Hello! Log in or Register   |  Help  |  Donate  |  Buy Shirts See all banner ads | Advertise on TheSamba.com  
TheSamba.com
 
Steering column play
Forum Index -> Bay Window Bus Share: Facebook Twitter
Reply to topic
Print View
Quick sort: Show newest posts on top | Show oldest posts on top View previous topic :: View next topic  
Author Message
obx71super
Samba Member


Joined: December 16, 2012
Posts: 340
Location: Outer Banks NC
obx71super is offline 

PostPosted: Sun Apr 03, 2022 3:45 pm    Post subject: Steering column play Reply with quote

I have a 73 bus I’m trying to finish up. There’s play in the steering column (front to back) as you’re sitting in the drivers seat. What parts could cause this/do I need to change? Thanks everyone!
_________________
71 super auto stick basically original minus a couple resprays
73 Westy automatic with a 2 liter gex, soon to be a 1.8 liter Headflow masters
Newest Addition!! Solid straight 74 thing totally disassembled!! YEEEWWWW
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
cellobus1
Samba Member


Joined: June 10, 2014
Posts: 282
Location: East Tennessee
cellobus1 is offline 

PostPosted: Sun Apr 03, 2022 6:27 pm    Post subject: Re: Steering column play Reply with quote

I had this problem for years, as I think you're describing it. Seemed to drive ok anyway, just I knew it wasn't right. There's a spring (113 415 587A) under the steering wheel that is either missing or broken. I had the steering wheel off to replace the ignition switch last year and found I had no spring. It's still back-ordered at Busdepot, I found one at a local shop. Slightly bigger than a valve spring and slightly thinner wire. Also the basket that holds the spring is notoriously mortal. I have a '76, the fiche led me to believe that your year would be the same.

Andy
_________________
1976 unrestored daily driver Standard bus, "Stella"
formerly, 1959 Standard bus
formerly, 1973 transporter which was 4 years old when it taught me to drive
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Gallery Classifieds Feedback
metahacker
Samba Member


Joined: May 26, 2010
Posts: 690
Location: san.diego
metahacker is offline 

PostPosted: Sun Apr 03, 2022 9:00 pm    Post subject: Re: Steering column play Reply with quote

i believe anything made before 03/74 will have a spring/collet in the column ... that can wear / break

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

it's probably that

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


the bad news is that... the part may no longer be available

the good news is that a much better part (than what it came with) is available to replace it Smile

you can get it here
https://www.westcoastmetric.com/i-22969616-211-585a.html
or
http://litesteer.com/products/early-bay-top-column-bearing-assembly/
or
https://www.customandcommercial.com/vw-baywindow/b...h74_28202/
or
https://www.heritagepartscentre.com/us/211415585a-steering-column-top-bearing-and-retainer.html

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

and you can see by the looks of it... it's a needle bearing... much nicer than the unsupported horseshit that was there before Wink
should do wonders Smile fitting it, alone, should make your Bus feel like it just went up $10K in value..... Smile
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Classifieds Feedback
obx71super
Samba Member


Joined: December 16, 2012
Posts: 340
Location: Outer Banks NC
obx71super is offline 

PostPosted: Mon Apr 04, 2022 4:26 am    Post subject: Re: Steering column play Reply with quote

Thanks!! Is the installation simple? Can I do it with the column still in the bus? Just remove the steering wheel and tap the bearing and retainer down on top of the existing bearing in a column? Thanks again!
_________________
71 super auto stick basically original minus a couple resprays
73 Westy automatic with a 2 liter gex, soon to be a 1.8 liter Headflow masters
Newest Addition!! Solid straight 74 thing totally disassembled!! YEEEWWWW
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
metahacker
Samba Member


Joined: May 26, 2010
Posts: 690
Location: san.diego
metahacker is offline 

PostPosted: Mon Apr 04, 2022 10:29 am    Post subject: Re: Steering column play Reply with quote

Yes, precisely

Remove the steering wheel..... then remove the old spring/metal collar holding it (you won't need either)...

Clean everything well, I assume applying some high quality grease would be a good idea, since I don't see an inner race (e.g. bearing isn't already sealed)....

carefully tap the new guy home... reinstall wheel
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Classifieds Feedback
obx71super
Samba Member


Joined: December 16, 2012
Posts: 340
Location: Outer Banks NC
obx71super is offline 

PostPosted: Tue Apr 05, 2022 4:49 am    Post subject: Re: Steering column play Reply with quote

Awesome! Thanks for the advise, will it be obvious where the bearing wants to be on the shaft?
_________________
71 super auto stick basically original minus a couple resprays
73 Westy automatic with a 2 liter gex, soon to be a 1.8 liter Headflow masters
Newest Addition!! Solid straight 74 thing totally disassembled!! YEEEWWWW
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
kreemoweet
Samba Member


Joined: March 13, 2008
Posts: 3889
Location: Seattle, WA
kreemoweet is offline 

PostPosted: Tue Apr 05, 2022 10:04 am    Post subject: Re: Steering column play Reply with quote

metahacker wrote:
.... then remove the old spring/metal collar holding it (you won't need either)...


I believe the spring should be left in place, if possible, as it's part of the horn circuit, it conducts current from the column tube
to the steering wheel hub. It's made of "bronze" instead of steel so that it can maintain a low resistance, and possibly to prevent
damage to the bearing from having the fairly high horn current running thru it. The spring might have
to be shortened a little, as it looks like the aftermarket bearing is a lot thicker than the original.
_________________
'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!
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
obx71super
Samba Member


Joined: December 16, 2012
Posts: 340
Location: Outer Banks NC
obx71super is offline 

PostPosted: Tue Apr 05, 2022 2:08 pm    Post subject: Re: Steering column play Reply with quote

Mine is already missing the spring unfortunately. Think the horn will still work without it?
_________________
71 super auto stick basically original minus a couple resprays
73 Westy automatic with a 2 liter gex, soon to be a 1.8 liter Headflow masters
Newest Addition!! Solid straight 74 thing totally disassembled!! YEEEWWWW
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
kreemoweet
Samba Member


Joined: March 13, 2008
Posts: 3889
Location: Seattle, WA
kreemoweet is offline 

PostPosted: Tue Apr 05, 2022 9:16 pm    Post subject: Re: Steering column play Reply with quote

obx71super wrote:
Mine is already missing the spring unfortunately. Think the horn will still work without it?


I'd wager it would. There's lots of posts here about unwanted horn sounding due to inadvertant grounding of various parts of
the horn circuit, so it doesn't seem to take much conductivity to get some horn action, for instance with some improperly made rubber steering
couplers. Might also depend on the kind of grease used.

Bugcity.com claims they have a used original German spring (VW #113-415-587A), which appears to be the original bronze.
_________________
'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!
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
Aduvall
Samba Member


Joined: September 01, 2021
Posts: 25
Location: DANA POINT
Aduvall is offline 

PostPosted: Fri Mar 15, 2024 6:07 pm    Post subject: Re: Steering column play Reply with quote

Did you install the needle bearing? Did it make a difference? I’ve replaced just about everything and still have too much steering place. It’s my last hope.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
Display posts from previous:   
Reply to topic    Forum Index -> Bay Window Bus All times are Mountain Standard Time/Pacific Daylight Savings Time
Page 1 of 1

 
Jump to:  
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum

About | Help! | Advertise | Donate | Premium Membership | Privacy/Terms of Use | Contact Us | Site Map
Copyright © 1996-2023, Everett Barnes. All Rights Reserved.
Not affiliated with or sponsored by Volkswagen of America | Forum powered by phpBB
Links to eBay or other vendor sites may be affiliate links where the site receives compensation.