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Charlo Samba Member
Joined: March 19, 2015 Posts: 50 Location: Southwest Oregon
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Posted: Thu Apr 16, 2020 4:49 pm Post subject: '69 Beetle Steering Wheel Hub - stripped threads |
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Hello Forum,
Two of the three bolt holes in my steering wheel hub are stripped.
These bolts hold the horn ring to the hub, and because the two bolts don't hold, the canceling ring hits the hub continually, thus breaking the ground (and causing continuous horn blare).
My question is:
Can the hub be replaced (with good threaded bolt holes), or is just easier to get another steering wheel? Would a replacement hub even be available?
In the two pictures showing the back side of the hub, you can see what appears to be a "molded anchoring point" of some sort on the left, which may used to fasten the hub to the steering wheel.
Any thoughts? Thank you!
_________________ 1969 Type 1171 Sunroof Sedan |
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Double-Double Samba Member
Joined: October 25, 2019 Posts: 640 Location: Oregon
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Posted: Thu Apr 16, 2020 5:15 pm Post subject: Re: '69 Beetle Steering Wheel Hub - stripped threads |
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I would drill it to the recommended size for helicoils and go that route. |
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Cusser Samba Member
Joined: October 02, 2006 Posts: 31268 Location: Hot Arizona
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60ragtop Bonneville Belt Bitch
Joined: March 13, 2006 Posts: 7800 Location: Big Wonderful WYO 82401
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Posted: Thu Apr 16, 2020 6:57 pm Post subject: Re: '69 Beetle Steering Wheel Hub - stripped threads |
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If they are not to bad, I've had luck using foil or brass stock to help the screw hold. _________________ Rick
Certified Mechanic by the State of Michigan in 1977
ASA certified in 1987
Certified Hunter Wheel Alignment Master Technician 1986
tasb wrote: |
I've restored a large number too, but I don't toot my horn quite as loud.
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sb001 wrote: |
maybe he just snapped cause his car sucked |
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grandpa red Samba Member
Joined: November 23, 2018 Posts: 520 Location: Hollister,Ca.
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Posted: Fri Apr 17, 2020 5:21 am Post subject: Re: '69 Beetle Steering Wheel Hub - stripped threads |
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If you don't want to do a thread insert which would be the proper way to fix it,try the larger screw like suggested.
Or you could swage the hole with a steel ball which would push mat'l in making the hole smaller on the top.Then carefully tap the hole.This may give enough threads for the screw to hold on to. _________________ '72 Beetle |
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jetmech Samba Member
Joined: October 24, 2019 Posts: 135 Location: Hamilton ON, Canada
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Posted: Fri Apr 17, 2020 6:44 am Post subject: Re: '69 Beetle Steering Wheel Hub - stripped threads |
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to truly fix the issue a helicoil would be the best solution because if you have to take it apart again in the future you won't have to deal with half assed repairs trying to put it back togeather, someone on here had a signature that said
there is no time to do it right the first time, but there is all the time to fix it right the second time. I would choose to fix it right the first time. _________________ 74' Super Beetle |
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Cusser Samba Member
Joined: October 02, 2006 Posts: 31268 Location: Hot Arizona
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Starbucket Samba Member
Joined: April 30, 2007 Posts: 4006 Location: WA
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Posted: Fri Apr 17, 2020 8:18 am Post subject: Re: '69 Beetle Steering Wheel Hub - stripped threads |
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Buy two self-tapping screws and run them in the existing holes |
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Dan the workingstiff Samba Member
Joined: July 03, 2006 Posts: 824 Location: Downriver, MI
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Posted: Fri Apr 17, 2020 9:55 am Post subject: Re: '69 Beetle Steering Wheel Hub - stripped threads |
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Cusser wrote: |
If you use a larger non-metric screw, I won't tell. |
Here's your fix _________________ '69 Beetle
'66 FG buggy
My other air-cooled's
'76 IH 1200
'75 IH 1200 |
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Charlo Samba Member
Joined: March 19, 2015 Posts: 50 Location: Southwest Oregon
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Posted: Sat Apr 18, 2020 2:45 pm Post subject: Re: '69 Beetle Steering Wheel Hub - stripped threads |
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Thanks ALL for your input and suggestions!
Shopping today for 3.5 mm heli-coils, and see where that takes me.
Dan, your posted "here's your fix" link from yesterday didn't come thru.
Again, thanks ... could not have done this project rebuild w/o the forum!
Cheers! _________________ 1969 Type 1171 Sunroof Sedan |
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Dan the workingstiff Samba Member
Joined: July 03, 2006 Posts: 824 Location: Downriver, MI
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Posted: Sat Apr 18, 2020 3:23 pm Post subject: Re: '69 Beetle Steering Wheel Hub - stripped threads |
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I would either run a 4mm or slightly larger SAE tap through it. _________________ '69 Beetle
'66 FG buggy
My other air-cooled's
'76 IH 1200
'75 IH 1200 |
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baldessariclan Samba Member
Joined: October 14, 2016 Posts: 1353 Location: Wichita, KS
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Posted: Sat Apr 18, 2020 3:57 pm Post subject: Re: '69 Beetle Steering Wheel Hub - stripped threads |
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Another “hack-fix” option you can sometimes make work with this sort of thing is to clean out the stripped holes with a suitable solvent, and then fill them with JB Weld epoxy. After it has fully cured, you can then carefully drill out and re-tap the discrepant holes.
When reinstalling the screws, be gentle and avoid cross-threading or forcing anything. The threads in the JB Weld epoxy are nowhere near as strong as the originals in the steering wheel hub (and those really weren’t all that tough to begin with, seeing as the hub is cast out of “pot metal” zinc alloy). But the new threading in the epoxy is still usually capable of retaining lightly loaded / tightened screws. _________________ 1971 Standard Beetle — fairly stock / driver
baldessariclan -- often in error, never in doubt... |
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