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Tue Oct 23, 2012 3:36 pm

I wish I could find an original VW steering box. I'm on my THIRD TRW box, and they're pathetic. The first one I put in would not adjust tight and there was 2-3" of play in the steering wheel. I put a second one in, and was able to adjust it down appropriately. It worked for a week, then started making noise in a specific spot so I had to pull it too. Then the third TRW box, I put in and could literally turn the wheel more than an 1/8 of a turn before the pittman arm would move (at all). These things are awful. I'm looking for another solution.

Mr. Unpopular wrote: glutamodo wrote: It fits the hole perfectly, but it's just not quite deep enough, so you have to kind of hold it in halfway.

Why not just grind down the threaded side until it fits in there just right. Use it as a stop basically.

Tue Oct 23, 2012 9:51 pm

I hope they answer, im thinking of getting a new box. same reason

Wed Oct 24, 2012 7:30 am

Same here. My '67 suffers from at least 1-2" of play in steering wheel. All else is good. I would like to use the original box (still have it) but it is worn out.

Wed Oct 24, 2012 9:11 am

Hm. I put one in my '62 a couple of years back...it still feels fantastic. Bad batch, maybe?

Wed Oct 24, 2012 9:23 am

Mine was replaced close to a year ago. Could be a bad batch. You would think QC is done.

Mon Nov 05, 2012 7:40 pm

lehmberg wrote: I wish I could find an original VW steering box. I'm on my THIRD TRW box, and they're pathetic. The first one I put in would not adjust tight and there was 2-3" of play in the steering wheel. I put a second one in, and was able to adjust it down appropriately. It worked for a week, then started making noise in a specific spot so I had to pull it too. Then the third TRW box, I put in and could literally turn the wheel more than an 1/8 of a turn before the pittman arm would move (at all). These things are awful. I'm looking for another solution.

Mr. Unpopular wrote: glutamodo wrote: It fits the hole perfectly, but it's just not quite deep enough, so you have to kind of hold it in halfway.

Why not just grind down the threaded side until it fits in there just right. Use it as a stop basically.

I finally went and ordered an NOS box I found here on Samba. NIGHT AND DAY DIFFERENCE. Talked to two guys who do nothing but work on Beetles.... both have had the same experience with TRW steering boxes. Avoid them at all costs. Use a good VW box.

Wed Jan 09, 2013 9:06 pm

Problem solved? :)

http://airkewld.biz/products-page/chassis-parts/pro-built-steering-box/

Mon Feb 04, 2013 7:37 pm

Wanted to add my two cents worth, just installed my new TRW steering box, it is worse then the steering box I took out.
What a waste of time and money. ](*,)

Vendors, stop selling this crap. [-X

Mon Feb 11, 2013 1:21 pm

PlacerPuma wrote: Wanted to add my two cents worth, just installed my new TRW steering box, it is worse then the steering box I took out.
What a waste of time and money. ](*,)

Vendors, stop selling this crap. [-X
I was ignorant of aftermarket issues when I replaced my box, but chose a good used one at the time because it was cheaper. Sooo glad I did!

Mon Feb 11, 2013 2:17 pm

Wow, this is quite a turn-around in quality from TRW as compared to the feedback from when I bought my TRW box about 5-6 years ago. At the time my source told me he gets maybe one return a year and he sells a dozen or more in that time. I haven't talked to him recently, though.

Mine was tight at first, and after just a few thousand miles (and 5-6 years) I recently tightened up the top screw a fraction of a turn, and it drives like new now.

Mon Feb 11, 2013 2:36 pm

Yeah, sounds like their quality went down the toilet. The TRW box in my 62 has done well for me. The one in my Baja - not quite as good but with adjustment it's been OK.

Mon Feb 11, 2013 8:30 pm

I just installed a new TRW box. My old OEM one was so loose that the steering wheel had 8"-10" of play at the steering wheel. Its been 2 weeks of everyday-driving, and the new box is great.

Tue Feb 12, 2013 3:49 pm

okay noob here. i have got a trw box installed on my oval and even new it had a very exxessive amount of play. i thought i would be a super hero and use the adjusment screw at the top of box to try and get rid of the play. anyway cut a long story short i messed the adjustment up so bad the box doesnt even move at all now, the adjustment screw isnt movng in or out. wwhat have i done?

Tue Feb 12, 2013 4:48 pm

okay, i realise now that i had just made the mistake of tightening it to much at the wrong steering position. it has now got very little play and isnt binding. thanks

Fri May 10, 2013 10:33 am

The new steering box I just got is a TRW from Wolfsburg West. I plan to install it tomorrow morning. When I turn the input shaft by hand (the longer skinnier shaft), the output shaft on the bottom (where the pitman arm goes) does not spin. Im not sure if this is an issue or not though. Maybe something changes once its actually bolted to the car and connected to everything? Know anything about that?

Fri May 10, 2013 10:47 am

bonzai272 wrote: The new steering box I just got is a TRW from Wolfsburg West. I plan to install it tomorrow morning. When I turn the input shaft by hand (the longer skinnier shaft), the output shaft on the bottom (where the pitman arm goes) does not spin. Im not sure if this is an issue or not though. Maybe something changes once its actually bolted to the car and connected to everything? Know anything about that?
It should definitely turn. Call WW, let them know the situation so you can exchange it.

Fri May 10, 2013 11:00 am

^ Damn, there goes my plans to get it back on the road this weekend. I guess Ill call WW later today. Thanks for the reply.

Fri May 10, 2013 1:04 pm

bonzai272 wrote: The new steering box I just got is a TRW from Wolfsburg West. I plan to install it tomorrow morning. When I turn the input shaft by hand (the longer skinnier shaft), the output shaft on the bottom (where the pitman arm goes) does not spin. Im not sure if this is an issue or not though. Maybe something changes once its actually bolted to the car and connected to everything? Know anything about that?

It should move but very slowly since the gear ratio is high. A couple of full turns of the input shaft results in only about 45(?) degrees of movement of the output shaft.

Fri May 31, 2013 1:19 pm

There is a guy on ebay selling a tool that will work the big steering box adjuster.
Search for:
Suzuki GSXR 600 24mm Allen Wrench Axle Tool
They are going for $8.50.

Sat Jun 01, 2013 9:51 pm

glutamodo wrote: KTPhil wrote: Older boxes with the single metal threaded fill plug use oil. Later boxes with the two plastic plugs use grease.

Yes, and the new TRW definately qualifies as the latter, it comes filled with that special "liquid grease" and plastic plugs on top. Here's the factory specs on that grease

Just a detail note...many sellers stock this as "pourable grease". I just used some on an Austin Healey, have yet to open the box on the bug.