Bearings for steering box rebuild

[LOTYP3]

So I decided to take on the task of rebuilding the steering box for my 54 project, everything came out without too much hassle but the second bearing at the end of the worm fell apart when it was pressed out! Knew it was all happening too far too easily!

My question is, has anyone had any luck sourcing replacement bearings for the steering box? I've spent the last few hours searching on the net for an answer withou much luck.

Now I have a second oval steering box that I can salvage the bearing from, but I was planning to keep that one as a spare. Any help would be appreciated!

[TheLadyBug]

I did not find any bearings for my 54 box. I ended up buying a replacement box as the originals were notorious for leaking and often they were operated dry, wearing out the bearings inside. I've heard stories of those bearings going for a lot of money since they're so hard to come by.
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Charmaine
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1954 Beetle - because I can
2016 Golf highline - hubby’s daily
2016 Golf R - my daily

[splitjunkie]

The rubber seals are off the shelf seals for both split and oval boxes so the bearing might be off the shelf parts too.

If the bearings are off the shelf bearings then they might be inexpensive if purchased from a bearing supply house. Even if they are off the shelf bearings, you will pay a premium for NOS VW just because they are VW sourced parts.
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Chris

You know, a lot of these scratches will buff right out... Jerry Seinfeld

[LOTYP3]

I found this post in this thread: http://www.thesamba.com/vw//forum/viewtopic.php?p=7564409&highlight=#7564409

[60ragtop]

while the seals are off the shelf, the bearings are not.. At least when I tried to find some I couldn't.
They come up every once in awhile for sale. How bad are the bearings now?
_________________
Rick
Certified Mechanic by the State of Michigan in 1977
ASA certified in 1987
Certified Hunter Wheel Alignment Master Technician 1986

[blood]

I tried to find the same bearings for my 44. searched but no luck. you can replace the loose balls by measuring the diameter and buying loose bicycle crank ball bearings if the shaft (inner race) and outer race are not too badly galled. the solid rubber output seal was also unavailable so I found a close replacement in a standard wiper seal but had to bore the box body out to fit. If anybody can supply bearings I would like to purchase a set
David

[jason]

I took mine apart recently. Put new seals in and clened the races. Mine also came apart and I noticed some pits on the balls. I bought 100 bearings for $5.00 and popped them in.

[jason]

You could probably turn your box for a square bearing.

[LOTYP3]

I think my outer race could be salvageable, but my inner race is wrecked.

I have been on the phone with FAG Bearings to try and make sense of that part number, no luck with that exact one, but another lead has me onto another bearing numbered FAG200078C that could work.

They no longer produce the bearing though so I'll need to find a stockist with them still in stock, and then at least get a photo of it to see if I'm even on the right track!

Gotta love these early cars

[LOTYP3]

OK it looks like I'm looking for the right thing, didn't even realise this page was only a few clicks away!

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/archives/info/bearingref_t1_kg_t3.php

So that 200078 part number is correct, now its just a matter of hunting that down...

[Jrb572]

I don't know if it's even possible. Can you send it to bearing company to match it up with one they still have available?

[splitjunkie]

As a starting point for research, they are single row angular contact ball bearings with no cage and the inner race is integral to the worm shaft. These are different from your average ball bearing which is referred to as a radial bearing.
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Chris

You know, a lot of these scratches will buff right out... Jerry Seinfeld

[LOTYP3]

Thanks for the help.

I've managed to track down a couple FAG200078 bearings in the UK but none with the 'D' suffix. None of the suppliers can give me much more information about the bearing they have beside they fact that it's in stock which is annoying, I might just have to buy one and roll the dice.

I also found this NSN Document that confirms all the numbers match and this particular bearing's use for the 'steering shaft'. Can anyone shed any light on the other serial numbers on this page?

https://www.nsncenter.co.uk/NSN/3110-12-123-8422

[LOTYP3]

Just a quick update, I have sourced the bearings — and they didnt cost me a limb!

Both the FAG and SKF part number are for the same bearing and they're out there, but I had to get in touch with a number of places locally and internationally before I found them.

[Snort]

That's good news. Perhaps you could share the source of your new bearings for anyone else that might want them.

[LOTYP3]

Ended up getting it via Eastern Bearings locally, they sourced it from a UK company that I found but they were able to get a better price via trade rates than me going directly + shipping.

As far as I'm aware I got the last ones from those guys. They have a single SKF bearing in stock as well now too if someone is just looking for a single one.

[j-dub]

Bump in hopes that someone has found a source for these bearings.
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1957 Oval rag
"POLICE STATION TOILET STOLEN ... Cops have nothing to go on."

[j-dub]

Just found a source, expensive but if you need them you need them.

https://www.vwnos.com/111-415-227
_________________
1957 Oval rag
"POLICE STATION TOILET STOLEN ... Cops have nothing to go on."

[heimlich]