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THINGONER Samba Member
Joined: April 13, 2008 Posts: 674 Location: riverside ca
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Posted: Tue Sep 14, 2021 7:09 am Post subject: Steering wheel off center |
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My steering wheel is not centered-meaning turned left maybe a quarter turn when driving straight ahead. Everything that is part of the steering-arm coming off gearbox-tie rods etc. is tight. Any ideas what could cause this? I haven’t done any work to cars steering mechanism. It does have a TRW steering box which is about 10 yrs old. Thank you. |
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Pops67Beetle Samba Member
Joined: January 03, 2021 Posts: 127 Location: Queens, NY
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Posted: Tue Sep 14, 2021 7:15 am Post subject: Re: Steering wheel off center |
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Has it ever been straight? Did this happen suddenly or over time or has it been this way since you started driving it? _________________ When I close my eyes I’m a little kid riding in the cubby..... Priceless!
13 y/o son’s quote while watching us replace the pedal cluster…. “Who says the Germans lost the war.”
67 Beetle bought new, 95% stock. |
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THINGONER Samba Member
Joined: April 13, 2008 Posts: 674 Location: riverside ca
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Posted: Tue Sep 14, 2021 10:19 am Post subject: Re: Steering wheel off center |
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Yes it was definitely straight at one time. I think it happened all of a sudden when I cranked the wheel all the way to the left one day. I am wondering if there’s a way the wheel itself (bracket) could have slipped? Than you for the reply. |
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Semper_Dad Samba Member
Joined: May 14, 2005 Posts: 3506 Location: Indiana
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Posted: Tue Sep 14, 2021 11:43 am Post subject: Re: Steering wheel off center |
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Do you have a stock wheel? What's the condition of the steering coupler under the gas tank? The steering wheel is splined to the shaft. The coupler is a "rubber and rag" so the steering shaft isn't solid to the steering gear. You could simply set your front wheels straight, remove the cover, remove the wheel and place it in the correct origination. Although, I'd still be curious as to why and how it misaligned. _________________ Walküre Restoration Thread: https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=737492 |
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THINGONER Samba Member
Joined: April 13, 2008 Posts: 674 Location: riverside ca
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Posted: Tue Sep 14, 2021 12:00 pm Post subject: Re: Steering wheel off center |
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Yes I hear you-as you said I’m curious to why/what happened-I will inspect further and check the coupler-I do have stock wheels thanks! |
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TDCTDI Samba Advocatus Diaboli
Joined: August 31, 2013 Posts: 12815 Location: North Carolina
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Posted: Tue Sep 14, 2021 1:03 pm Post subject: Re: Steering wheel off center |
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There are also cinch bolts on either side of the steering coupler that will allow rotation under extreme force if the bolts aren’t quite tight enough. _________________ Everybody born before 1975 has a story, good, bad, or indifferent, about a VW.
GOFUNDYOURSELF, quit asking everyone to do it for you!
An air cooled VW will make you a hoarder.
Do something, anything, to your project every day, and you will eventually complete it. |
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THINGONER Samba Member
Joined: April 13, 2008 Posts: 674 Location: riverside ca
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Posted: Tue Sep 14, 2021 2:03 pm Post subject: Re: Steering wheel off center |
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Oh yeah good call I’m gonna check those |
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Pops67Beetle Samba Member
Joined: January 03, 2021 Posts: 127 Location: Queens, NY
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Posted: Tue Sep 14, 2021 2:15 pm Post subject: Re: Steering wheel off center |
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While you are under there remove the access panel for the steering adjustment screw and align the notch in the steering box (at the rear of the box on the input shaft) so it is pointing at 12 o’clock and see if the wheels and or steering wheel is straight. _________________ When I close my eyes I’m a little kid riding in the cubby..... Priceless!
13 y/o son’s quote while watching us replace the pedal cluster…. “Who says the Germans lost the war.”
67 Beetle bought new, 95% stock. |
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THINGONER Samba Member
Joined: April 13, 2008 Posts: 674 Location: riverside ca
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Posted: Tue Sep 14, 2021 3:51 pm Post subject: Re: Steering wheel off center |
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Ok I will have to
Look at that it’s been so long since I put the car together I can’t remember ever doing that thank you |
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THINGONER Samba Member
Joined: April 13, 2008 Posts: 674 Location: riverside ca
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Posted: Sat Sep 18, 2021 3:31 pm Post subject: Re: Steering wheel off center |
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-update-
Today I had the wifey turn the wheel back and forth(with wheels on ground) as I laid under the front end i didn't see anything slipping or abnormal. I think I am going to take out the rubber donut and check to see if the holes oblonged. Also was thinking of pulling the steering wheel to see if something happened with the center piece. |
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THINGONER Samba Member
Joined: April 13, 2008 Posts: 674 Location: riverside ca
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Posted: Mon Sep 20, 2021 4:19 pm Post subject: Re: Steering wheel off center |
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Does anyone know what the ring at the top of the picture is for-it moves pretty freely not sure if that is normal?
Also I think the off center may have occurred because there was some slippage at this clamp. The short male shaft is splined and I see it has a flat spot for the bolt to go thru-I am thinking it slipped a little here. Is the female part that the clamp goes around just smooth inside? Maybe I need a new clamp and bolt?
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KAmes Samba Member
Joined: February 16, 2014 Posts: 876 Location: Illinois
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Posted: Mon Sep 20, 2021 6:41 pm Post subject: Re: Steering wheel off center |
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I think there are splines inside the female part also, but really they are not very deep more like grooves than splines. I would suggest getting it good and tight and see how it does, you probably won't have any more trouble with it. It can't really go anywhere because of the flat and the bolt, as you observed. The ring at the top is to stop the steering shaft moving through the tube towards the driver in a crash and force the lattice section to crush instead. A little play is normal as it just clips on there. I think mine is missing, I should get one. |
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THINGONER Samba Member
Joined: April 13, 2008 Posts: 674 Location: riverside ca
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Hot Rod Harp Samba Member
Joined: March 02, 2008 Posts: 186 Location: Englewood, New Jersey
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Posted: Tue Sep 21, 2021 6:33 pm Post subject: Re: Steering wheel off center |
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I don't think the rag joint is bolted correctly, the nuts should be on opposite sides.
_________________ 74 Thing 1600DP
76 Westfalia 2.0L FI
69 Beetle 1500SP sold
88 Goldwing GL1500/6 sold
RinTinTin in Waldorf Astoria 1956 |
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THINGONER Samba Member
Joined: April 13, 2008 Posts: 674 Location: riverside ca
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Posted: Tue Sep 21, 2021 10:10 pm Post subject: Re: Steering wheel off center |
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I don't think the rag joint is bolted correctly, the nuts should be on opposite sides.
Oh I see probably a safety thing-I will have to change that. Thanks!
I ordered the rubber disc and a new clamp from Wolfsburg West should be here soon. |
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