steering box cover trouble.

[pafree]

1972 type 1 stock steering box. cut and turned front end. 700x15s.

what would cause the steering box cover to blow all four tabs, lift up and cause the steering wheel to free wheel? no high speeds but lots of bumps and ruts on the deer lease. the only other change from stock is that i didn't use the stock steering column and extended the tube and used a U-bolt to hold it up. could it be too much angle for the steering box shaft? i thought between the mesh crush section the steering coupler( rubber) would make up for it.

[BearBroth]

The tie rods transfer shock loads to the pitman, straight up through the box, and to the box cover. This is true specially if there's play in your box already. If you get a big washer (I forget the size exactly) big enough to snugly fit onto the shaft coming out of the box, it'll take up whatever slack exists that allows the box to get pounded. IIRC this is covered in the Dunebuggy book. someone else may have a better explanation but I did it to my baja years back and it still takes a pounding with no issues.
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"It is possible to store the mind with a million facts and still be entirely uneducated."
- Alec Bourne

[pafree]

[Madkel]

Greetings,
Find some new or used 4th gear thrust washers from a vw trans shop and put them on the output shaft above the pitman arm. Bolt the arm back on and you are good to go.

If I remember correctly, the early type washer fit a bit better than the late type. I was able to get 2 washers on my 181 box.

The washers spread the vertical force on to the steering box housing and help to prevent shaft from blowing out the top of the box.
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1973 Type 181 - 2016cc - 091 trans
ITS A FUN RIDE!

[pafree]

[Lotrat]

Alternator shims work great. You need a new cover? I have one you can have. Shoot me a PM.

[pafree]

[Lotrat]