Steering column distress

Rocky_Samba · Posted: Mon Jun 11, 2012 3:19 pm Post subject: Steering column distress

So I have myself a laser 917 that I'm restoring. The PO trashed the previous VW column claiming it was falling apart, with intentions of putting a C4 corvette column in. I had some help in a previous thread but I can't find it now, blah blah and figured I'd better explain myself here.

So now it's my job to do so.. I've been learning more and more about this so I think I am beginning to understand what to do.
Ok, the steering column is a straight shot to the steering box, so I think that I do not need any U-joints as they would serve no purpose. So, I have discovered that the end of my corvette column is a female version of a D shaft.
This picture is what I found when I lifted the front to see what was going on with the steering box
Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.

Here's my idea:

Get a Double D shaft and cut to size. I'm guessing it fits into my steering column. Then get an adapter, D to spline. Like this one: http://www.summitracing.com/parts/IDT-3000313449/?rtype=10
Then, fit this coupler into the spline end of the adapter and bolt it to the red thing. http://www.ebay.com/itm/Steering-Coupler-Male-End-...172wt_1396

Any help is greatly appreciated. I really don't care for this corvette column but I seem to be stuck with it. Buying a new column is quite expensive.

BL3Manx · Posted: Mon Jun 11, 2012 3:31 pm Post subject:

The red polyurethane thing is absolutely dangerous, it can and likely will catastrophically fail without warning leaving you with zero steering. It should be replaced with the OEM fiber reinforced rubber (rag joint) part.

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=372691

http://www2.cip1.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=VWC-111-415-417-MX

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=1308394

I'm not sure what a D or DD shaft is, but I kinda doubt that "universal" adapter will fit the VW stub, it has 60 splines and 16mm diameter.

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=374437&highlight=steering+box+splines

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=428920&highlight=steering+joint

You probably won't find anything that will attach directly to the VW steering box shaft other than a VW column, unless you get lucky in a junkyard. You should probably machine/weld something to the ebay piece which will fit something commonly available.

didget69 · Posted: Mon Jun 11, 2012 4:13 pm Post subject:

Steering joints can have 'D' or 'double D' shafts that they mate to.

Double D - http://i.ebayimg.com/t/SWEET-RACING-STEERING-UNIVE...%28KGrHqR,!joE6J6lUy2NBOuVMm0I%28w~~60_57.JPG

Obviously, 'D' would be a round shaft with one flat machined on one side, as opposedto the Double D; a round shaft with flats machined parallel on opposite sides of shaft - either of these are used in lieu of splines -

Column from Speedway Motors with Double D mating shaft end -

http://static.speedwaymotors.com/RS/SR/Alternative/91032311~2_L.jpg

bryan
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dan macmillan · Posted: Mon Jun 11, 2012 4:18 pm Post subject:

You would be better to use a double u-jointed collapsable intermediate shaft, especially when it is a straight shot. Without joints the steering shaft becomes a spear in a front end collision. With 2 joints the shaft gets deflected as it collapses. There are lots of options in the wrecking yards.
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73SpeedBuggy · Posted: Mon Jun 11, 2012 4:58 pm Post subject:

didget69 · Posted: Mon Jun 11, 2012 5:06 pm Post subject:

Rocky_Samba · Posted: Mon Jun 11, 2012 5:11 pm Post subject:

Lots of great information, it's a DD shaft that I would need to fit into the corvette column.

I don't like the idea of having a spear in my face if something happens but then again this car is the next best thing to a motorcycle as far as safety is concerned..

So my issue with using a u-joint or anything else is I still don't understand how I am going to get the column to turn the steering box. Can I remove that urethane thing and have a U-joint bolt straight to it or something? I believe I am missing something when you guys explain this to me.

didget69 · Posted: Mon Jun 11, 2012 5:18 pm Post subject:

BL3Manx · Posted: Mon Jun 11, 2012 5:24 pm Post subject:

Rocky_Samba · Posted: Mon Jun 11, 2012 5:26 pm Post subject:

BL3Manx · Posted: Mon Jun 11, 2012 5:30 pm Post subject:

The super beetle flex joint doesn't fit the earlier VW steering box shaft.

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=411286

didget69 · Posted: Mon Jun 11, 2012 5:30 pm Post subject:

Rocky_Samba · Posted: Mon Jun 11, 2012 5:38 pm Post subject:

Sounds to me like my best bet would be to get a DD shaft, double U-joint, bore out the steering column side, fit the ebay item in, weld that, and couple to the rag joint.. I wish there was an easier way. It doesn't sound like a double U-joint exists that fits directly to the steering box

Or get a vw column. But even then I would have to extend it as the stock on doesn't reach far enough. Ugh!!

BL3Manx · Posted: Mon Jun 11, 2012 5:39 pm Post subject:

I don't think anyone has ever found any steering shaft with universal joints that will directly attach to the 16mm X 60 spline stub on the VW steering box.

You need to change/modify the shaft into something that an available universal joint will fit, like jspbtown did.

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=375179

sbussard · Posted: Mon Jun 11, 2012 6:44 pm Post subject:

I had similar questions with a Flaming River column. This is the route I plan on taking. I purchased the parts, but haven't got to that part of my build yet. It looks like the spline joint will be able to be pressed on, but it's going to be very tight. This keeps the stock rag joint and adapter from the rag joint to the steering box.

Thanks go to ckloek, he posted this in Frances build thread.

From chloek "part# for the u-joint is FLA-FR1735DD it is a 1"DD X 5/8" 36 spline it is a tight fit, i used a press to get it together with the ragjoint but i guarentee you will never have to worry about it coming apart"

Here's the pic chloek posted.

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.

The corvette column may have a different diameter DD fitting than the Flaming River column.

Hope this helps,
Scott

Dale M. · Posted: Mon Jun 11, 2012 8:24 pm Post subject:

Some possible solutions...

http://www.speedwaymotors.com/search-steering-shaft-universal-joint.html

http://www.jegs.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Keyw...&Nty=0

Dale
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Dale M. · Posted: Mon Jun 11, 2012 8:26 pm Post subject:

Some possible solutions...

http://www.speedwaymotors.com/search-steering-shaft-universal-joint.html

http://www.jegs.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Keyw...&Nty=0

Find something close drill out splines and weld it on....

Dale
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1970 "Kellison Sand Piper Roadster" For Street & Show.

All suggestions and advice are purely my own opinion. You are free to ignore them if you wish ...

jspbtown · Samba Member Joined: January 27, 2004 Posts: 2735

I personally like

www.borgeson.com

Great people to deal with. They get the product out right away. Good catalog too. In the picture posted on my set up (I have used it twice now) I used all Borgeson products. They are built extremely well.

BL3Manx · Posted: Tue Jun 12, 2012 7:35 am Post subject:

I think totally doing away with the rag joint by using two U-joints is an advantage too.

didget69 · Posted: Tue Jun 12, 2012 8:27 am Post subject:

No mo' rag joint...

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.

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