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K9e1n4
Samba Member
Joined: July 29, 2023
Posts: 20
Location: Pennsylvania
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 Posted: Mon Nov 25, 2024 7:25 pm Post subject: Vanagon steering column coupler attachment |
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I change all 3 of the steering couplers on my 81 months ago.
Today I had serious steering sloppiness. Investigating further one of the “bolts” came off.
I never want this to happen again. Do these “bolts” look correct? They are next to impossible to tighten since they have no hex head or socket.
Should I use a standard bolt or drill out the flange and use a bolt and lock nut? Advice needed please.
_________________
1965 Beetle
1973 914 2.0L
1974 Super Beetle Convertible
1981 Vanagon Westy with 2.5 Subaru conversion |
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dieseltdi
Samba Member
Joined: September 07, 2006
Posts: 664
Location: Grapevine, Texas
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| Posted: Mon Nov 25, 2024 8:08 pm Post subject: Re: Vanagon steering column coupler attachment |
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I just inspected and replace 2 of mine and I have never seen anything like this! Looks like someone just pulled something out of a box that had the "right" size bolt and screwed it together. Very definately replace that thing with a real bolt, washer and lock nut.
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Currently:
1982 Vanagon Westy TDI conversion with Coast Mt. Hightop
2025 Hyundai Ioniq 6 EV
2015 Golf Sportwagen S TDI
Way too many previously owned to list! |
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dhaavers
Samba Member
Joined: March 19, 2010
Posts: 8000
Location: NE MN (tinyurl.com/dhaaverslocation)
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| Posted: Mon Nov 25, 2024 9:58 pm Post subject: Re: Vanagon steering column coupler attachment |
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Yeah, that’s not right…
…at all. 
- Dave
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86 White Wolfsburg Westy Weekender
"The WonderVan"
<EDITED TO PROTECT INNOCENT PIXELS> |
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vanis13
Samba Member
Joined: August 15, 2010
Posts: 4027
Location: ABQ NM USA.... Except when not
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| Posted: Mon Nov 25, 2024 10:05 pm Post subject: Re: Vanagon steering column coupler attachment |
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| K9e1n4 wrote: |
I change all 3 of the steering couplers on my 81 months ago.
Today I had serious steering sloppiness. Investigating further one of the “bolts” came off.
I never want this to happen again. Do these “bolts” look correct? They are next to impossible to tighten since they have no hex head or socket.
Should I use a standard bolt or drill out the flange and use a bolt and lock nut? Advice needed please.
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Curious, if you changed those couplers, didn't you have to deal with this "bolt" to do so?
_________________
83.5 Westy with Subaru 2.5, 4 spd manual, center seat, COLD A/C on 134a!, Winter camp heated with an Espar B4 gasoline furnace
www.SuperVanagon.com - some stuff I make |
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dhaavers
Samba Member
Joined: March 19, 2010
Posts: 8000
Location: NE MN (tinyurl.com/dhaaverslocation)
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K9e1n4
Samba Member
Joined: July 29, 2023
Posts: 20
Location: Pennsylvania
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| Posted: Tue Nov 26, 2024 8:28 am Post subject: Re: Vanagon steering column coupler attachment |
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Thanks for the feedback everyone.
Yes when I changed the couplers I took this “bolt” out and put it back in. It never was a problem before.
I didn’t think much of it because it looks specialized and also maybe it’s purpose would be if the coupler disintegrated some steering could be achieved with this interference “bolt”.
I really like the link that was sent showing the bolts and lock washers. I am going to go with that!
_________________
1965 Beetle
1973 914 2.0L
1974 Super Beetle Convertible
1981 Vanagon Westy with 2.5 Subaru conversion |
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vanis13
Samba Member
Joined: August 15, 2010
Posts: 4027
Location: ABQ NM USA.... Except when not
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| Posted: Tue Nov 26, 2024 8:33 am Post subject: Re: Vanagon steering column coupler attachment |
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| K9e1n4 wrote: |
Thanks for the feedback everyone.
Yes when I changed the couplers I took this “bolt” out and put it back in. It never was a problem before.
I didn’t think much of it because it looks specialized and also maybe it’s purpose would be if the coupler disintegrated some steering could be achieved with this interference “bolt”.
I really like the link that was sent showing the bolts and lock washers. I am going to go with that! |
Please show us this funky bolt when you pull it out. Really curious to see it.
On that link, the "stover" nuts, cone lock nuts is the key thing likely nyloc nuts would also work well.
_________________
83.5 Westy with Subaru 2.5, 4 spd manual, center seat, COLD A/C on 134a!, Winter camp heated with an Espar B4 gasoline furnace
www.SuperVanagon.com - some stuff I make |
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Vanagon Nut
Samba Member
Joined: February 08, 2008
Posts: 10464
Location: Sunshine Coast B.C.
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Nitramrebrab72
Samba Member
Joined: November 10, 2018
Posts: 764
Location: France
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| Posted: Tue Nov 26, 2024 9:16 pm Post subject: Re: Vanagon steering column coupler attachment |
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| Something to be weary of is the type of coupling as the original type is a combination of fibres and rubber to stop the rubber part tearing over time. |
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K9e1n4
Samba Member
Joined: July 29, 2023
Posts: 20
Location: Pennsylvania
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| Posted: Sun Dec 08, 2024 6:55 pm Post subject: Re: Vanagon steering column coupler attachment |
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I haven’t had a chance to work on this due to Thanksgiving travel and work. I plan to work on it this weekend. I will post more. Thank you everyone for your input! More to come,
_________________
1965 Beetle
1973 914 2.0L
1974 Super Beetle Convertible
1981 Vanagon Westy with 2.5 Subaru conversion |
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