Shear bolts on steering column support bracket

[Vana Guy]

Was wondering what the story is on the shear bolts on the steering column bracket supporting steering column to dash board.
I need to adjust the clearance between the steering upper column and lower column and moving the steering column is the only way I can find to get the clearance I need.
Bentley calls for .138" clearance, and I have about 5/8". The Bentley method or adjustment is not clear at all, "rework the holes"??? What holes?

[PDXWesty]

Can you post photos? What's the reason the clearance needs to be adjusted or why is it so out of whack?
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89 Westy 2.1 Auto

[Howesight]

The holes are slotted.
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'86 Syncro Westy SVX

[Wildthings]

The shear bolts were an anti theft device. Remove them using a chisel or vise grips to turn them and replace them with standard 8M hardware.

[Captain Pike]

[Vana Guy]

Glad to hear they are for theft.

[16CVs]

Next thing you know we'll be talking about unknown switches and the silver socket on the dash.

Stacy
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1987 Syncro Westfalia Triple knob (bastard)
1989 Syncro Tristar Triple knob "Swedish"
2013 Jetta Hybrid a true "Zwitter"
Samba member # 14980
Call anytime number 650 722 4914 .
Keep Your van running and upkept tastefully for the love of the hobby.
Don't let your van end up in an "abortions" thread.

[Vana Guy]

16CVs
"Next thing you know we'll be talking about unknown switches and the silver socket on the dash."

Stacy
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Thanks for that. I feel very welcome here now.

[hardway]

I have always replaced them with short Allen screws. To my knowledge every vehicle manufacturer uses shear bolts to install the ignition/steering lock assembly. A new lock always comes with them. They are only an anti-tamper item. Just like the screws they use to install hardware in public restrooms.

My wife is a union carpenter. She has worked on several bridge projects. She tells me that shear bolts (big ones) are installed in the bridges. They could be anti-tamper devices there also. Or they could be so that the fasteners are installed to the correct torque value. The shearing of the fastener is probably a more accurate way to ensure the correct torque than the vagaries of torque wrenches, torque multipliers and human beings in the field.

[Jake de Villiers]

[16CVs]

Doesn’t the mass jacket have an Allen bolt that slows it slide on the steering tube as well?

I’ve always just used my Dremel tool to cut a groove in the pyramid shaped top and then use a flat screwdriver and then replace them with standard bolts and heavy duty washers.
_________________
1987 Syncro Westfalia Triple knob (bastard)
1989 Syncro Tristar Triple knob "Swedish"
2013 Jetta Hybrid a true "Zwitter"
Samba member # 14980
Call anytime number 650 722 4914 .
Keep Your van running and upkept tastefully for the love of the hobby.
Don't let your van end up in an "abortions" thread.