steering opinion

[SGKent]

Here is the German H model. It has more wear than the G model I have. I will know if new bearings helped when it is reassembled. The only differences I can see with the French model is that the processes making the German model were more brutal based on bluing colors. Also the adjusting screw lock nut has a red seal in it, the ball bearing cages are a little better made and the tolerances are slightly less on the German one as some of the parts show no wear but they are looser. There is no plastiic shield around the lower shaft protrusion. The steel shows signs of minor rust and pitting around the upper seal, perhaps the steel is a different alloy. Everything else looks the same. My guess is that the main difference between the G and H model steering is where they were made (the G being France and the H being Germany.

[SGKent]

two other differences between the French G and the German H.

French G .................................................................................................German H model

[SGKent]

After cleaning the H model, replacing the ball bearings with new Grade 25 bearings, the top and bottom seals, and setting the adjustment per Bentley, the lash is now about normal, maybe a tad more. There was some wear on the peg gear so I will still look for another gear to replace this one and either sell the G model as the thread size is different on the G model, or find a nut.

It was an interesting project.

[SGKent]

Does anyone have a junk/scrap 1973 model 211415049G steering box they can pull the nut and fold over washer from that holds the drop arm on? I am not getting any hits on the wanted ad for the nut that goes on the gearbox in this thread and can't use it without the nut.

The nut is smaller than the H version so a late nut won't work. The only year the G appears to be from is a 1973. The box will read made in France (by Gemmer). I believe it was the first year the ZF boxes were made and they were made under license by Gemmer in France. Later ZF moved the production to Germany under license to Gemmer but the nut size changed.
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“Most people don’t know what they’re doing, and a lot of them are really good at it.” - George Carlin

[SGKent]

want to revisit this. Has anyone purchased a late TRW steering gear in the last year and if so what is your experience like? How does it perform and wear?
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“Most people don’t know what they’re doing, and a lot of them are really good at it.” - George Carlin

[KlassicBus79]

Hey SGKent.
I put one of these steering boxes that I bought from German Supply in my bus. Not sure if I can give you any useful advice on wear etc. I filled it with Royal Purple 85W-140 gear oil and installed it with no issues at all.

As for wear I only have about 3000 km on it since I replaced it, but it seems alright and still way better than the 6 inches of play I had in the old leaky one.
As for steering improvement I replaced a lot of stuff at the same time. Coupler, ball joints, steering damper, calipers and brakes, wheels and tires, and pivot pin. As well I think the beam got greased for the first time in 10 years.
I guess all I can tell you is that it goes where I want it to go. A big improvement over what I had before. I decided to do all this the day I got into a speed wobble while driving alongside a city bus.
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79 Cal Transporter 2L

[Stuartzickefoose]

anyone got a link for that steering box? i need a new one soon too...
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Stuart Zickefoose

2011 Jetta Sportwagen TDi 6 speed manual

206-841-7324
[email protected]

[SGKent]

[Chris_914]

[Stuartzickefoose]

[KlassicBus79]

SGKent I have about a 1/2 inch of play either side of the center of the steering wheel right now. With the old box I had between 3 and 4 each side. For me an awesome improvement.
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79 Cal Transporter 2L

[cdennisg]

SG Kent, any chance you still have all of those missing photos somewhere? This thread would be much better if the photos were still available to us.
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nothing

[SGKent]

the server is turned off as to those photos. It costs me about $100 a year to keep it on plus fix the things hackers get into. I've tried to change the photos to download here but the threads are locked due to age.
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“Most people don’t know what they’re doing, and a lot of them are really good at it.” - George Carlin

[SGKent]

Thanks Bob - This really is the Holy Grail for Bays. Don't know how you do it but we need to send you to Washington to teach them how to procure things.

This one was made in 1982 West Germany by ZF so it post dates the last German Bay ever made made. They don't fit Vanagons as they are rack and pinion. No question that it is NOS. Bet these are the last two in the world or close to it.

Cant't thank you enough for sharing.

I'll take reading on the torque to spin and thru center for a NOS unit, then post here as soon as I can.


SK

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“Most people don’t know what they’re doing, and a lot of them are really good at it.” - George Carlin

[Hoody]

You are more than welcome my friend! I have found 3 of these in 7 years. Few people are concerned with such attention to detail. That is why you own it.

[ivwshane]

Nothing to add but it's good to see you are still posting steve! I was starting to get worried!
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77 westy 2.0 FI
69 ghia coup 1600dp
70 single cab

[SGKent]

[SGKent]

Someone asked me tonight, in a round about way how do you rebuild a late box. What about parts?

Let me be really clear on this. You need a good unworn box to begin with, preferably something off a low mileage bus that has been sitting on a shelf for 20 years and needs new seals because they have hardened. When I was looking for a good box for this restoration, I threw away quite a few boxes because they were too worn when they were opened up - mostly due to being run bone dry.

Once you find that low mileage box and you want to rebuild it, bearings and seals are available. Even a middle mileage box can often be rebuilt if it has not been run dry. If you see hollowing out on the gears or roller they are too far gone to be a good core to rebuild. Look for another. If you aren't up to it remember that a steering component failure can cause accidents and even death so don't take on a task you aren't qualified for.
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“Most people don’t know what they’re doing, and a lot of them are really good at it.” - George Carlin

[Amskeptic]

[SGKent]