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obx71super Samba Member
Joined: December 16, 2012 Posts: 340 Location: Outer Banks NC
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Posted: Sun Apr 03, 2022 3:45 pm Post subject: Steering column play |
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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 |
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cellobus1 Samba Member
Joined: June 10, 2014 Posts: 282 Location: East Tennessee
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Posted: Sun Apr 03, 2022 6:27 pm Post subject: Re: Steering column play |
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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 |
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metahacker Samba Member
Joined: May 26, 2010 Posts: 690 Location: san.diego
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obx71super Samba Member
Joined: December 16, 2012 Posts: 340 Location: Outer Banks NC
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Posted: Mon Apr 04, 2022 4:26 am Post subject: Re: Steering column play |
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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 |
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metahacker Samba Member
Joined: May 26, 2010 Posts: 690 Location: san.diego
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Posted: Mon Apr 04, 2022 10:29 am Post subject: Re: Steering column play |
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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 |
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obx71super Samba Member
Joined: December 16, 2012 Posts: 340 Location: Outer Banks NC
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Posted: Tue Apr 05, 2022 4:49 am Post subject: Re: Steering column play |
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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 |
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kreemoweet Samba Member
Joined: March 13, 2008 Posts: 3889 Location: Seattle, WA
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Posted: Tue Apr 05, 2022 10:04 am Post subject: Re: Steering column play |
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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! |
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obx71super Samba Member
Joined: December 16, 2012 Posts: 340 Location: Outer Banks NC
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Posted: Tue Apr 05, 2022 2:08 pm Post subject: Re: Steering column play |
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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 |
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kreemoweet Samba Member
Joined: March 13, 2008 Posts: 3889 Location: Seattle, WA
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Posted: Tue Apr 05, 2022 9:16 pm Post subject: Re: Steering column play |
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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! |
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Aduvall Samba Member
Joined: September 01, 2021 Posts: 25 Location: DANA POINT
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Posted: Fri Mar 15, 2024 6:07 pm Post subject: Re: Steering column play |
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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. |
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