Question About Steering Box

WD0AFQ · Posted: Sat Dec 06, 2008 4:20 pm Post subject: Question About Steering Box

When I center up my steering box it does not line up with the flat spot on the pitman. How do I get the steering to hook up once the box is centered, with the wheels pointing straight ahead? I have 2 turns one way and 1 turn the other. I need to "even it out". I can not figure out where to make my adjustment. I hope this makes sense.
Thanks,
Dan
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66 baja

http://www.danandteri.blogspot.com

glutamodo · Posted: Sat Dec 06, 2008 5:01 pm Post subject:

You mean, when the steering box is centered the wheels are not? You need to loosen all the tie rod adjustment lock nuts, then lengthen one tie rod and and shorten the other, til you've pulled the wheels straight.

WD0AFQ · Posted: Sat Dec 06, 2008 5:06 pm Post subject:

That is exactly what I mean. I was hoping there was an easier way but I guess that is it. I appreciate your response.
Dan
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66 baja

http://www.danandteri.blogspot.com

glutamodo · Posted: Sat Dec 06, 2008 5:13 pm Post subject:

Well, it's a PITA if the tie rods are hard to turn, for sure. If it was off just by a little bit, you can sometimes get away with repositioning the steering wheel.

But... VW didn't even want people doing that....

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

WD0AFQ · Posted: Sat Dec 06, 2008 5:27 pm Post subject:

That is it. Mine is half a wheel off. When I catch a warm day will pull the tank and fix it. They are not stuck, have turned them already. We may have messed them up setting the toe. Or, they may have been that way when I bought it. Have done so much work on it I just don't know. Didn't notice it until I put the new gear box on. It drives perfect going down the road but it is obvious that I have not got it right. 70 mph, I can drive it with one finger. When I got it I could not keep it in the road with both hands at 50 mph. I really appreciate you taking the time to help me out here.
Dan
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66 baja

http://www.danandteri.blogspot.com

Russ Wolfe · Posted: Sat Dec 06, 2008 5:56 pm Post subject:

There is a mark on the steering box, and a mark on the input shaft that marks the center of the steering box.
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Blu67Bug · Posted: Sun Dec 07, 2008 7:57 am Post subject:

Russ, I've read that about the steering box/shaft, but I haven't been able to find those marks. Shocked

Where should I be looking? Right side of box, Left side of box, Bottom side of box? A picture of those marks lined up would be great if anyone has that. Thanks. Very Happy

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'67s Rule & '71 Buses Too!

seanboy69 · Posted: Sun Dec 07, 2008 8:03 am Post subject: Question About Steering Box

Well the other day my dad saw the rag joint, steering coupler on the steering shaft. He told me to order a new one. And make sure to mark it before I take it off because if I dont put it back together the steering will be way off.
So did anyone take your steering coupler off recently??
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In a sea of american muscle there is alittle bug hiding in the corner...
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WD0AFQ · Posted: Sun Dec 07, 2008 8:21 am Post subject:

I too would like to see a picture of the marks. I am not going to say that mine does not have them but I have installed 2 gear boxes, of late, and I could not find any marks. It is not a problem for me to find the center but I had a heck of a time, so far, lining up the front wheels with center of box so I can get pitman back on.
Dan
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66 baja

http://www.danandteri.blogspot.com

glutamodo · Posted: Sun Dec 07, 2008 10:39 am Post subject:

I've seen the note in the service manual. It leads me to belive it was a painted-on mark. I've still got an original box out of my 62 on the shelf here and I can't find any such mark on it, but I likely erased it when I wire-wheeled all the grime off of it. I know I saw no such mark on the new box I put in there.

KTPhil · Posted: Sun Dec 07, 2008 11:36 am Post subject:

Early cars were marked with an "electric pencil" or scriber. Later models had an undersize ring pressed on, which has a line or groove in it to show center.

If you have nothing, you can get close by turning it full right or left, counting turns VERY carefully, and centering it between the stops. This is only an approximation; to do it right you need the VW280 jig, which is very rare. You may be able to manually feel for the center of the play-free position but you probably need a fair amount of experience to feel it correctly.

Is this a new box? They are only about $100.

Russ Wolfe · Posted: Sun Dec 07, 2008 12:38 pm Post subject:

New boxes may not have the marks. No telling where they are actually made.
Let me dig around in my literature, and see id I can come up with a picture.
_________________
Society is like stew. If you don't keep it stirred up, you end up with a lot of scum on the top!--Edward Abbey

Gary: OK. Ima poop.

Russ Wolfe · Posted: Sun Dec 07, 2008 12:59 pm Post subject:

Found it. This is from the factory frontend manual.

_________________
Society is like stew. If you don't keep it stirred up, you end up with a lot of scum on the top!--Edward Abbey

Gary: OK. Ima poop.

KTPhil · Posted: Sun Dec 07, 2008 1:07 pm Post subject:

That looks like the late style (two plastic plugs) with the marking ring.

Russ Wolfe · Posted: Sun Dec 07, 2008 1:18 pm Post subject:

If he does not have the ring, then he should have the engraved/chisel mark.
He should be able to see it through the inspection plate.
_________________
Society is like stew. If you don't keep it stirred up, you end up with a lot of scum on the top!--Edward Abbey

Gary: OK. Ima poop.

glutamodo · Posted: Sun Dec 07, 2008 2:02 pm Post subject:

I just dug out my old box from my 1/62 bug and polished the hell out of that shaft looking for a mark. I did find a mark... but when counting turns (about 1.6 from either lock) that mark wasn't on. When centered that way, there was however, a VW stamp and a letter B that were right in line. (it also "felt" centered there as I turned it, too)

Here's a picture.

WD0AFQ · Posted: Sun Dec 07, 2008 2:35 pm Post subject:

Thanks for all the help. As soon as it warms up I will be out there cranking those tie rods. I have almost 3 full turns from lock to lock so I have some ways to move it.
Dan
_________________
66 baja

http://www.danandteri.blogspot.com

KTPhil · Posted: Sun Dec 07, 2008 3:04 pm Post subject:

That is likely the mark. The end of the steering gear limits should never be reached when installed on the car. I think the stops on the steering knuckles or the pitman arm will be reached before then. It may damage the box if you crack it to its internal stops.

vtech · Posted: Fri May 10, 2013 8:03 am Post subject:

when i changed my steering box the the steering wheel was off even after centring the box. so i removed the steering wheel and moved it to its in the centre. had the alignment checked and it was bang on.

WD0AFQ · Posted: Fri May 10, 2013 8:22 am Post subject:

Thanks, I finally got it. Cranked on those tierod ends til everything looked and felt good. Of course I could not hold it in the road, ha. Took to a frontend shop and bam, life is good again. Now I need a new steering box. Two new replacements have busted. I have an old original on it now with lots of slop. Will see what MAM has at bugfest in 3 weeks.
dan
_________________
66 baja

http://www.danandteri.blogspot.com


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