Steering Bushing - Source Help

peteandvanessa · Posted: Tue Oct 07, 2014 12:25 pm Post subject: Steering Bushing - Source Help

I've been chasing this issue on my 1974 Standard Bug.

I have play in the steering wheel, the play is in and out from the steering wheel (meaning towards and away from the driver if I push or pull on the steering wheel).

It seems that one of the bushings is missing between the bottom anti-rattle bushing and the top c clip.

I believe it is made of plastic and is the bushing shown in the picture below, and I cannot find a source for a replacement.

If anyone knows where I can source one, please let me know.

Here's the pic of the part I need to source:

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.

_________________
My 1974 Standard Build Thread:

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=568220&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0

My Son's 1971 Bay Window Westie Build Thread:
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=7295189#7295189

Chochobeef · Posted: Tue Oct 07, 2014 1:45 pm Post subject:

I love your build and hope i can help. Hopefully this is what you are talking about.

~~https://www.westcoastmetric.com/viewProduct.php?productID=111-535D~~

Try #2
http://www.airheadparts.com/vintage-vw-parts/steer...-171419549

Should be the correct piece you need.

*edit - grammar and new link*

peteandvanessa · Posted: Tue Oct 07, 2014 3:52 pm Post subject:

talljordan · Posted: Tue Oct 07, 2014 4:20 pm Post subject:

Hey Pete,

I just rebuilt my steering column and mine fell to bits too. I couldn't find a source for a new one, but I also couldn't find anything saying what it was actually for or if it was actually necessary.

I left it out and didnt worry about it and have had no issues. It appears it wasnt really a critical part. I believe the user "Scorwanna" is in the same boat as me, he had a thread about it a while back.
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1972 Super Beetle, ~~Parked until adequate restoration funding is acquired~~ in restoration!

Wanted: Male computer diagnostic plug end

talljordan · Posted: Tue Oct 07, 2014 4:27 pm Post subject:

Its just a spacer. Not really needed.

See the thread here: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=587120
_________________
1972 Super Beetle, ~~Parked until adequate restoration funding is acquired~~ in restoration!

Wanted: Male computer diagnostic plug end

EXJAY · Posted: Tue Oct 07, 2014 4:35 pm Post subject:

Yep I had to replace mine last year due to excessive wobble in the steering wheel even though the wheel operated fine just didn't like the play in the wheel when hitting bumps or while turning. Mine was in pieces in the steering column once I pulled the wheel. Did get a replacement from MAM but like a lot of aftermarket stuff I had to file it down some to fit the steering shaft. Has a nice tight fit/feel now.
_________________
EXJAY

'74 Superbeetle (Family owned since new)
'73 181 Thing (sold)

peteandvanessa · Posted: Tue Oct 07, 2014 7:02 pm Post subject:

peteandvanessa · Posted: Tue Oct 07, 2014 7:04 pm Post subject:

green1303 · Posted: Tue Oct 07, 2014 7:23 pm Post subject:

http://www.bughaus.com/steering_column_bushing_-_111-535D.htm

http://www.bughaus.com/beetle111.htm

This one's a West Coast Metric part number and made in the USA.
_________________
1973 green Super Beetle

talljordan · Posted: Tue Oct 07, 2014 7:45 pm Post subject:

APPLEGREENVW · Posted: Tue Oct 07, 2014 7:52 pm Post subject:

Cip1, sells that spacer?
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Parts for sale https://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/search.php?username=APPLEGREENVW

02/76 Beetle sedan

peteandvanessa · Posted: Tue Oct 07, 2014 8:38 pm Post subject:

peteandvanessa · Posted: Tue Oct 07, 2014 8:39 pm Post subject:

talljordan · Posted: Tue Oct 07, 2014 8:48 pm Post subject:

EXJAY · Posted: Wed Oct 08, 2014 5:57 pm Post subject:

Yep, acts like a sleeve on the shaft that rides partially inside the bearing shaft if I recall. Should take care of any wobble as long as the bearing is seated correctly.
_________________
EXJAY

'74 Superbeetle (Family owned since new)
'73 181 Thing (sold)

peteandvanessa · Posted: Fri Oct 10, 2014 4:21 pm Post subject:

So the steering Bushing/Spacer arrived today. Time to fit it and solve all my problems with steering play. Right!!!!

Wrong!!!!!

Here's the part I ordered from the links above:

It fits over the steering shaft just fine, BUT, I think this is a replacement steering anti-rattle bushing. I have that bushing already (it's the metal one that keeps pulling out and causing the steering play mostly play in and out).

Frustrated, and thinking the correct replacement part might be made out of un-obtainium, I decided to attempt to make my own spacer.

So I went to lowes with the part that came in the mail, since it was the correct internal diameter for the spacer I needed to make.

I looked in the parts bins and couldn't find anything close, so I dropped into the plumbing section.

I found that the Thick walled schedule 40 piping is close, but the internal diameter of the pipe was a shade too small to fit over the steering wheel column shaft.

The schedule 40 pipe is this piping here:

So I got out my trusty electric mitre saw and cut a short slot through one side of the pipe (you don't want to cut through both sides or the pipe will fall into two half pieces):

Then I squared off one end and then measured how long the spacer needed to be. Then I used the mitre saw to cut a spacer to fit between the metal anti-rattle bushing and the top C Clip.

Because the piping is a little too small to slide over the column, the slot allows you to press fit the spacer over the column, but still have it snug around the steering column shaft.

Here's the spacer fitted over the steering shaft:

Then I popped the end C clip over the top of the spacer I had made:

I then checked to make sure that the cancelation ring for the turn signals cleared the spacer and would turn off the turn signals in the left and right directions, it did.

I also checked that the turn signals could be turned on, left and right, they could.

So I re-installed the steering wheel and nut, snugged it all up. And no in and out play or left and right play.

So there you go, a cheap, cheerful easy fit for the in/out play that replaces the spacer that's made out of un-obtainium
_________________
My 1974 Standard Build Thread:

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=568220&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0

My Son's 1971 Bay Window Westie Build Thread:
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=7295189#7295189

ROSCO320

If anyone needs this bush in the future? This company 3d print them.

SHAPEWAYS.COM

green1303

https://www.shapeways.com/product/GGMVQEBLJ/vw-ste...arketplace
_________________
1973 green Super Beetle

vamram

This one works, I used it on my '73.

https://www.mtmfg.com/part/view/spacer-sleeve-long...71-419-549
_________________
Eventually, "we are what we pretend to be.’”
Give peace a chance - Stop Russian-Soviet Aggression!!

'74 Super 9/16 - present, in refurb process.
'73 Super - 6/18 - Present - Daily Driver!
'75 Super Le Grande...waiting it's turn in line behind '74.
Click to view image
Save the Supers!!

brice · Samba Member Joined: February 19, 2005 Posts: 211

The future is amazing.

This part is on shapeways as previously posted; https://www.shapeways.com/product/GGMVQEBLJ/vw-ste...d=60225092

Now... Does anyone know where to get the circlip to hold it in to place / what size it is?


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