Steering Coupling Disc 211415417 (coupler)

[TRN9]

[rayroc]

I just got this german made one on ebay seems like the real deal

https://www.ebay.com/itm/372563061171

[Zeta]

[rayroc]

I will definitely follow up
Did you happen to read the lengthy description of the coupler it really goes into detail regarding the differences between an good and inferior one. You might want to email them with any questions about it I'm sure maybe they could explain what causes the issue with other brands

[kreemoweet]

[TRN9]

[sherpa7200]

Here is a look at the sheer stress on one of these poorly made reproduction steering couplings. It was installed with a rebuilt steering box about 900 miles ago. At first I didn't notice but the coupling must have stretched and become increasingly malleable over time. This is getting changed as soon as I get my hands on a decent one.

https://youtu.be/pWNEJ8VN5o8
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1978 Westfalia

[airschooled]

[raygreenwood]

Not a "shear stress" issue. Its just made with a rubber that has too high of a coefficient
of elasticity......too much elongation.

This is why I keep saying....that the vast majority of seat of the pants specifications being stated for this part....are just that.....seat of the pants.

You can buy a part like this.....and have it pass the holy grail test of not being easily "foldable" in the hand (whose hand....how long were the fingers....how powerful were the muscles....see what Im saying?).....and still have the rubber used in the part....have excessive elongation like the one in this video.

You can have the correct elongation.....but have incorrect durometer (too hard)....and most likely pass the fold test but not shear apart on impact....because the density is too high.

You can have correct durometer on the surface...but have excessively low or high durometer on the inside core (density imparted by molding pressure).

And.....who knows how much of this is actually important for the part function....as long as it not sloppy soft like that part.

It would be nice to find the original design spec. And no.....you cannot measure a 40 year old NOS part and discover the spec. Rubber changes over time.

Ray

[TomWesty]

[SGKent]

Richard Davies sold me one and it worked well. This was when he owned OeVeeDub. I bought two, they were identical in every way except one had the logo ground off. The part is supposed to allow some flex, if you aren't rolling or the tires are old and low on air pressure it will flex more than new properly inflated tires that are rolling. Over the years one will find that VW factory ones were made by more than one manufacturer.
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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

[skills@eurocarsplus]

i bought a shitload of these in about 2016, like 250 bux worth from a couple different vendors, one being CIP1 who were out of stock for a long time.

rolled the dice and bought 2 more on a recent order. they will be going back.

dude on the phone was nice enough, but "never heard of an issue and they are made in germany"

no, the stamp says that but clearly they are chinese.

i don't need any, i have more than enough for my fleet but like to have a couple kicking around for other buses that wander in here.

WW couplers are junk too, customer had one i was going to put in. didn't bother to take it out of the bag.

WW actually called me, but same deal "never had a problem" and the guy on the phone said the ones he had he could fold like a fucking hot dog bun. no refund was offered from WW

i'm at a point now where i'm going full asshole and shoving these shitty parts up vendors asses. if they refuse a RA i'll do a chargeback with my CC. fuck em.
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[VWLover77]

Has anyone found a decent source for these recently? All I can find are the junk ones mentioned in this thread.

I'm about ready to buy a used one from The Bus Co! It's not great, but it's better than what I have and at least it's OE VW!
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Don

1978 Westy
1971 Super Beetle Convertible


"If more of us valued food and cheer and song above hoarded gold, it would be a merrier world." - J.R.R. Tolkien

[Abscate]

I would not worry too much about the crash protection aspect of this part. In a pathological crash where the steering column gets upward force and skewers you, that would be between you and the creator, she probably already has tattooed a bull’s-eye on your back if you look in the mirror.
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.ssS!

[VWLover77]

I'm not worried about crash protection at all. I'm worried about steering issues should the cracks in the current coupling cause it to fail.
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Don

1978 Westy
1971 Super Beetle Convertible


"If more of us valued food and cheer and song above hoarded gold, it would be a merrier world." - J.R.R. Tolkien

[GS]

[skills@eurocarsplus]

[Wildthings]

[SGKent]

Richard Davies (OeVeeDub) helped me out here with some good original ones but last time he tried to help folks here, a member here with a big batch of his own he was trying to sell for $$$ flamed him so I think he is completely soured on getting them for us. Jeff at BusOK tries to sell things that are the equal of NOS or are NOS. He is in Europe however so postage is a but more. I don't know about FCP. The one in their image looks like it is made by SGF in Germany. The ones Richard had were genuine VW. That said, here is a post from another thread. Notice the VW emblem on one side, and SGF on the other.

[skills@eurocarsplus]