TheSamba.com :: View topic

Wed Jul 18, 2007 5:23 am

It seems that my steering box has more slop when turned to the left, and tightens up when turned to the right. Driving straight is just right. What's the problem? This is the second rebuilt box that I have installed. The first one had a similar problem, but a lot worse.

I'm leaning at buying a new box if there is a third time replacincing it. Any recommendations where to buy, and which is the best? I've heard that there are a lot of cheap copies out there...

Wed Jul 18, 2007 7:52 am

I thought the TRW box was the only new one sold..... pretty much the same wherever you get it from. Quality doesn't seem to be that great on them though, I put one in my baja a couple of years ago - and recently noticed when adjusting it, that it's got some play in the output shaft already.

Wed Jul 18, 2007 10:25 am

I gotta say "Quit buying rebuilt boxes!" I only know one company that sells them and they are crap. Go for the new TRW box.

Thu Jul 19, 2007 11:40 am

I've found three different steering boxes, all for around the same price:

TRW
Ampri
Varga

What's the word about these different brands?

Thu Jul 19, 2007 12:48 pm

Got links to these for sale? I'm not sure if they are completely different makes or just same part just repackaged by the different company/distributor.

Thu Jul 19, 2007 7:48 pm

Here's what I've found:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi...0144097147

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=174308

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=405393

Thu Jul 19, 2007 9:23 pm

"It seems that my steering box has more slop when turned to the left, and tightens up when turned to the right."

It should be symmetric, whether new or rebuilt. It sounds like the unit is not centered when you install it. Lift the front end, and see if it has the same travel left and right. If someone repositioned your steering wheel, and later changed the tie rod adjustments, this might be the result.

Fri Jul 20, 2007 1:52 am

Well that one sitting on the Varga-logo box, that's a TRW unit, the "T" inside the triangle is found on TRW boxes. Not sure about the Mofoco unit, but it looks like it could be a TRW too.

Thu Jul 26, 2007 12:37 pm

I've ordered a new TRW box. What are the procedures for "centering" and installing it correctly? My understanding is that I may have to have the tie rods adjusted to match the box?

Thanks...