Rebuilding OE Steering Boxes in 2025

[don.ville]

I drove my bus across the state for 2024 Bulli Brigade and now I am even more aware of how much play I have in my steering box and want to do something about it.


I know of the following steering box rebuilders in the US:

Wolfgang $462:
https://wolfgangint.com/steering/1347-steering-boxes-211415049bwg.html

Jeff Gagnon $1,200:
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=2191300

Airkewld $1,955:
https://www.airkewld.com/PRObuilt-Type-2-Steering-Box-Service-2485-p/2485.htm

Anyone have any positive experiences to share with rebuilding steering boxes recently?
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67 Standard 11 window How I Keep My Bus Alive
04 Jetta TDI Page (SOLD)
01 Mexican Beetle Hello Kitty Rescue (SOLD)
29 Ford Model A Rat Rod (SOLD)
2015 Audi A8L TDI Quattro

[Stocknazi]

Wow, That's quite a bit of difference in price; $500-$2000.

I assume you've inspected everything else and it's definitely the box that has play? Tie rods, drag link, center pin (first thing to check).

If so, have you tried adjusting the box? You'll need to do a bit of research because you can damage the worm/peg if too tight.
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WANTED:
58 Westfalia cabinet knobs (3 needed), roof rack, and (7) privy tent poles (silver painted).

"When the people are afraid of the government, that's tyranny. But when the government is afraid of the people, that's liberty."
"The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants."

Thomas Jefferson

[srfndoc]

There's also this, very pricey but seems like the only way to get a new worm gear:

https://www.seikel.de/shop/volkswagen-t1-reparatursatz-lenksaeule/?lang=eh

Thread here:

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=787990&highlight=new+steering+box+german
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RPM=(MPH*336* (R&P*4th*1.26))/Tire Diameter in inches

[David Raistrick]

as far as I know, none of the rebuilders in the first post do anything to repair the worm. they'll either clean yours up, or swap it for a hopefully less worn unit.

if you're on a budget, resealing and rebushing it can be done on the bus with minimal tools - a pair of bushings, a seal, and an apropos size reamer. (I can't recommend using an adjustable...). and the bushings can fix _a lot_ of the movement.


that said, fixing _the rest_ of your steering is a priority - have you had someone sit at the wheel, while you watch everything underneath move?

if you see the steering output shaft (where the arm attaches) move up/down when you move the wheel, that's the bushings/shaft.

while you have it apart you can inspect your worm and peg and decide if you need/want more, but the bushings will get you a long way. assuming good tie rod ends, drag link ends, center pin, and, of course, your king and link pins.....
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...david - '66 SO-44 #231

[Stocknazi]

Sounds like the only thing that is being replaced in the boxes when they are rebuilt is the bushings, seal, and possibly the ball bearings.

Should that really cost up to $2K?
_________________
WANTED:
58 Westfalia cabinet knobs (3 needed), roof rack, and (7) privy tent poles (silver painted).

"When the people are afraid of the government, that's tyranny. But when the government is afraid of the people, that's liberty."
"The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants."

Thomas Jefferson

[don.ville]

No one seems to be complaining, or no one is buying the service.
If people ARE getting them rebuilt and not complaining then it goes to show the worm gear is not the big issue, but the bushings and other parts.
_________________

67 Standard 11 window How I Keep My Bus Alive
04 Jetta TDI Page (SOLD)
01 Mexican Beetle Hello Kitty Rescue (SOLD)
29 Ford Model A Rat Rod (SOLD)
2015 Audi A8L TDI Quattro

[mdege]

I have one steering box which has pitting in the bearing race which is part of the worm-gear, there is no other way than to replace the whole thing to do it right.
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- Michael

1965 21F: Restoration of a former '65 firetruck
1963 Typ3 Notchback project
1988 Multivan Magnum 112i
1984 Standard: My son wanted a bug for his first car

[ronjonlasvegas]

I have used Wolfgang to rebuild three different steering boxes for me over the last ten years. They are professional, pretty fast and the boxes are so much better once they come back. Highly recommend.
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September 1964 Standard Sunroof walk through SWR/BG original paint.

[Stocknazi]

Pretty cool NOS part, and given the cost of a rebuild may be a better route to take if you need a box:
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=2721713

How did all these NOS parts end up in Egypt? Guy must have bought all the stock in the entire country.
_________________
WANTED:
58 Westfalia cabinet knobs (3 needed), roof rack, and (7) privy tent poles (silver painted).

"When the people are afraid of the government, that's tyranny. But when the government is afraid of the people, that's liberty."
"The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants."

Thomas Jefferson

[Shoyrtt]

I also had Wolfgang rebuild my steering box. I called before I shipped it and they were right on the mark as far as the turnaround time.

[Mr. OGPaint]

If your worm gear is worn the box is not rebuildable, but they typically do not wear unless improperly adjusted and driven for long periods. If your worm gear is worn your core will be rejected.

A good box rebuild includes new seals, ball bearings, roller bearings and output bushings in addition to cleaning and painting. All of these parts are available from Jeff Gagnon and I've done a few for myself with great results using Jeff's parts. To do the job you will need specialized tools like a shop press and an adjustable piloted reamer. I suggest sending it to a professional if you are not experienced. Make sure the job is being done completely and professionally as some hack shops are just replacing the seals and adjusting the set screw which will not improve the way your bus drives significantly enough to be worth the effort.

Good luck.
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https://instagram.com/mr.ogpaint
-
Patrick Hall

[von_hansel]

I responded to a similar thread last year and I still recommend the parties I named.

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=763503&highlight=ate

If you do decide to do it yourself, I can attest that reaming the bushings can be challenging as you do not want to have too much play.

I bought my bushings from Jeff Gagnon and then I found out afterwards that WW sells the bushings for less.
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[David Raistrick]

[chrisflstf]

Anybody know what is the standard id of the bushings? To know what size adjustable reamer to buy.

[von_hansel]

[David Raistrick]

[campingbox]

The part number for the bushing is 211405317B. I typically cut the OD and ID before installing, and then do the final ream in place.

The seal part number I've used in the past is 25X36X7TC.

These are not all that easy to rebuild with good results. I don't think most people can do this on their own, but if you have a local machinist who can help you it's not very challenging.

[David Raistrick]

these are what I ordered 12 years ago (back when you had to call to order!) - https://asbbearings.com/collections/25-mm-id-cast-bronze-metric-sleeves/products/zmb2528-25 - currently $11 each, they were $8 when I bought them...

25mm ID, 28mm OD, 25mm length. You need two.

And you can order other sizes, so you can target close to your measured shaft - 22mm, 24mm, 25mm - https://asbbearings.com/pages/cast-bronze-metric-sleeves

I realize I never got them installed since I found them on the shelf....I feel like I measured a set I pulled from the box I have torn down on the same shelf to order these.

The seal used (which I DID install, because that's why my box stopped dumping oil out) was https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B015CGT624 - but the listing has changed since. 23x36x7mm TC Double Lips Rubber
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...david - '66 SO-44 #231

[David Raistrick]

[David Raistrick]