Steering wheel in and out play

[Scorpwanna]

Since spring is around the corner I'm getting ready to do a few more projects to my bug. One of these is fixing the steering wheel column problem I seem to have. Aside from it having wiggle play left/right up/down it also has play in and out. Since I have a 71 super I read about a lower bushing that seems to be pressed in and would need to be reseated or replaced?

My question is, those who have fixed this problem or know how, could you tell me the steps you took to remove everything. Or maybe there's a video of fixing it. I ran across the airheadparts video of replacing the upper bearing, which I'll probably have to do anyway. (And find that plastic piece)

Almost 2 years ago I replaced the turn signal switch and put in a new lock cylinder, that's the only guts I've delt with in the column.
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1971 Super Beetle Sedan Stock
Manufacture Date: December 12 1970
Left Factory on: December 17 1970 (Emden Germany)
Received: Washington, USA
Original Color: L 12 D Shantung Yellow
SOLEX 34-PICT 3 Carb
I've got a Bentley

[dirtkeeper]

If it has play in and out you better figure it out. The only thing I could think would be. A loose steering wheel bolt, a loose or broken steering shaft to steering box connection, or a verry bad steering box. All catastrophic conditions.

How much does it move

[Hyperspace]

There is a youtube vid on the procedure, just search a little..
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If you can't fix it with a hammer, it is an electrical fault.

Photo's http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_search.php?search_author=Hyperspace&show_results=summary

[Scorpwanna]

Steering box is a rebuilt one that was installed in 2012. Left right up down isn't too bad, but the in and out feels like a 1/4th inch or so of movement.

Steering wheel bolt is tight. It's the shaft pole thing it's attached too that moves.
_________________
1971 Super Beetle Sedan Stock
Manufacture Date: December 12 1970
Left Factory on: December 17 1970 (Emden Germany)
Received: Washington, USA
Original Color: L 12 D Shantung Yellow
SOLEX 34-PICT 3 Carb
I've got a Bentley

[ROCKOROD71]

have you looked at the coupler? Or the collapsible birdcage area of the column to see if everything is right? If the steering box is good I'd be looking at that area where the two parts of the steering column join. Might need to remove the gas tank for a better look though.
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1971 STD BEETLE- DD-1st car, 1st love. keepin' it stock! 1600DP, Solex 34-3 Mexi Bosch SVDA Dist NOW w/POINTS
1977 WESTY "KrustyKamper" 2L FI

[talljordan]

I am having the same issue on a 72 super! Never had it before but I just replaced the whole front end adjusted the steering box. Never had this ssue before.... Would LOVE to know what the fix is.
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1972 Super Beetle, Parked until adequate restoration funding is acquired in restoration!

Wanted: Male computer diagnostic plug end

[Scorpwanna]

I had planned to halfway remove the take to take a look at where it couples together under there. The days are still cold and wet where I am, still waiting on a day off to focus on it.

What is the hex shaped bolt under the steering column for?
_________________
1971 Super Beetle Sedan Stock
Manufacture Date: December 12 1970
Left Factory on: December 17 1970 (Emden Germany)
Received: Washington, USA
Original Color: L 12 D Shantung Yellow
SOLEX 34-PICT 3 Carb
I've got a Bentley

[Joel]

[Scorpwanna]

So there's a bearing under the fuel tank and this plastic band thing and bushings? I can't seem to find anything about them in the bentley. What do they look like? On the websites I usually order the parts from it only shows the main bearing that's up at the top of the shaft. You wouldn't happen to have the part numbers or anything for everything I'd need to do what you did would you?

Is this one of the parts you mentioned?

http://www.wolfsburgwest.com/cart/DetailsList.cfm?ID=113415531X

I know this one is the upper bearing.
http://www.wolfsburgwest.com/cart/DetailsList.cfm?ID=111953559C

I can't seem to find anything about a lower bearing or plastic band.
_________________
1971 Super Beetle Sedan Stock
Manufacture Date: December 12 1970
Left Factory on: December 17 1970 (Emden Germany)
Received: Washington, USA
Original Color: L 12 D Shantung Yellow
SOLEX 34-PICT 3 Carb
I've got a Bentley

[Joel]

It's in the Bentley, the bearing is #8 and the metal surround #7 has a seat where it sits in the bulk head,

You would have to pull the tank out to see what the story is whether the bearing is shagged or just the plastic seat has fallen to bits

On mine I just wrapped #7 with a layer of electrical tape till it sat in there snuggly, bit firmer than the stock plastic.

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Quick little bug, you got a Porsche motor in that?
1974 Germanlook 1303 2.5 Suba-Beetle

[Scorpwanna]

Oh, I was looking in the front axle section. So the actual Needle bearing I can't seem to find, but that one part I posted a link too says it replaces it.

Has anyone used this part as a replacement for their needle bearing?
http://www.wolfsburgwest.com/cart/DetailsList.cfm?ID=113415531X

And the sealing ring, whats the part number for it?
_________________
1971 Super Beetle Sedan Stock
Manufacture Date: December 12 1970
Left Factory on: December 17 1970 (Emden Germany)
Received: Washington, USA
Original Color: L 12 D Shantung Yellow
SOLEX 34-PICT 3 Carb
I've got a Bentley

[Scorpwanna]

Is there a video somewhere of this particular type of steering column fix. The airheadparts video just does the upper on a ghia.
_________________
1971 Super Beetle Sedan Stock
Manufacture Date: December 12 1970
Left Factory on: December 17 1970 (Emden Germany)
Received: Washington, USA
Original Color: L 12 D Shantung Yellow
SOLEX 34-PICT 3 Carb
I've got a Bentley

[talljordan]

[talljordan]

[Scorpwanna]

Yeah that's the ghia video, that part seems normal for all of them. The super though has the lower components before the U-joint, it's those parts we both need. I can't find the part number for it.
_________________
1971 Super Beetle Sedan Stock
Manufacture Date: December 12 1970
Left Factory on: December 17 1970 (Emden Germany)
Received: Washington, USA
Original Color: L 12 D Shantung Yellow
SOLEX 34-PICT 3 Carb
I've got a Bentley

[talljordan]

Actually I believe the part that you posted is what we need, I think it replaces the needle bearing and the sealing ring (#7, #8\). Which part do you think we need? Keep in mind that is above the U joint but below the steering wheel.
_________________
1972 Super Beetle, Parked until adequate restoration funding is acquired in restoration!

Wanted: Male computer diagnostic plug end

[Joel]

Honestly pull the tank and suss out the bearing before you worry about buying new parts.

The bearings rarely go bad and the sealing ring is stainless steel so doesnt wear out.

Mine felt woeful when i bought the car, steering shaft flopping around and all it was the plastic seat fallen apart
15 years later the bearing is still fine, would be the original one and has half a million KMs on it.
_________________
Quick little bug, you got a Porsche motor in that?
1974 Germanlook 1303 2.5 Suba-Beetle

[Scorpwanna]

Video of how much play.


Link

_________________
1971 Super Beetle Sedan Stock
Manufacture Date: December 12 1970
Left Factory on: December 17 1970 (Emden Germany)
Received: Washington, USA
Original Color: L 12 D Shantung Yellow
SOLEX 34-PICT 3 Carb
I've got a Bentley

[Scorpwanna]

Searching around for the upper bearing i'm getting confused with the parts.

111953559A from bughaus says it fits the 71s and is 24mm ID
from airheadparts says the same thing but is pictured differently.

111953559C from bughaus says it fits 74-79 and is 22mm ID

But on wolfsburgwest.com the part pictured 111953559C looks like the A one and says it fits the 71-79.

When i look up the C one on other websites it looks like the one for 74 and up only.

I'm confused as to which version of the part to order...
_________________
1971 Super Beetle Sedan Stock
Manufacture Date: December 12 1970
Left Factory on: December 17 1970 (Emden Germany)
Received: Washington, USA
Original Color: L 12 D Shantung Yellow
SOLEX 34-PICT 3 Carb
I've got a Bentley

[Joel]

I'll have to suss my pile of steering columns but I'm sure all my 71 and later use the same bearing too, the diameter of the shaft didnt change only the splines,
for instance I'm using the shaft from my 71 Super in my 74 using the same bearing.

That spacer is only there to stop the anti rattle bushing that sits between the bearing and the shaft from sliding out of place.

I've just used some metal pipe I had cut the to right length but poly pipe would work just as well.

Can definitely see the bearing is shagged though.

You may also have a small a mount of play in the universals on the bottom shaft, you'llbe able to see where the movement is coming from once the tank is out.
_________________
Quick little bug, you got a Porsche motor in that?
1974 Germanlook 1303 2.5 Suba-Beetle