[raygon]

I have spent the whole of today looking for a crowsfoot socket 38mm or 1.5 inch with any drive, to remove the trackrod end at the rack.
There are no such sockets in the whole of the UK, the only people that have this socket are VW and guess what they won't sell it to you.
Tried every tool company or importer in the UK.Snap on have one but they don't import to the UK(3-4 weeks) .McMaster have one but they are US based.

Help! Does any one in the UK know of where I can lay my hands on such a tool.
Next step may be angle grinding the trackrod of at the ball joint neck and using a normal socket ,if that is available .

 

[stealthx32]

Try eBay?

 

[crew217]

uhhhhhh what is a track rod?

 

[1.8tbeout]

tie rod end?

 

[raygon]

It's the thing that point your car away from the edge!
Good to see you guys have a sense of humour(not)

 

[b5-turbonium]

uhhhhhh what is a track rod?

its a panhard rod, linkage on the axel which runs from side to side, one end is attatched to the body and the other is connected to the axel, also called a track bar.

 

[PZ]

What he needs is an inner tie rod end remover.

 

[raygon]

Ebay saved me a lot of grief .thanks for the tip
I managed to contact somone with a snap-on 1.5 inch socket crowsfoot for sale and got the job done the next day.Easy when you have the right tools.
It is somewhat surprising how badly worn the ball joint was on the track rod.I would strongly advise a check on your car if it is a 98 B5,it is probably masked by the steering damper that the rack has.
Also make sure you get the correct gaiter for the rack if it is damaged the chassis number around 98 means 2 possiblities exist .The only way is to take the old one to the VW parts dealer.