TheSamba.com :: View topic - Excess play in steering wheel, Steering box to Pitman arm loose

Mon Sep 02, 2019 6:21 am

Happy Labor day all
Having a problem with my steering, there is a lot of excess play in my steering on my 1970 bug. I didn't measure it but there is a lot of free play in the steering wheel, approx 1.5 inches maybe a little more while driving. I went through the front end yesterday and found that the steering box drop arm going into the Pitman arm has a lot of free play when you turn the steering wheel the drop arm moves inside the Pitman arm before the wheels start to turn. The drop arm bolt has been tightened by the PO to the point that so far I have not been able to tighten or loosen it yet and the head of the drop arm bolt is kind of mashed up. What would you expect the problem is, The drop arm on the steering box or the Pitman arm? Is there something I should try before pulling the steering apart? If I can get someone to help me today I will take a video of the play in the drop arm to Pitman arm.

Thanks for any ideas and help

Dave

Mon Sep 02, 2019 6:56 am

Did adjust the "worm" play slotted screw on the top of the steering box? You'll need a 17mm wrench to loosen the locknut.

Mon Sep 02, 2019 7:01 am

I would start looking for another pitman arm, new, or used.

If the vehicle has been driven that way for a period of time, you may not be able to tighten the clamp bolt on the pitman arm enough to secure it on the steering box. The pitman arm may simply be worn out on the inside diameter, and the small ridges that keep it in one place.

Another issue is getting the old one off. The bolt slides through a notch in the steering box shaft, so you can’t simply slide the pitman arm off even though it’s loose. If the bolt is siezed in the arm, and the head/half the bolt breaks off while trying to remove it, you will have to drill out the remaining section of the bolt to release it from the steering box shaft. You may be able to create a heat shield with a section of sheet metal to protect the steering box seal, and heat the pitman arm with a propane torch to help loosen the clamp bolt, but prepare to replace the seal incase it gets damaged.

Tue Sep 03, 2019 10:22 am

Cusser wrote: Did adjust the "worm" play slotted screw on the top of the steering box? You'll need a 17mm wrench to loosen the locknut.

Hi Cusser
Thanks for the input, would that effect the drop arm from the steering box? From what I can tell when you turn the wheel the drop arm turns at first in the Pitman arm without engaging in the Pitman arm?

Thanks again for your help

Tue Sep 03, 2019 10:24 am

[email protected] wrote: I would start looking for another pitman arm, new, or used.

If the vehicle has been driven that way for a period of time, you may not be able to tighten the clamp bolt on the pitman arm enough to secure it on the steering box. The pitman arm may simply be worn out on the inside diameter, and the small ridges that keep it in one place.

Another issue is getting the old one off. The bolt slides through a notch in the steering box shaft, so you can’t simply slide the pitman arm off even though it’s loose. If the bolt is siezed in the arm, and the head/half the bolt breaks off while trying to remove it, you will have to drill out the remaining section of the bolt to release it from the steering box shaft. You may be able to create a heat shield with a section of sheet metal to protect the steering box seal, and heat the pitman arm with a propane torch to help loosen the clamp bolt, but prepare to replace the seal incase it gets damaged.

Thank You
Wolfsburg west carries the Pitman arm and the seal, so if I order the Pitman arm I will order the seal. Thank you for your help

Dave

Tue Sep 03, 2019 6:18 pm

Just double check the size of your tie rod ends before you get your pitman arm. A 70 “should” have a larger tie rod stud with a 12mm thread. The earlier ball joint front ends from 66-68 use the smaller tie rod stud with a 10mm thread. The pitman arms, and spindles are interchangeable, and could have been swapped in 49 years. If your pinch bolt is damaged, get another one of those. VW had a nice little metal lock tab that bent over the bolt when tight that Wolfsburg West will likely have, but a lock washer will suffice. I’m thinking the bolt is a 12mm x 1.50 pitch in a 10.9 grade.