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Fri Aug 15, 2014 8:00 am

1976 Westy. Working on replacing the center pin. I've removed the damper, which was completely shot, and the drag link. For the two tie rods, I have tried wheels on the ground, wheels off the ground and wheels barely touching the ground. I have broken two tie rod pullers trying to separate the tie rods from the relay arm. I haven't tried forks yet and don't really want to as they tear up the boots.

Question 1: Is there a trick to getting these off?
Question 2: Can I replace the center pin without removing the two tie rods?

Fri Aug 15, 2014 9:28 am

Yes, you can replace the center pin without removing any other steering components.

Colin Kellogg (amskeptic) had a nice procedure written up for that, but I can't find it here. Maybe it was on his forum site:
http://www.itinerant-air-cooled.com/viewforum.php?f=3

Fri Aug 15, 2014 9:57 am

Fri Aug 15, 2014 10:18 am

Yep with the draglink off the job is easy, the tierods certainly don't need to be removed.

Fri Aug 15, 2014 10:30 am

If you do end up needing to remove the tie rods, get one of these. Awesome puller. Pricey, but worth it. the thing is solid. I bought it and didn't regret it during my front beam rebuild i did this spring.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/171148079147?item=171148079147&viewitem=&vxp=mtr

Fri Aug 15, 2014 11:24 am

Cool. Tie rods are staying put!!!

Thanks

Fri Aug 15, 2014 4:37 pm

Guys, I've stripped three bolts trying to get it back together. Everything appears to be lined up just fine and i've got it completely clamped down. I'm out of bolts, any ideas?

Fri Aug 15, 2014 5:20 pm

aparrothead wrote: Guys, I've stripped three bolts trying to get it back together. Everything appears to be lined up just fine and i've got it completely clamped down. I'm out of bolts, any ideas?

It helps to have an alignment bar that is close to the same diameter as the bolt to help get the parts aligned. Maybe you could take one of your messed up bolts and grind all the threads off to make a custom alignment tool, use with care.

Make sure you haven't mess up the threads in the arm.

Fri Aug 15, 2014 5:55 pm

Hi
You need to clamp the swing lever to compress the beveled washer on the bottom of the pin. Then stick a big phillips screwdriver in the hole and align the cut out in the shaft with the bolt hole.
http://www.jerseylooker.com/FicheDump/EarlyBaywindow/4-022.jpg
http://www.jerseylooker.com/FicheDump/EarlyBaywindow/4-023.jpg
Center pin replacement

Sat Aug 16, 2014 4:15 am

I had the same issue. No idea why they designed it the way they did. I finally got that bolt in their by turning it very slowly. Even with that spring washer compressed it's a pain in the butt.

Sat Aug 16, 2014 6:12 am

I took my bushing to a local metal fab guy and he made me a custom fit punch for $20. I'll post a pic shortly of the tool.

Mon Aug 18, 2014 8:10 am

Finally got everything put back together. I don't like that the shoulder of the bolt doesn't ride in the notch of the pin. I might try and find a bolt with a real long shoulder.

Anyway, steering is tight but still a lot of play in the steering wheel which is from the worn out steering box. That will have to wait :D

Mon Aug 18, 2014 8:17 am

aparrothead wrote: Finally got everything put back together. I don't like that the shoulder of the bolt doesn't ride in the notch of the pin. I might try and find a bolt with a real long shoulder.

Anyway, steering is tight but still a lot of play in the steering wheel which is from the worn out steering box. That will have to wait :D

you sure that the box doesn't just need adjustment?

Did you clamp between the swing arm and head of the pin like it shows in Bentley when you installed it? The wavy washer has to be compressed or that play will become part of the play in the steering.

Mon Aug 18, 2014 1:04 pm

This was more of a job than I wanted to tackle. I had mine done by the local VW specialists in Denver for the cost of the part and 1 hour labor. Food for thought.

Mon Aug 18, 2014 7:29 pm

Pin is done correctly. When the steering engages, everything is tight. I've adjusted about all i can on the box. It'll do for now untill i can come up with a good box.