upper steering column play and clunk

[Franklinstower]

I got a little clunk on the upper steering column. I don't think it is anything to be super concerned about except the clunk noise it makes when turning bugs me. It feels like there is a little play in it. I took off the black plastic cover and see there is an outer stationary column and then the steering shaft inside of it.
Any fix to this? or is it just replace the whole steering column from a junk yard or something like that....

thanks,
Paul
_________________
'89 Westy - EJ25/22 Frank 4.44 5mt
'75 Miami Blue Sunroof FI Standard Bug
YITB

[Captain Pike]

Most likely the uni joint.
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LEARN TO SELF RESCUE
59 Panel bus, 1966 Single cab. 73' 181. 73 Westy. 91' H6 Vanagon 3.3L.
....Bad Sneakers....

[MarkWard]

Forgetting the clunk, if you move the steering wheel side to side or up and down is there play? If there is some play, the problem might be in the upper column bearing. Just something else that is easy to check and eliminate.

[tschroeder0]

check the two bushings(rubber) that the upper shaft fits into, they wear out. Todd

[Franklinstower]

[MarkWard]

Hopefully one of the "experts" can answer the question. I have not had one apart in many years. The bearing is easy to replace, but I think there is a plastic bushing between the steering shaft and the bearing. Over time it falls apart leaving a gap between the shaft and the bearing. There used to be a steel replacement that we used to be able to get. I checked the ETKA parts break down, but it is not clear to me. I could also be wrong. Sorry

[Timwhy]

[Franklinstower]

I am pretty sure it is the upper column bearing making the clunk noise when I turn. I have not addressed it. And I have not found a new bearing yet. Although I have not searched very hard.

If you tackle the job, let me know. And I will do the same.

Paul
_________________
'89 Westy - EJ25/22 Frank 4.44 5mt
'75 Miami Blue Sunroof FI Standard Bug
YITB

[MarkWard]

The upper column bearing is isolated from the shaft by a plastic thrust ring. With age these crumble and fall out. The play is between the shaft and the bearing. On the Vanagon, the thrust ring is part number 171 419 341. That is a VW rabbit part number. Before they were plastic, VW and Porsche used a steel one. These are available and will work in the Vanagon. They will last forever. I have replaced mine from one that was hiding in my tool box for 20 plus years. I am looking at ETKA and they list a part number 175 419 341 A that looks correct. I believe that is a Super Beetle number from memory. It is an easy fix. Remove the lower column cover, Remove the steering wheel, switch stack and the plastic spacer. You can then slide the thrust ring in place between the shaft and inner race of the bearing. The steering shaft can slip down, so you may need to pry it up into place when you go to put the steering wheel back on. Once the nut is started, the shaft will pull up into place. Don't hold me to this suggestion. regards.

[Franklinstower]

[MarkWard]

Paul, that is exactly what the one I used looked like. It is a snug fit going on, but solved the problem. Glad you found it. The secret is out. Give it a shot and report back. mark

[indytriple]

Any feedback on if this worked?

I have the same play (up/down, left/right) in my steering wheel and steering column. It doesn't seem harmful, but it's annoying.

I'm going to replace my ignition switch because of another problem (that saga is detailed here: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=427491). I figured that I might as well take care of this problem simultaneously. The PO's receipts say that the plastic bushing was replaced less than a decade ago. Since it's cheap, I'm going to try to buy one of the Beetle metal seating rings listed above.

If anyone else has done this or has any suggestions or comments it would be appreciated.
_________________
"See The Glass As Already Broken."

87 Vanagon Westy Auto Bostig

www.bluegrassbicyclecompany.com

[snoop]

[indytriple]

Thanks for the heads up on this Snoop. California Import Parts, LTD (the link above) seems to be the only company that supplies the metal seating ring. Unfortunately, the ring is $9.95, but they force you to buy $25 worth of stuff before you can submit your order. Instead, I'm going to try your fix of buying an o-ring at the hardware store and installing it myself. Did you use a rubber, plastic or metal o-ring? I'm assuming rubber would work best.
_________________
"See The Glass As Already Broken."

87 Vanagon Westy Auto Bostig

www.bluegrassbicyclecompany.com

[indytriple]

Instead of ordering a metal substitue as recommended above, I decided to keep looking to see if I could find the actual, stock replacement part. I finally found it here:

http://www.oeveedub.com/vw/vanagon-steering/175-419-341A.html

I installed it tonight, and it fits perfectly. The play is totally gone.

Part #175-419-341A
The Bentley Manual refers to it as a "ring" or "support ring".

I expected it to be clear plastic, but it's actually flexible rubber. I recommend sliding it onto the steering column all the way first and then putting the steering lock housing on. Don't put the thrust ring into the steering lock housing bearing first (as suggested by the Bentley), it's impossible to get it to slide onto the steering column that way.

The best page in the Bentley Manual to reference for this repair is 94.2 (48.2 is good to reference as well). I recommend clamping the lower column coupling together with some type of clamp to keep it from coming apart as you work on the upper column. You must have 51mm of clearance between the top of the black, plastic sleeve and the top of the column before you reassemble everything.

Here's the new support ring placed into the bearing on the steering lock housing.

Here's a shot of the back side of the support ring from inside the steering lock housing.

Squishy, not plastic.

Pieces of my old one fell out of the bottom of the column tube when I took everything apart. They had turned to hard, brittle plastic and disintegrated. Based on the PO's records he had already replaced this once only six years ago.

Tools needed for this repair:
-24mm Socket to remove steering wheel
-Medium size standard screwdriver for bolt on lower column switch cover
-Small standard screwdriver for three screws on turn signal switch
-Channel locks or vice grips for grabbing and pulling off black, plastic spacer sleeve (try by hand first)
-Phillips screwdriver for two screws holding lower column switch cover to upper column switch cover
-6mm hex wrench (allen) for bolt holding steering lock housing to column tube
-Grease for bolts and threads.

If you're going to go to the trouble to do this, you might as well change your ignition switch if it's original...
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=375383

I also used this as an excuse to clean and grease everything I came across. I also fixed the ground at the base of the steering column and made my horn honk like the day it drove off the lot (it was pitiful before).
_________________
"See The Glass As Already Broken."

87 Vanagon Westy Auto Bostig

www.bluegrassbicyclecompany.com

[Christopher Schimke]

Nice write-up! Good info! Thanks!
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"Sometimes you have to build a box to think outside of." - Bruce (not Springsteen)

*Custom wheel hardware for Audi/VW, Porsche and Mercedes wheels - Urethane Suspension Bushings*
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[snoop]

First things first...sorry about not replying to your question about the o-ring...I never saw it...til now, that is.

Am glad that you decided to push further on this quest though...you found a great solution! And presented very nice documentation...thank you!

Many will be helped by your kind effort...thank you!
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87 Westy Camper

[indytriple]

No worries, Snoop! I'm kind of glad that you didn't. I was ready to run off the the hardware store to find something, but instead I kept searching for the original piece. Thanks for the initial help and suggestion. It's nice for people to know that they can improvise too!
_________________
"See The Glass As Already Broken."

87 Vanagon Westy Auto Bostig

www.bluegrassbicyclecompany.com

[kjono09]

So if you don't have this clear ring, could it cause your turn signal to metal face to ground and cause a short that produces continuous honking?

[stegosaurus]

So I'm trying to replace the support ring myself today. However I can't even get the steering wheel off. I removed the nut but the wheel doesn't even want to budge. Is there a possibility that my 83.5 had a pressed on wheel and not splined? I sprayed it with PB Buster, yanked on it, tapped on it but nothing. Please help Samba!