steering box woes...

[MTT3107]

So, I replaced my front beam with an adjustable beam, and in the process replaced the seals on the control arms, ball joints, tie rod ends, and steering damper, one thing remained :

The steering box.

So, instead of going through the process of rebuilding mine, I opted for a replacement unit.
Got it from one of the online dealers for s good price.. Or so I thought...

I say this because the unit, made by TRW in Brazil, turned out to be junk....
Lots of slop, and when I try to adjust it, all that happens is that the steering gets stiff....

Guess I should have read up on this before buying....

So, back to square one, I am considering getting a rebuild kit from VWnos.com

Does any body here have experience with these rebuild kits ?

Considering that this kit costs more than the new steering box I bought, just want to make sure it's worth it...
I'm ok with spending the $$ as long as it gets me a decent functioning steering box

[Cusser]

[baldessariclan]

I never bought that whole kit at once, but have bought individual steering box components here and there from VWNOS in the past. Everything I've ever received from him has always been of acceptable quality, so suspect that entire kit is a good bet as well. Make sure you get the one that has the new worm and roller included, since you'll often find substantial and/or irreparable wear & damage to those components when you take an old used box apart.

Recommend reading and following the steering box rebuild procedure outlined in the Bentley manual. Note that you probably won't have a few of the alignment tools mentioned in there, so you'll likely have to do a bit of improvising / manual calculations for the various adjustments.

I also highly recommend reading through the following thread before embarking on a steering box rebuild -- it's long, but full of a lot of good information. Good luck! :

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=660446&highlight=steering+box
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1971 Standard Beetle — fairly stock / driver

baldessariclan -- often in error, never in doubt...

[baldessariclan]

Oh yeah, and like Cusser said above, return that other POS box to wherever you got it for a full refund -- insist on it!!
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1971 Standard Beetle — fairly stock / driver

baldessariclan -- often in error, never in doubt...

[busman78]

Why rebuild when for about $85.00 more than the price of a kit you can get the whole steering box, pre-filled with Corn Head grease. I have one, it is nice.

[MTT3107]

[baldessariclan]

[MTT3107]

Dune buggy warehouse

==> https://dunebuggywarehouse.com/

[baldessariclan]

[MTT3107]

will do.

I think it will be ok, I bought it from them through amazon, and amazon is usually pretty good with returns.

[Buggeee]

[frenchroast]

I like to support Samba advertisers and sellers that support the hobby with good quality, reliable parts and service (i.e., not amazon, ebay, chinese counterfeit discount sellers).

Example: https://www.cbperformance.com/product-p/6250.htm

There is one ebay used parts seller that I do like. Good service and a good selection OG small parts: https://www.ebay.com/itm/233955983868?hash=item3678dd01fc:g:6BMAAOSw7WZjPvMt

[Cusser]

I've dealt with Claude's Buggies/CB Performance since 1976, and feel that they choose/sell parts that they've actually tried and checked out.

I've also been to Chirco in Tucson, and they sell parts that they use in their adjoining service/repair shop. Contact Joe Chirco there.
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1970 VW (owned since 1972) and 1971 VW Convertible (owned since 1976), second owner of each. The '71 now has the 1835 engine, swapped from the '70. Second owner of each. 1988 Mazda B2200 truck, 1998 Frontier, 2014 Yukon, 2004 Frontier King Cab. All manual transmission except for the Yukon. http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_page.php?pic_id=335294 http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_page.php?pic_id=335297

[MTT3107]

So, I was able to return the steering box I got from Dune Buggy Warehouse via Amazon, for a full refund, all good.

I then followed the advice given here, and got me a complete steering box from VWnos.com, instead of buying the rebuild kit and do it myself.

Got the unit, installed it, and the results have been less than stellar....

The new, rebuilt unit has far more slop in it than my old original one.
I contacted Marcel at VWnos, and I am sending the unit back to the builder, in OK.
Marcel told me that an inch of play is acceptable, the new unit has almost 2.5 in play, my old one has 1.5 in..
He also told me to try and adjust it, tried that, loosened the lock nut and tried to adjust the adjustment screw, but it gets tight as soon as I start turning it, no adjustment left.

I assume, when we talk about the amount of play, we mean the play measured at the circumference of the steering wheel ?

In that case, with a OEM steering wheel, it would show even more play, my steering wheel is aftermarket, with a smaller diameter.

Links to short videos, showing the play at the steering wheel for both units :

New steering box :
https://photos.app.goo.gl/sexPJG5N8k6bgzs3A

My original steering box :
https://photos.app.goo.gl/zuPbX7JDRXwMhrue9

[NachoCar]

I TOO need a new steering box.

This one SOUNDS good but......crazy $$$$.

Anyone heard of or know anything applicable?

https://www.airkewld.com/OEM-PRObuilt-Steering-Box-2480-p/2480.htm

[baldessariclan]

[MTT3107]

Ok, like I said, I have been in touch with Marcel at WNos, and I a sending the unit back, and he assured me that it will be fixed or replaced.

Will report back once that happens.

Regarding the play :
Like I showed in my 2 videos, both the steering boxes from VWNos and my original one, have considerably more than 1" of play.

I'll be happy with one that has an 1" or less.

[baldessariclan]

Yeah, that's definitely a ton of play shown in each of those videos (scary - !!). If and when you get it down to 1" or less, can guarantee that you're going to be a lot happier when driving around.

And yes, please do report on your final results - be good to know if we finally have a source for acceptable quality new steering boxes.
_________________
1971 Standard Beetle — fairly stock / driver

baldessariclan -- often in error, never in doubt...

[KTPhil]

Please be sure all other elements of the steering "chain" are spot on (coupler, box mounting, pitman arm, ball joints, tie rod ends, wheel bearings.

Adjustment is tricky... easy to overtighten. Proper method is to remove play with the steering wheel turned 90 degrees after finding the center position carefully. This means a slight preload at the center position. Overdo this, or adjust without centering the box first, and it will wear out quickly!

[heimlich]

Tim is going to take a look at the box that was purchased. In the last shipment from Brazil there was 0.8% I think that's pretty good. Most of steering play issues are due to an adjustment needed or some other part of steering that has play in it. Unfortunately, not everyone is as good as Tim in adjusting a box.
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