Might simply be time for a replacement. I know that when my steering box reached that point, it felt very much like it was binding up when I turned a certain way.
I also have to assume you've gone under the bus to check all the important bits: tie rods/ends, dampner, etc. _________________ 1967 Riviera Camper
EverettB wrote:
Perfection breeds disappointment. Imperfection is happiness. Be happy with rust.
Joined: May 03, 2000 Posts: 5028 Location: Fair Oaks, CA
Posted: Fri Dec 21, 2012 10:19 am Post subject:
Yup, steering box time. The one in my Westy was really notchy and stiff in places and a replacement box made all the difference in the world. I had a good used one on hand, it was like driving a new Bus afterward.
Joined: September 19, 2004 Posts: 9484 Location: Olympia Wash Rinse & Repeat
Posted: Fri Dec 21, 2012 4:11 pm Post subject:
Do make sure the pitman arm and the drag link are NOT ending up parallel to each other, if they do the steering can lock up. _________________ In Stereo, Where Available!
UH, tried clicking on video and it says its private. Why post the video if its private anyway? Ok for some reason it says private when clicked on but if you click on the word link to the youtube page of the video it works......odd. Man if you filled that thing with oil, something else is up. That squeak sounds like dry metal.....no oil. _________________ Looking for the U shaped swing arm for sliding door split. Left hand drive. Baywindow arms are 1/2 inch longer.
Last edited by quartermilecamel on Sat Dec 22, 2012 4:23 pm; edited 1 time in total
Have you adjusted the steering box? If there is no current freeplay, you might be able to loosen it up a bit. Usually, the issue is the other way around... _________________ Defying conventional wisdom since 1970
Joined: September 19, 2004 Posts: 9484 Location: Olympia Wash Rinse & Repeat
Posted: Sat Dec 22, 2012 4:12 pm Post subject:
Ok, had same problem.
Loosen up the mounting bolts for the steering box to the body.
Loosen up the bolts that mount the upper steering shaft support up under the package tray.
Give the steering wheel a bit of a wiggle, and retighten the mentioned above bolts.
Turned out DPO had tightened the lower bolts and then just bent/flexed the steering column shaft just enough to bolt in the column support... This caused way more friction in the column and even stressed the speedo pod enough to crack the dash paint just above it.
If that does not do the trick you may need to remove the steering wheel and lube up the upper shaft ball bearings.
Also make sure you do not have the steering box adjusting screw adjusted too tight!! _________________ In Stereo, Where Available!
Joined: September 28, 2005 Posts: 265 Location: Hollister, Califaztlan
Posted: Sat Dec 22, 2012 4:26 pm Post subject:
Eric&Barb wrote:
Ok, had same problem.
Loosen up the mounting bolts for the steering box to the body.
Loosen up the bolts that mount the upper steering shaft support up under the package tray.
Give the steering wheel a bit of a wiggle, and retighten the mentioned above bolts.
Turned out DPO had tightened the lower bolts and then just bent/flexed the steering column shaft just enough to bolt in the column support... This caused way more friction in the column and even stressed the speedo pod enough to crack the dash paint just above it.
If that does not do the trick you may need to remove the steering wheel and lube up the
upper shaft ball bearings.
Also make sure you do not have the steering box adjusting screw adjusted too tight!!
Thanks everyone. Eric & barb will do this as soon as the rain stops _________________ "if you want peace, you must work for justice"
Has this bus been sitting since the Reagan administration? Have a friend turn the wheel, and watch underneath to see the swing lever bushings arm turning in the beam, rather than the pin turning in the nicely lubed bushings. I've seen those rusted stuck.
Joined: August 19, 2009 Posts: 478 Location: Martinez, CA
Posted: Mon Mar 18, 2013 11:40 pm Post subject:
Granted I think I still need a new box, but when mine made that noise, I regreased the spot you get to through the front floor and it went away. (I know my terminology is horrible!) _________________ -Adam
'59 Mango Bus
'69 Bug
WTB: Mango radio block off plate
Joined: April 23, 2009 Posts: 273 Location: Melbourne, FL
Posted: Tue Mar 19, 2013 3:22 am Post subject:
Before dropping big bucks for a steering box, try disconnecting the tie rods. Elevate the front end and see if the steering wheel is still crunchy or if the hangup is in the kingpin bushings by moving the wheels back and forth by hand. I lost a dust cap off the bottom of my right wheel's kingpin tube and it packed with crud. Two cans of wd-40 later, it turns free.
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