TheSamba.com :: View topic - Steering Coupling Disc 211415417 (coupler)

Thu Sep 08, 2011 10:53 am

Whitley wrote: Anyone know who in the US has the Genuine VW couplers in stock now? I received one from Bus Depot today, and it looks a little suspicious. It has Germany printed on it, but I think its a Euromax brand. It looks like Scott has them, but with shipping, its $72. I've searched several other suppliers with no luck- any help is appreciated.

Thanks
I got mine from Wolfsburg West - they are genuine VW. Before I ordered I called them to make sure. I had also originally gotten one from Bus Depot (which was a Euromax and was not good - the bushings fell out), and then read this thread...so I got a real VW one. I did a write up on it here:
http://randum.info/blog/2011/05/30/steering-coupler-redux/

Thu Sep 08, 2011 11:06 am

Did that EuroMax one actually have Euromax stamped into it?

I can't recall where I bought mine, but it says VW, has Germany stamped on it, and no Euromax markings.

Thu Sep 08, 2011 11:53 am

My Euromax one didn't say Euromax anywhere on it, but I believe it did on the packaging it came from, or it was on the Bus Depot website. My Euromax said "Premium Quality." If yours says VW and Germany, you probably have the genuine one like I do.

Thu Sep 08, 2011 1:07 pm

The one I have from BD says Germany on it and a "W" with a circle around it- not VW- sneaky. No Euromax markings, but it obviously looks different from the real one- more rounded and the spacers appear to be aluminum.

Thu Sep 08, 2011 1:20 pm

there are several that have the VW logo and part on them ground off and they look identical in casting to the genuine VW one. The genuine VW ones seem to be harder rubber that does not compress as much.

Thu Sep 08, 2011 1:32 pm

Hey, It must be the season. I did mine two weeks ago. I'll have to look for the logo but I fear that I am doomed. Got mine from Cip-1. I retained the castle nuts and was amazed at how well they were designed. But I think I'll use a nylock for the yoke.

Thu Sep 08, 2011 1:46 pm

Does anyone know what durometer rubber that coupler is?

Would be quite easy for me to machine it out of the proper thickness / spec of rubber and then make inserts for the bolt holes.

Just saying.. 8)

Thu Sep 08, 2011 2:05 pm

This may be a silly question but what is the purpose of the coupler? My guess is to take up the slight angular differences between steering box and column, and maybe to detach if the steering box gets torn off? I dunno.

You all have me worries about mine now. I don't see any cracks on it. I do know it's over 10 years old because I remember replacing the old steering box which had 1/4 turn of freeplay. It was physically impossible to drive it in a straight line :lol:

Thu Sep 08, 2011 2:08 pm

Image from Wolfsburg West. Hard to see from this, but the good ones have what looks like nylon fibers exposed in the edge of the disc, meaning it's woven into the middle of the rubber. Reinforcement, and will keep the disc from coming apart, which is a good thing.

Thu Sep 08, 2011 2:15 pm

RatCamper wrote: This may be a silly question but what is the purpose of the coupler? My guess is to take up the slight angular differences between steering box and column, and maybe to detach if the steering box gets torn off? I dunno.

You all have me worries about mine now. I don't see any cracks on it. I do know it's over 10 years old because I remember replacing the old steering box which had 1/4 turn of freeplay. It was physically impossible to drive it in a straight line :lol:

This coupler offers a bit of a cushioning effect between the front end/steering assembly of the bus, and the steering wheel. Connects the steering box with the steering column and steering wheel. Contributes to a dampening effect, much like the steering dampener, and shock absorbers.

A good coupler disc will be rigid and unbendable in your hands. The ones to worry about are the ones that you can bend like a taco with your own hand strength.

Wed Sep 14, 2011 2:11 pm

Thanks for the info, I'm glad I read this before I continued the work. I bought a EuroMax disc from BusDepot and will either return it or just trash it. I ordered a new one from WW.

I have a question about the Castle nuts; I'm not going to use them again and will replace them with NyLoc, can someone recommend a torque spec for the NyLoc on the Disc bolts?

Thanks for all the good info

Thu Dec 27, 2012 1:25 pm

I know this is probably stupid, but how do you remove the plastic clamping ring around the shaft?

Fri Dec 28, 2012 11:59 am

211-415-417 still an active part number ordered one today from VW dealer in SC List retail 51.90.

Fri Dec 28, 2012 12:24 pm

marken wrote: 211-415-417 still an active part number ordered one today from VW dealer in SC List retail 51.90.

Same item, same part number, from Wolfsburg West for $20

http://www.wolfsburgwest.com/cart/DetailsList.cfm?ID=211415417

Fri Dec 28, 2012 1:01 pm

minispdrcr wrote: I know this is probably stupid, but how do you remove the plastic clamping ring around the shaft?
Which ring are we discussing?

Fri Dec 28, 2012 1:04 pm

busdaddy wrote: minispdrcr wrote: I know this is probably stupid, but how do you remove the plastic clamping ring around the shaft?
Which ring are we discussing?

On the steering wheel shaft. Number 14 in the bentley on page 27 of the front axle section.

On your picture it is 22 I believe.

Sat Dec 29, 2012 12:39 pm

I dont want to break it and dont really want to remove the whole steering column. is there a way around without having to take the column apart?

Sat Dec 29, 2012 1:28 pm

minispdrcr wrote: I dont want to break it and dont really want to remove the whole steering column. is there a way around without having to take the column apart?
No, you'll have to unbolt the upper column mounts and remove the steering wheel to lift the tube out of that ring. And if you F it up replacements aren't available so consider that when planning the job.

Sat Dec 29, 2012 2:08 pm

Well dang... But I found this in case

http://www.busdepot.com/211415601b

Sat Jan 12, 2013 9:53 am

Just got done doing mine.

I was able to loosen the steering column cover plate, and jockey it around enough to remove and replace the coupling and bolts without disconnecting steering column.

It was kinda tricky this way, but doable.