Steering Box Bind?

NorCalWeekender · Posted: Sun Apr 27, 2008 8:16 pm Post subject: Steering Box Bind?

I'm not sure if bind is the right word, but when I turn it about 15 degrees to the left or right I can feel the steering hesitate just a tiny bit. It's like it meets a tiny bit of resistance, then gets past it. Imagine rolling a pencil across a surface with a small groove in it...your finger is enough to feel it dip into the groove and then push it back out, but it slows you down just a little.

I haven't had the chance to crawl underneath and look for anything obviously out of place, but I didn't see anything quite the same in searching and would like some idea of what it could be or what I should be looking for.
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9th Owner of a 1971 Tintop Westy

"Eventually, we sold to a guy for $500 who towed it away to live in it in his parents' driveway. We didn't think it would ever avoid the junk heap on that day." -The 3rd Owner, 1995

campingbox · Posted: Sun Apr 27, 2008 8:27 pm Post subject:

Sounds like the steering box might be adjusted just a hair too tight. Is this a recent problem or something that has been around for a while?

NorCalWeekender · Posted: Sun Apr 27, 2008 8:34 pm Post subject:

I only first noticed it the other day.
_________________
9th Owner of a 1971 Tintop Westy

"Eventually, we sold to a guy for $500 who towed it away to live in it in his parents' driveway. We didn't think it would ever avoid the junk heap on that day." -The 3rd Owner, 1995

krisbeetle · Samba Member Joined: September 30, 2005 Posts: 779

Merlin · Posted: Mon Apr 28, 2008 5:23 am Post subject:

Same problem on my '67. Smile

I thought perhaps it was intended to be that way... Embarassed

If for whatever reason, adjusting the steering box doesn't work, what then?

N.
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the3rdrock.com - …musings, discoveries and postulating, by a restless itinerant in search of enlightenment.

NorCalWeekender · Posted: Mon Apr 28, 2008 6:04 am Post subject:

Interesting! I'm glad it's not just me actually. Now...as to what exactly causes it....
_________________
9th Owner of a 1971 Tintop Westy

"Eventually, we sold to a guy for $500 who towed it away to live in it in his parents' driveway. We didn't think it would ever avoid the junk heap on that day." -The 3rd Owner, 1995

BarryL · Posted: Mon Apr 28, 2008 8:10 am Post subject:

Try disconnecting one end of the dampener and see if it's still there. Also put the front up on jackstands and hand turn the wheels and steering wheel individually. Try to watch all the knuckles and feel for the mini-clunk.

NorCalWeekender · Posted: Mon Apr 28, 2008 9:05 am Post subject:

Dampner. Good idea. I'm going to have the front end up this weekend to fiddle with the brakes, so I'll check for that and anything else then.
_________________
9th Owner of a 1971 Tintop Westy

"Eventually, we sold to a guy for $500 who towed it away to live in it in his parents' driveway. We didn't think it would ever avoid the junk heap on that day." -The 3rd Owner, 1995

NorCalWeekender · Posted: Mon May 26, 2008 3:40 pm Post subject:

Well, here's a really late update.

Thought it was the dampner...so I replaced it. Then I felt like I could feel the binding spots even more than I did before!

Fast forward to yesterday and I was driving through the Santa Cruz mountains when it started to feel very difficult to turn left. More and more effort was needed. Luckily made it home and put the steering box high on my list of things to work on today.

Planned to check the oil level in and make an adjustment. Got the front end off the ground, cleaned up the box (were they all stamped Ross or do I have a replacement?), removed the plug, and started to fill it. Wound up overfilling it, so I let gravity do its work and wait to put the plug back in.

Now, as I was waiting, I noticed a darker gooey oil come out of the box where the horn wire exits. Should that be happening!?

I have the feeling it might be time for a new box, but I want to get some opinions from the peanut gallery.
_________________
9th Owner of a 1971 Tintop Westy

"Eventually, we sold to a guy for $500 who towed it away to live in it in his parents' driveway. We didn't think it would ever avoid the junk heap on that day." -The 3rd Owner, 1995

rockettdoggie · Posted: Tue Aug 26, 2008 9:58 am Post subject:

Same problem different box.

I have replaced everything in the front end:
Spindles
Tire Rods & Ends
Drag Link
Center Pin Bushing
Shocks

The only thing left is the damn Steering box.

I drove it after a slight lowering job, Just dropped spindles and 1 notch in the rear. Now the box keeps getting tighter and tighter. I stop by Mikey's house but turning into his street I turn a 90 right and it will not return to straight. WTF?? So I get it down the street to his house and there is not a drop of oil in the box. We fill it up, loosen up the adjuster and it helps a little. Of course on the test drive we still can't turn back from right too well. I manage to limp it home and can only assume it is the steering box because everything else is new/rebuilt.

Any suggesstions or Ideas?
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57 Oval

NorCalWeekender · Posted: Tue Aug 26, 2008 1:12 pm Post subject:

Well, FWIW, it did turn out to be my steering box. I got a replacement, but if you do the same DO NOT go through BFY. Pure headaches with those guys.
_________________
9th Owner of a 1971 Tintop Westy

"Eventually, we sold to a guy for $500 who towed it away to live in it in his parents' driveway. We didn't think it would ever avoid the junk heap on that day." -The 3rd Owner, 1995

rockettdoggie · Posted: Wed Aug 27, 2008 7:43 am Post subject:

Thanks for the info. I will be looking into a used replacement instead of a rebuilt.
_________________
57 Oval

crofty · Posted: Wed Aug 27, 2008 7:58 am Post subject:

77ducci · Posted: Wed Aug 27, 2008 8:05 am Post subject:

I was having the same exact problem on my westy after I lowered it. I noticed when I raised it to look at everything it would be just fine. When I dropped it again the problem would come back. I then looked at the steering arm on the spindle Wink

That was the problem the bolt (one of the locking bolt I think) was interfacing with the steering arm. A small amount of grinding and problem fixed. I was thinking it was my steering box for sure as well.

rockettdoggie · Posted: Thu Aug 28, 2008 9:08 am Post subject:

Do you have any more info on this? Picture or maybe a little better explanation? I only installed drop spindles and it got progressively worse through out the day. I am 99% sure it is the box as when I opened it it had no oil, none, not a drop, not even to get my finger a little dirty, nothing. It did improve after I added the oil but I think the damage was done.
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57 Oval

77ducci · Posted: Thu Aug 28, 2008 9:35 am Post subject:

From the gallery:

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

dstefun · Posted: Thu Aug 28, 2008 8:25 pm Post subject:

NorCalWeekender · Posted: Thu Aug 28, 2008 9:34 pm Post subject:

BFY deals with a third party builder. I have his phone number.
_________________
9th Owner of a 1971 Tintop Westy

"Eventually, we sold to a guy for $500 who towed it away to live in it in his parents' driveway. We didn't think it would ever avoid the junk heap on that day." -The 3rd Owner, 1995

don.ville · Posted: Fri Aug 29, 2008 4:41 am Post subject:

Word of advice : Don't buy steering box from BFY, and I am not the only one that will tell you this.
Look in the Feedback forum and search BFY, there are 13 pages of information (mostly negative)

Here is ONE example why below:
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=2995795#2995795
_________________

67 Standard 11 window How I Keep My Bus Alive
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ozark23 · Posted: Sun Oct 10, 2021 2:36 pm Post subject: Re: Steering Box Bind?

Just read this thread.....same thing happened to me on the way to buses and balloons....loosened steering box screw 1/4 turn and perfecto.....
Thanks to Kody @ the camp site for the help!


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