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Thu Nov 16, 2023 10:28 am

So, I replaced my front beam with an adjustable beam, and in the process replaced the seals on the control arms, ball joints, tie rod ends, and steering damper, one thing remained :

The steering box.

So, instead of going through the process of rebuilding mine, I opted for a replacement unit.
Got it from one of the online dealers for s good price.. Or so I thought...

I say this because the unit, made by TRW in Brazil, turned out to be junk....
Lots of slop, and when I try to adjust it, all that happens is that the steering gets stiff....

Guess I should have read up on this before buying....

So, back to square one, I am considering getting a rebuild kit from VWnos.com

Does any body here have experience with these rebuild kits ?

Considering that this kit costs more than the new steering box I bought, just want to make sure it's worth it...
I'm ok with spending the $$ as long as it gets me a decent functioning steering box

Thu Nov 16, 2023 11:10 am

MTT3107 wrote: I opted for a replacement unit.
Got it from one of the online dealers for s good price.. Or so I thought...

I say this because the unit, made by TRW in Brazil, turned out to be junk....
Lots of slop, and when I try to adjust it, all that happens is that the steering gets stiff...
Return that unit for credit, not suitable for the intended purpose. Google "warranty of merchantability".

Sooner or later, as suppliers have to pay to return through the supply chain, someone will get the $$$ message.

Thu Nov 16, 2023 12:40 pm

I never bought that whole kit at once, but have bought individual steering box components here and there from VWNOS in the past. Everything I've ever received from him has always been of acceptable quality, so suspect that entire kit is a good bet as well. Make sure you get the one that has the new worm and roller included, since you'll often find substantial and/or irreparable wear & damage to those components when you take an old used box apart.

Recommend reading and following the steering box rebuild procedure outlined in the Bentley manual. Note that you probably won't have a few of the alignment tools mentioned in there, so you'll likely have to do a bit of improvising / manual calculations for the various adjustments.

I also highly recommend reading through the following thread before embarking on a steering box rebuild -- it's long, but full of a lot of good information. Good luck! :-):

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=660446&highlight=steering+box

Thu Nov 16, 2023 12:44 pm

Oh yeah, and like Cusser said above, return that other POS box to wherever you got it for a full refund -- insist on it!!

Thu Nov 16, 2023 12:46 pm

Why rebuild when for about $85.00 more than the price of a kit you can get the whole steering box, pre-filled with Corn Head grease. I have one, it is nice.

Thu Nov 16, 2023 1:01 pm

Quote:
Why rebuild when for about $85.00 more than the price of a kit you can get the whole steering box, pre-filled with Corn Head grease. I have one, it is nice

Thought about that, but after having already spent $$ on the POS brazilian steering box, would like to keep cost in check...

But you are right, it is something to think about.

I will try to return the other unit for a refund, wish me luck....

Thu Nov 16, 2023 1:31 pm

MTT3107 wrote: I will try to return the other unit for a refund, wish me luck....
Where did you get it from?

Thu Nov 16, 2023 2:06 pm

Dune buggy warehouse

==> https://dunebuggywarehouse.com/

Thu Nov 16, 2023 5:53 pm

MTT3107 wrote: Dune buggy warehouse

==> https://dunebuggywarehouse.com/
Have never dealt with them before, personally. Hopefully they have a good, honest return policy. Let us all know how it goes -- keeping fingers crossed...

Thu Nov 16, 2023 8:19 pm

will do.

I think it will be ok, I bought it from them through amazon, and amazon is usually pretty good with returns.

Thu Nov 16, 2023 8:30 pm

MTT3107 wrote: will do.

I think it will be ok, I bought it from them through amazon, and amazon is usually pretty good with returns.

Amazon is awesome with returns when it's a defect does not work.

Sun Nov 19, 2023 8:58 am

I like to support Samba advertisers and sellers that support the hobby with good quality, reliable parts and service (i.e., not amazon, ebay, chinese counterfeit discount sellers).

Example: https://www.cbperformance.com/product-p/6250.htm

There is one ebay used parts seller that I do like. Good service and a good selection OG small parts: https://www.ebay.com/itm/233955983868?hash=item3678dd01fc:g:6BMAAOSw7WZjPvMt

Sun Nov 19, 2023 9:33 am

I've dealt with Claude's Buggies/CB Performance since 1976, and feel that they choose/sell parts that they've actually tried and checked out.

I've also been to Chirco in Tucson, and they sell parts that they use in their adjoining service/repair shop. Contact Joe Chirco there.

Wed Dec 06, 2023 7:40 am

So, I was able to return the steering box I got from Dune Buggy Warehouse via Amazon, for a full refund, all good.

I then followed the advice given here, and got me a complete steering box from VWnos.com, instead of buying the rebuild kit and do it myself.

Got the unit, installed it, and the results have been less than stellar....

The new, rebuilt unit has far more slop in it than my old original one.
I contacted Marcel at VWnos, and I am sending the unit back to the builder, in OK.
Marcel told me that an inch of play is acceptable, the new unit has almost 2.5 in play, my old one has 1.5 in..
He also told me to try and adjust it, tried that, loosened the lock nut and tried to adjust the adjustment screw, but it gets tight as soon as I start turning it, no adjustment left.

I assume, when we talk about the amount of play, we mean the play measured at the circumference of the steering wheel ?

In that case, with a OEM steering wheel, it would show even more play, my steering wheel is aftermarket, with a smaller diameter.

Links to short videos, showing the play at the steering wheel for both units :

New steering box :
https://photos.app.goo.gl/sexPJG5N8k6bgzs3A

My original steering box :
https://photos.app.goo.gl/zuPbX7JDRXwMhrue9

Wed Dec 06, 2023 8:12 am

I TOO need a new steering box.

This one SOUNDS good but......crazy $$$$.

Anyone heard of or know anything applicable?

https://www.airkewld.com/OEM-PRObuilt-Steering-Box-2480-p/2480.htm

Wed Dec 06, 2023 8:53 am

MTT3107 wrote: I then followed the advice given here, and got me a complete steering box from VWnos.com, instead of buying the rebuild kit and do it myself.

Got the unit, installed it, and the results have been less than stellar....

The new, rebuilt unit has far more slop in it than my old original one.
I contacted Marcel at VWnos, and I am sending the unit back to the builder, in OK.
Marcel told me that an inch of play is acceptable, the new unit has almost 2.5 in play, my old one has 1.5 in..
He also told me to try and adjust it, tried that, loosened the lock nut and tried to adjust the adjustment screw, but it gets tight as soon as I start turning it, no adjustment left.

I assume, when we talk about the amount of play, we mean the play measured at the circumference of the steering wheel ?
Yeah, I was never impressed with what I was hearing about the quality of TRW steering boxes. And the new ones VWNOS was offering sounded like they might possibly still be a bit sketchy as well (at least for my finicky tastes & standards). Some discussion of that in this thread from last year: https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=772907&highlight=steering+box

In any case, I have always just rebuilt my own steering boxes -- 2 of them, so far. First one was what I learned and "experimented" on, and next was the one I currently use. It's a bit of an involved and detail-oriented process, but the end results have been worth the effort (at least as far as I'm concerned). Note that I employed a combination of used and new OEM replacement parts, from folks like Heimlich and others.

On my current one, the play (measured at the outer edge of stock steering wheel) is about 1/2" to 3/4" total. This was one I rebuilt with a brand new roller shaft, which I think is one of the critical secrets for getting the play down to acceptable levels. You can make adjustments at a few other locations, but the roller shaft is basically a non-serviceable assembly, and thus you're pretty much stuck w/ whatever level of "wiggle" it already has.

Note that I believe the 1" of play spec. is a supposed limit, and not an "average" value. I'd need to double check the Bentley manual on that to be 100% sure, but that's how I remember it at this point.

Wed Dec 06, 2023 9:02 am

Ok, like I said, I have been in touch with Marcel at WNos, and I a sending the unit back, and he assured me that it will be fixed or replaced.

Will report back once that happens.

Regarding the play :
Like I showed in my 2 videos, both the steering boxes from VWNos and my original one, have considerably more than 1" of play.

I'll be happy with one that has an 1" or less.

Wed Dec 06, 2023 9:07 am

Yeah, that's definitely a ton of play shown in each of those videos (scary - !!). If and when you get it down to 1" or less, can guarantee that you're going to be a lot happier when driving around.

And yes, please do report on your final results - be good to know if we finally have a source for acceptable quality new steering boxes.

Wed Dec 06, 2023 9:29 am

Please be sure all other elements of the steering "chain" are spot on (coupler, box mounting, pitman arm, ball joints, tie rod ends, wheel bearings.

Adjustment is tricky... easy to overtighten. Proper method is to remove play with the steering wheel turned 90 degrees after finding the center position carefully. This means a slight preload at the center position. Overdo this, or adjust without centering the box first, and it will wear out quickly!

Wed Dec 06, 2023 3:20 pm

Tim is going to take a look at the box that was purchased. In the last shipment from Brazil there was 0.8% I think that's pretty good. Most of steering play issues are due to an adjustment needed or some other part of steering that has play in it. Unfortunately, not everyone is as good as Tim in adjusting a box.