TheSamba.com :: View topic - Steering wheel coupler bending when tightened down

Wed May 21, 2025 7:20 pm

On my '74 ghia I replaced my steering box with a genuine VW rebuilt box, and after I replacing it the steering coupler is bending some when tightened down as you can see in the pics. I'm not sure if this is a really an issue or not but is there a fix for this? It seems to work fine just not sure if there is a fix for this or if it even needs fixed?

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Thu May 22, 2025 12:36 am

Loosen the clamp bolt that holds the flange to the steering column. This should allow the flange to slide a bit forward and eliminate the bend. Then retighten the clamp.

Byas

Thu May 22, 2025 8:40 am

I was able to loosen the clamp and move the flange some. It is definitely better but not all the way flush but much better than before.

Thu May 22, 2025 10:44 am

if you were to mount the bolts the other way, and heaven forbid, if the joint breaks, the bolt ends will connect to the flanges and give you some steering control. The way you have it now the steering wheel end will just spin around. A Ford truck has this 'feature' and it worked for me, so I adapt my VWs the same. I use longer bolts too.

Thu May 22, 2025 11:21 am

runamoc wrote: if you were to mount the bolts the other way, and heaven forbid, if the joint breaks, the bolt ends will connect to the flanges and give you some steering control. The way you have it now the steering wheel end will just spin around. A Ford truck has this 'feature' and it worked for me, so I adapt my VWs the same. I use longer bolts too.

I could see where that would be beneficial. I will flip the bolts around.