1997 Mexibeetle steering wheel adapter

[diverigor]

Does anyone know what Grant or Momo steering wheel adapter fits a 1997 Mexican Beetle? I've purchased two different adapters from Grant with no success. Is it the same as a late model Super Beetle? The interesting thing about a 1997 Mexican VW is that some parts from a 68 Giha fit, it has a swing axel, not an IRS, but a ball joint front end. I have been able to purchase many parts including hydraulic lifters from Mexico, but the steering wheel adapter still remains a mystery.

[Bruce]

I am not sure, but I think it uses the same steering wheel spline as 74 and later German cars. That is the same as late model water cooled VWs.
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[diverigor]

Bruce,

Thanks for your input. The spline is larger in diameter that the old beetles and has a fairly short taper. I have pictures that I can email you if you can confirm that it is the same as later watercooled by looking.

[DrDarby]

I can add that the steering wheel, ignition switch, turn and wiper switches and housing(s) are the same as a 1988-1993 VW Fox and 85-87 Base Golf / Jetta.
A wheel adapter for that model water cooled car should be the same as the upper column is the same.
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Midwest Autosavers, Inc. Crystal Lake, IL

[diverigor]

Terriffic! Thanks for the information. I live in the Bahamas and not only are parts something I have to order on-line, but duty is 60% and shipping is expensive, so the right part the first time is a good thing!

[ratspud]

I'd think about getting a boat before getting that bug going. It looks like you guys are catching hell from these hurricanes. I hope you guys are OK down there.
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74 standard beetle
1776 built by KSR with dual 36 dellortos
4" narrowed beam

[diverigor]

Got that right! Funny thing is we've taken the small boats out of the water and epoxied SS eye bolts into the rock and ratchet strapped the boats down so they won't blow away. The big boats are as secure as we can make them on the water. If we get hit with 145 MPH wind, we'll be lucky if the roof stays on the house and the shop staying intact. Sunday and Monday will be the challenging days with IKE. Hanna was not such a big problem, 60 MPH wind and high water, but not so high we couldn't deal with it.

[chicagovw]

I guess the base Golf/Jetta is different than the GTI-I pulled steering wheel out of a 90GTI and it did not fit on my '90 Mexi.

[diverigor]

To those interested in this subject. I ordered the Grant #3568 steering wheel adapter that fits an 86 Golf and at first glance I thought it would work. But, after pulling the steering wheel I could see that it was not even close. The 1997 Mexican beetle has a much larger diameter cone, spline, and straight section. I can measure these diameters and I have pictures, but does anyone have any other idea as to what adapter I can order? Here's the hassle for me, I live on a small island in the Bahamas, no automotive stores exist here, I ordered the part from Summit, had it sent to my daughter, that happened to be coming for a visit from Reno, NV. The next visiter is coming in November, so that is the next shot I have at getting the correct adapter. To date I have ordered four adapters and not one has fit. This is getting expensive...
Thanks.

[Antonio Trejo]

Try this:
Genuine Volkswagen of Mexico Beetle steering wheel adapter part No. 191 419 514 A

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Parts VW
"From Volkswagen of Mexico factory..."
Genuine VW Sedan parts
Genuine VW Ultima Edition parts
Genuine VW Type 2 watercooled parts

[diverigor]

Antonio,
Thanks for your input. I'll measure the spline that is on my car and compare to your picture.
On another note: Thanks for your prompt service on the hydraulic lifters. They look perfect and I will be installing them soon. I actually got them to the island, via a friends sailboat, just yesterday!!

[missionaviator]

Diverigor, did you ever find an adaptor that fit? I'm in the same boat as you over here in Belize. We can't just run run down to the local Buggy shop and try different ones, until we find one that works. I've got a Grant wheel waiting to be mounted, and my steering column too is from a Mexibeetle. Please post any P/N's you've found that work. Thanks.

Looks like we're finally getting out of Hurricane season! You got the big ones, but we've got crazy flooding from the tropical storms and depressions. 80 something villages here are under water right now.
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"There are many brilliant and profound quotes out there....but this isn't one of them"

[diverigor]

Missionavaitor,

I hope you're right about the hurricane season being over. I'm pulling our Pro 42 dive boat out of it's safe haven and getting it ready for the season tomorrow.

As to the Mexibeetle adapter, nothing so far. I've tried four different Grant adapters, two models after the recommendations from this string with no luck. I have a small metal lathe that I'm going to sit in front of for a few hours and try to machine my own adapter from a piece of 2 1/2" aluminum round stock. Like I say the lathe is small and not much power, but I may be able to squeak out an adapter.

If you find something that works, let me know. The picture of the adapter from Antionio looks just like the stub that I'm trying to adapt to, rather than the female part that the Grant steering wheel would fit to.

All the best,
Kris

[missionaviator]

I just called Grant, and it was a waste of an international call. They don't know. I may just have to Frankenstein something on there. I'll keep you posted.
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"There are many brilliant and profound quotes out there....but this isn't one of them"

[diverigor]

I hear ya! We just got DSL on our island which now gives us the ability to use Skype for international calls. I can call the USA for just over 2 cents per minute! We used to pay nearly $1.50 per minute with Batelco. If you have DSL in Belize, I highly recommend you download Skype.

Bummer Grant does not have an adapter. Have you looked at MoMo wheels and adapters?

[Bruce]

Maybe you could measure the OD of the splines and let us know. Then someone might be able to check the parts from a German car.
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[MURZI]

With limited tools and access to things could you force the adapter on the shaft...even it means grinding down the splines in it?? You could then take a drill and drill out some recesses down the side of the shaft and adapter and drive in roll pins(similar to a sqaurestock keyway)....or drill through the shaft and adpater sideways and install a grade 8 bolt?? I know it is back woods engineering, but I am good at that
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62 vert
2276
Tim’s welded heads
45 Dells
A1 sidewinder
Fk44 cam

[missionaviator]

Backwoods engineering is respected here. I got mine worked out for now. I was able to modify a funky adaptor that I bought on an even funkier old steering wheel from a guy up in Southern Mexico. It had already been modified at least once, so I followed suit, and made it work with my Grant. I'm still pursuing the proper adaptor though.
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"There are many brilliant and profound quotes out there....but this isn't one of them"

[alikatcraig]

I'll try to check out my '97 tomorrow. I have a Momo on my '85 Mexi, which is the same as a MK11 Golf/Jetta (from memory). It should be the same as one of the VW range, as they didn't go and re-invent the wheel here. The factory steering wheels from Mexico were pretty good looking in their own right.

Al
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1967 Ghia
1971 Deluxe Microbus
1974 Convertible Bug
1973 Standard Bug
1998 Mexican Bug

[Bruce]