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Steering box choices
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qweedqwag
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Joined: April 26, 2011
Posts: 26
Location: rockwall
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PostPosted: Mon Nov 10, 2025 6:01 pm    Post subject: Steering box choices Reply with quote

Hey Guys,

Hope everyone is running on all four.

I read and saw a video from Empi talking about the high quality of their steering box, anyone here have any experience with it, any other decent stuff out there, open to opinions. Wife asked me what I wanted for Christmas and I need one so there's that.

Thank you all.

Texas Mike.
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heimlich Premium Member
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Joined: November 20, 2016
Posts: 7569
Location: Houston, Texas
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PostPosted: Mon Nov 10, 2025 8:21 pm    Post subject: Re: Steering box choices Reply with quote

I'll toot my own horn here.

I sell a box that is made with NOS steel caged bearings. The bearings are FAG bearings and made in Germany. They are no longer made but are the original bearings that VW used in their German boxes. There is no aftermarket box that has steel caged bearings unless they are using NOS bearings. The plastic cage on the aftermarket bearings fall apart and they have less balls in them. I won't sell a box with those plastic cages.

Whomever you buy a box from make sure they guarantee it and will take it back or make it right. I've had customers come to me a year later or they adjusted the box and needed some help. I took the boxes back and made sure they received something that worked.

Many other places will not take a box back that has been installed/adjusted.
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EVfun Premium Member
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Joined: April 01, 2012
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PostPosted: Mon Nov 10, 2025 10:13 pm    Post subject: Re: Steering box choices Reply with quote

There are a lot of no name aftermarket steering boxes of questionable quality out there after the TRW replacement steering boxes were discontinued. I have no idea about the quality of the EMPI replacement box. I'm only aware of two that I would trust. Heimlich, of VW NOS, is a reputable member here who I would be comfortable buying from. I have also purchased other parts from Pete at Airkewld and he sells a rebuilt original steering box.

That said, while my buggy has an Airkewld front beam the steering box is just a carefully adjusted original 1963 Bug steering box. I purchased in that time window after Pete could no longer get the TRW boxes but before they started rebuilding original boxes. I recommend you take a little time and see if your original box can be adjusted. There are 2 adjustments to make and many boxes can work well after being properly adjusted. If the roller is shot you'll discover it quickly when even an adjusted box has play in the center of travel. You can look in the fill holes to make sure the roller is turning.
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heimlich Premium Member
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Location: Houston, Texas
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PostPosted: Tue Nov 11, 2025 8:22 am    Post subject: Re: Steering box choices Reply with quote

Another choice is to rebuild your existing box if it is the original VW box. I sell a rebuild kit with the same parts in it as my box. There's a huge writeup on here on how to rebuild your box.
_________________
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Classic Brands. Classic Quality.
Not all parts are made the same. NOS OE/OEM parts made mainly in West Germany, Early Germany, and Early Brazil are where VW produced the best quality parts and best fitting products.
5% Off your order with coupon code: 5%OFF
Restored Distributors Available (<--Click here)
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qweedqwag
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Joined: April 26, 2011
Posts: 26
Location: rockwall
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PostPosted: Tue Nov 11, 2025 6:42 pm    Post subject: Re: Steering box choices Reply with quote

Heimlich,

I have my wife order one from you, thanks for the heads up.

Texas Mike.
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