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Mon Jun 18, 2012 4:26 pm

I'm trying to pinpoint a knocking/rattle sound on my Bus. I just went through just about my whole front end and most everything is very tight.

I started to hear a knock/rattle on bumpy roads - not loud, kind of hollow sound. Thought it might be my Westy bracket making noise but it's definitely coming from down below. Sounds like right below my feet/butt.

I thought it was the emergency brake cable spreader bar hitting my shift rod on bumps but that's not it.

Now I notice that when I turn my steering wheel back and forth a bit (when parked) I hear a knock coming from right where the steering box is. Happens when my wheels are straight or turned. So I guess I have to deduce it's coming from the steering box? Or is there a lower steering column bearing I don't know about?

My steering box looks to be in good shape; I suspect it's been replaced; My steering is pretty darn tight also. I adjusted my steering box with the Bus jacked up, drag link disconnected and an inch-pound torque wrench as per Bentley.

I just tried tightening the steering box to see if that would change the sound, but it didn't.

So... is it time for a new steering box? Should I try adding fluid/grease/mix/??? My steering box has a badge with VW stamp 211 415 049F

And... I want to go fishing/camping tomorrow for two days; I hit some bad roads... should I take my toyota? :(

Thanks -

Mon Jun 18, 2012 4:34 pm

OK I did some more searching and found this thread -

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=2...mp;start=0

Dansvans says no worries... (don't see him here so much anymore...)

Desertbusman brings up the horizontal shaft from steering box to drop arm - I checked this for play earlier this year and I didn't see any at all.

So... is it just my box internals or could it be invisible play on the box/arm shaft? Any ways to determine? Either way I guess I'm good for a few more dirt roads...?

EDIT: I just went out and the sound/vibration is definitely coming from the steering box. Fluid was fine too - filled to the top.

So... new box?

Mon Jun 18, 2012 6:22 pm

ccpalmer wrote: OK I did some more searching and found this thread -

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=2...mp;start=0

Dansvans says no worries... (don't see him here so much anymore...)

Desertbusman brings up the horizontal shaft from steering box to drop arm - I checked this for play earlier this year and I didn't see any at all.

Very little wear in the bore or on the shaft can do it Chris. We're talking just a couple thousandths wear. Too small of an amount to really see. Touching the gap and you can feel it. If that's what it is there is no problem except for the noise.

Mon Jun 18, 2012 6:31 pm

Desertbusman wrote: ccpalmer wrote: OK I did some more searching and found this thread -

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=2...mp;start=0

Dansvans says no worries... (don't see him here so much anymore...)

Desertbusman brings up the horizontal shaft from steering box to drop arm - I checked this for play earlier this year and I didn't see any at all.

Very little wear in the bore or on the shaft can do it Chris. We're talking just a couple thousandths wear. Too small of an amount to really see. Touching the gap and you can feel it. If that's what it is there is no problem except for the noise.

I really thought I could feel the vibration in the box, but I'll check again in the morning.

I assume a new steering box will resolve that problem if it's the shaft? How do I know if it is the bore or the shaft?

Thanks - guess I'm gonna drive the Bus to fish tomorrow but that sound is bugging me... big fly trout season is over in a week...