Steering Coupling Disc 211415417 (coupler)

[riverside66]

[jtauxe]

Deleted picture of wrong part.
Tcash

I got mine yesterday, having responded to this ad:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/122153686890

and it looks just like this. The logo has been ground off. But the one in the photo on the site has the logo. they even include an extra photo emphasizing the logo:
http://www.vwispwest.com/cm/251419417-3.jpg

So, first off, that is suspicious as hell. Why would they remove the logo?

Second, grinding off the logo has changed the properties of the part, and I would no longer trust it to do its job. Those little microabrasions are now points of weakness from which cracking could start.

I am returning mine since it was not ad advertised, and in my view it has been damaged.
_________________
John
"Travelling in a fried-out Kombi, on a hippie trail, head full of zombie..." - Colin Hay and Ron Strykert
http://vw.tauxe.net
1969 Transporter, 1971 Westfalia, 1976, 1977, 1976, 1977, 1971, 1973, 1977 Westfalias,
1979 Champagne Sunroof, 1974 Westfalia Automatic, 1979 Transporter, 1972 Sportsmobile, 1973 Transporter Wild Westerner, 1974 Westfalia parts bus, 1975 Mexican single cab *FOR SALE*, 1978 Irish 4-door double cab RHD

[sjbartnik]

[jtauxe]

[alman72]

I doubt it was the seller. My bet is that it was VW, what with their aggressive brand protection.

[jtauxe]

Either way. The seller should show photographs of what he is selling, though.
_________________
John
"Travelling in a fried-out Kombi, on a hippie trail, head full of zombie..." - Colin Hay and Ron Strykert
http://vw.tauxe.net
1969 Transporter, 1971 Westfalia, 1976, 1977, 1976, 1977, 1971, 1973, 1977 Westfalias,
1979 Champagne Sunroof, 1974 Westfalia Automatic, 1979 Transporter, 1972 Sportsmobile, 1973 Transporter Wild Westerner, 1974 Westfalia parts bus, 1975 Mexican single cab *FOR SALE*, 1978 Irish 4-door double cab RHD

[Xevin]

Seller stated what models it fits. Bay wasn't included. Tristessa was going by part number. It's not sellers fault. I dunno
_________________
Keep on Busin'

[captincanuck]

Finally got around to swapping out my "premium quality" disc for the OEM one I pickup from CIP1 awhile back. The new one is as below

[raygreenwood]

Well....thats not actually a very accurate method at all.

When testing rubber or any elastomer there are more measurements than just hardness...and your measurement is not one used for hardness.

Elasticity or rebound under load is actually what you seem to be trying to measure. While durometer and elasticity have their arms "interlinked".....one can increase or decrease without an exact linear affect on the other.

This is especially so with a "composite" part like the steering coupler with reinforcing strands cast into it. You will never know if what you measure is an affect from the tensile strength and elasticity of the reinforcing cords, how and if they are woven...or from the rubber itself.

The other problem here is that this type of rubber (and most for that matter)...harden with age...ALWAYS.
So if you are comparing to an original disc or an NOS disc.....the original or NOS disc will ALWAYS be harder than an identically made new one of the same material....and at this late date....decades down the line....you will have no idea of what durometer and elasticity the manufacturers actually intended it to be unless you find a blueprint with the state specification.

If you like a stiffer coupler disc...and have one that you like that is not OLD in your hand....drop into any plastics or rubber supply and have them use their durometer tester and pull tester on it to give you a durometer and elasticity/force #....then use that to compare new build discs for quality level. That takes about five minutes tops.

I think your test has some usefulness for an elasticity comparison...but not for actual hardness.

If you lived close by I could test the durometer for you. I have local connections that could test the elasticity for you....but again...if the part you are comparing it to is more than 7-10 years old....you are comparing apples to oranges. Ray

[SamboSamba22]

The coupler pulled from my dad’s 79 Transporter.

Note the maker’s mark, different from the elephant I’ve seen.
Also to note, my boys at Bus Depot DO NOT have a good coupler, I was very disappointed.
The biggest improvement I noticed from changing mine out was a “smoothness” making turns, and completing the cycle back to center of the wheel.
Edit: I located a good stiff, “Brazilian” coupler from a guy out west, you can see it as shown, this is NOT the one from BD.

_________________
The Bus Barn Ltd. Co.

Oct. ’67 Double Cab (’68 Crew Cab)
[url=http://www.vw-mplate.com/mplate-44412.png]Click to view image[/URL]
March '69 Delivery (Panel Bus)
[url=http://www.vw-mplate.com/mplate-44414.png]Click to view image[/URL]

[Tcash]

If you want to discuss feedback please post it in the appropriate thread. So anyone researching feedback can find it.

Buyer and Seller Feedback

Thank You
Tcash

[Wasted youth]

Here's a great way to waste your time and money:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S27LszXg0O8

[sjbartnik]

[Wasted youth]

[sjbartnik]

Good on you for finding it; I read your post in the your other thread about how you found it. I would never have even though to check the coupler itself for continuity. I'd probably still be trying to figure out WTF was touching ground!
_________________
1965 Volkswagen 1500 Variant S
2000 Kawasaki W650

[Sage79]

So I bought three of the good ones a while back. On my '79 and '77 it was a piece of cake. Then I went to do the '73 and that's a whole different game.

How much of the steering assembly needs to come loose or be removed in order to access the bolts through the floor? The late cover just slides up the tube, the earlier one I can't tell how it's held on. There were some earlier references in this thread but I'm still not clear and the Bentley doesn't cover just this operation.
_________________
Dirk
'79 Westy 2.0FI
'73 Sportsmobile 1.7dual Solex 003Auto - now my daughter's
'77 delux 2.0FI 090Auto - now my son's

[Sage79]

Nobody wants to help me out here? The bus is now my daughter's so it's not at my house and I want to get the procedure and tools figured out before I try again. Thanks,
_________________
Dirk
'79 Westy 2.0FI
'73 Sportsmobile 1.7dual Solex 003Auto - now my daughter's
'77 delux 2.0FI 090Auto - now my son's

[BayCreamPuff]

You can replace the coupling disc without taking any of the steering column apart. In fact the Bentley has you remove the coupling bolts before removing the steering column on page 28 of the Front Axle section.
_________________
Cream Puff
'79 CA Stock FI Deluxe Campmobile

Earl Grey
'87 GoWesty 2.2 Westfalia

Marsha Mellow
'00 Eurovan VR6 Full Camper

[kreemoweet]

The early bay (68-74) steering column and cover plate were connected by means of a plastic bushing. It has been reported here by many that
separating the two without destroying the bushing is quite difficult, and in any case will invoke strong language and sometimes bloodshed. Given
that, you will probably want to work from below on your '73.
_________________
'67 bug: seized by the authorities
'68 bug: seized by the authorities
'71 kombi: not yet seized by the authorities

Stop dead photo links! Post your photos to The Samba Gallery!

[Hoody]

If you do destroy the plastic collar they are available repopped. Can't remember where maybe WCM?