZF completed its acquisition of TRW for $12.4 billion on May 15, 2015. Following the acquisition, TRW was integrated into the ZF Group as a separate division, specifically focusing on Active and Passive Safety Technology.
Key details regarding the ownership:
- Structure: TRW became a wholly owned subsidiary of ZF.
- Integration: TRW is now part of the ZF Group and operates within their product brand portfolio, often referred to as ZF TRW.
- Result: The acquisition made the combined entity one of the world’s largest automotive suppliers.
TRW products, such as braking systems and steering components, are still marketed under the TRW brand within the ZF Aftermarket portfolio.
3 Reasons Why you have a Mk1 GTI Steering Rack:
The most likely reason is that someone probably pulled that part from a wrecking yard from Mk1 GTIs and installed it in your car at one point,
- These GTIs, made for the North America market, were assembled at the Westmoreland, PA VW plant. The plan was opened in 1980 thru 1985. Some parts were manufactured in the USA at the same time. TRW still to this day has a manufacturing plant in Sterling Heights Michigan.
- These GTIs, made for the North America market, were assembled at the Westmoreland, PA VW plant. The plan was opened in 1980 thru 1985. Some parts were manufactured in the USA at the same time. TRW still to this day has a manufacturing plant in Sterling Heights Michigan.
- You may have a factory rebuilt rack from TRW or ZF. Although, that is unlikely as they should have put an “X” at the end instead of a “B”.
After VW closed the Westmoreland plant in 1985, all their inventory ‘may’ have been sent back to Germany. They ‘may’ have used the surplus inventory in the production of Sciroccos and Cabriolets at the Karmann plant. Slightly unlikely, but still possible.
From what we have gathered, most of these racks never had a ZF logo cast into them. Moreover, we have never seen one to this dates. However, we have seen one or two TRW logo cast in a few. ZF now owns them.
Part Number Successions
Firstly, this part number “175 422 061 B” is a superseded part number. That applies to all Mk1s and Mk2s with power steering. Here is the chronological order of these part numbers:
- Original Part No: OE 175 422 055 B
- Supersedes to Part No: OE 175 422 055 C
- Supersedes to Part No: OE 175 422 063 A
- Supersedes to Part No: OE 175 422 061
- Supersedes to Part No: OE 175 422 061 X
- VW Factory Rebuilt (by ZF or TRW) NLA as of: Jun 1, 2010
- Supersedes to Part No: OE 175 422 061 A
- Supersedes to Part No: OE 172 422 061
- Supersedes to Part No: OE 175 422 061 AX
- VW Factory Rebuilt (by ZF or TRW)
- Supersedes to Part No: OE 175 422 063
