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vee-dub8589 Samba Member
Joined: November 28, 2011 Posts: 40 Location: phoenix,az
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Posted: Wed Nov 11, 2015 4:56 pm Post subject: Steering coupler install |
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I need to install a new steering coupler on my 66 bug I have nevered installed one before can anyone explain to me the process of installing one any pointers would help thanks |
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67rustavenger Samba Member
Joined: February 24, 2015 Posts: 9767 Location: Oregon
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Posted: Wed Nov 11, 2015 5:50 pm Post subject: Re: Steering coupler install |
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Pretty straight forward. Empty the fuel tank or clamp off the fuel line above the tunnel. Remove the tank. Take a picture for reference before proceeding.
Remove the bolts from the coupling and remove the offending piece. Place the new coupling between the steering box and the column and reinstall all the bolts making sure that the steering box and column flanges are 90Degrees away from each other not in line with each other. If they are in line they will bind. Torque the blots to the correct foot pounds using a torque wrench. Check that all is free and the horn works before installing the fuel tank. Reattach the fuel line to the tunnel.
Job done!
Don't use one of those urethane red cheap ones. Get a good ole rubber one that has the fibers embedded. If the urethane one were to break you lose all steering. If the rubber one fails you get home without the bent car.
Good luck. _________________ I have learned over the years.
Cheap parts are gonna disappoint you.
Buy Once, Cry Once!
There's never enough time to do it right the first time. But there's always enough time to do it thrice.
GFY's Xevin and VW_Jimbo!
Last edited by 67rustavenger on Wed Nov 11, 2015 5:55 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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56Cabrio Samba Member
Joined: May 22, 2008 Posts: 1899 Location: San Fernando Valley, CA
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Posted: Wed Nov 11, 2015 5:53 pm Post subject: Re: Steering coupler install |
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67rustavenger wrote: |
Pretty straight forward. Empty the fuel tank or clamp off the fuel line above the tunnel. Remove the tank. Take a picture for reference before proceeding.
Remove the bolts from the coupling and remove the offending piece. Place the new coupling between the steering box and the column and reinstall all the bolts torque to the correct foot pounds using a torque wrench. Check that all is free and the horn works before installing the fuel tank. Reattach the fuel line to the tunnel.
Job done!
Don't use one of those urethane red cheap ones. Get a good ole rubber one that has the fibers embedded. If the urethane one were to break you lose all steering. If the rubber one fails you get home without the bent car.
Good luck. |
Who sell the fibers embedded ones ?
This is the one i just got from WW , not as good as the fiber embedded ?
http://www.wolfsburgwest.com/cart/DetailsList.cfm?ID=111415417 _________________ F#CK CANCER
Make a donation
1956 Rag Top owned since 1988
1956 Convertible owned since 2000
1963 Hard Top
RIP Dad 4/20/1951 - 2/4/2023 |
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67rustavenger Samba Member
Joined: February 24, 2015 Posts: 9767 Location: Oregon
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Posted: Wed Nov 11, 2015 6:01 pm Post subject: Re: Steering coupler install |
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56,
I'm not sure if anyone sells them. I did a little search before responding and it was highly recommended that you locate the fiber embedded one. Even a good condition used one is better that the plastic red one. What you have selected is good for a while. I have never had to replace one in all of the 8 beetles that I have had. But the r&r procedure is the same for all of those years.
Good luck guys.
EDIT
After post this response. I checked my latest acquisition. It has the WW coupler like you ordered. This car drives fantastically. I then checked the P.O.S. rust bucket in my driveway. It has the fiber embedded one installed. _________________ I have learned over the years.
Cheap parts are gonna disappoint you.
Buy Once, Cry Once!
There's never enough time to do it right the first time. But there's always enough time to do it thrice.
GFY's Xevin and VW_Jimbo! |
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vee-dub8589 Samba Member
Joined: November 28, 2011 Posts: 40 Location: phoenix,az
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Posted: Wed Nov 11, 2015 6:39 pm Post subject: Re: Steering coupler install |
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Thanks I would have never pulled the tank seems much easier that way |
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runamoc Samba Member
Joined: June 19, 2006 Posts: 5601 Location: 37.5N 77.1W
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Posted: Thu Nov 12, 2015 7:31 pm Post subject: Re: Steering coupler install |
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Quote: |
urethane one were to break you lose all steering |
I've have used them but went with the 'cloth' type coupling (rag joint) due to concerns. This place sells them it looks like. I got mine from House of Ghia but there seems to be a problem with their website. I've own stuff (Ford Trucks) that had the 'rag joint' go out. The bolts on the steering wheel side and the steering box side where extra long so that they 'connected' with each other. Sloppy steering yet steering none the less. I now install, as a modification, a fiber 'rag joint' with 2" bolts pointing towards each other at the 'rag joint'. So, if/when it fails, I will have enough steering to pull over. Wish I had a photo of an installation. I'll try and take a photo and post it. Oh yeah, this place has some..
https://www.mofoco.com/search.php |
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DerrickfromNC1 Samba Member
Joined: October 24, 2008 Posts: 1302 Location: North Carolina
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Posted: Wed Oct 05, 2022 4:13 pm Post subject: Re: Steering coupler install |
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Installed a urethane coupler on my 67(that long on jackstands) about 20yrs ago. Getting close to getting it back on the road and several folks have suggested that I replace it with a rubber coupler. I picked one up at Oriellys for a 67 and the bolt pattern is a tad smaller. It will go on if I force it with some effort while the urethane coupler was a perfect fit. I’m concerned that the rubber coupler would fail prematurely due to the added stress of being stretched to fit.
Is this normal?
Thanks |
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runamoc Samba Member
Joined: June 19, 2006 Posts: 5601 Location: 37.5N 77.1W
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Posted: Wed Oct 05, 2022 5:27 pm Post subject: Re: Steering coupler install |
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you won't be sorry using the rubber plied one. Another 'safety' feature I added in case the joint breaks. Longer mounting bolts mounted towards each other. US cars do it. If you have short bolts and the joint breaks the steering wheel will just spin freely. This causes the upholstery to pucker. If longer bolts are used the extended ends 'interfere' with each other and you will have some steering control until you can stop.
Never had a bug coupling break on me at speed but a F150 truck did and I was impressed that I had some control to keep from going in the ditch or oncoming traffic til I stopped. _________________ Daily driver: '69 Baja owned 44 yrs - Plan B: '81 Rabbit Diesel LS Deluxe - Plan C: '72 Ghia
Yard Art: 2 Sandrails
Outback: '69 Ghia - '68,'69,'70,'72 Beetle - '84 Scirocco, GTI - Pair of '02 Golfs-
VW Wiring = It's just wires |
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DerrickfromNC1 Samba Member
Joined: October 24, 2008 Posts: 1302 Location: North Carolina
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Posted: Wed Oct 05, 2022 6:15 pm Post subject: Re: Steering coupler install |
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Did I purchase a coupler that is too small…..perhaps wrong year?
Is it normal to have to stretch it to make it fit?
Thanks |
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runamoc Samba Member
Joined: June 19, 2006 Posts: 5601 Location: 37.5N 77.1W
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Posted: Wed Oct 05, 2022 6:48 pm Post subject: Re: Steering coupler install |
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Quote: |
normal to have to stretch it |
can't tell from the photos. Put bolts thru both of them side-by-side and then take a photo _________________ Daily driver: '69 Baja owned 44 yrs - Plan B: '81 Rabbit Diesel LS Deluxe - Plan C: '72 Ghia
Yard Art: 2 Sandrails
Outback: '69 Ghia - '68,'69,'70,'72 Beetle - '84 Scirocco, GTI - Pair of '02 Golfs-
VW Wiring = It's just wires |
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DerrickfromNC1 Samba Member
Joined: October 24, 2008 Posts: 1302 Location: North Carolina
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Posted: Wed Oct 05, 2022 7:07 pm Post subject: Re: Steering coupler install |
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DerrickfromNC1 wrote: |
Did I purchase a coupler that is too small…..perhaps wrong year?
Is it normal to have to stretch it to make it fit?
Thanks |
Red urethane Coupler perfect fit.
Black rubber coupler appears to be too small
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mukluk Samba Member
Joined: October 18, 2012 Posts: 7028 Location: Clyde, TX
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Posted: Wed Oct 05, 2022 7:13 pm Post subject: Re: Steering coupler install |
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Dorman's website doesn't list any steering coupler that fits your VW which is why the part you bought doesn't fit. You need to buy the correct part. _________________ 1960 Ragtop w/Semaphores "Inga" |
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DerrickfromNC1 Samba Member
Joined: October 24, 2008 Posts: 1302 Location: North Carolina
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Posted: Wed Oct 05, 2022 7:40 pm Post subject: Re: Steering coupler install |
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mukluk wrote: |
Dorman's website doesn't list any steering coupler that fits your VW which is why the part you bought doesn't fit. You need to buy the correct part. |
This is what came up on Oriellys website for a 67 beetle:
https://www.oreillyauto.com/detail/c/dorman-help/d...&pos=0
Either way I will be taking it back in the morning & ordering one elsewhere. It sucks that here in the Carolinas you can no longer purchase most stuff for our aircooled VWs over the counter. |
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richparker Samba Member
Joined: November 24, 2011 Posts: 6982 Location: Durango, CO
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mukluk Samba Member
Joined: October 18, 2012 Posts: 7028 Location: Clyde, TX
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Posted: Wed Oct 05, 2022 8:29 pm Post subject: Re: Steering coupler install |
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They also list a number of coolant recovery tanks and radiator petcocks that'll fit a '67 Beetle. _________________ 1960 Ragtop w/Semaphores "Inga" |
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DeathRay64 Samba Member
Joined: February 03, 2019 Posts: 217 Location: Arizona
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Posted: Wed Oct 05, 2022 8:55 pm Post subject: Re: Steering coupler install |
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The steering coupler that I got from WCM was listed as "German".... they used the quotes in the description.
The part is a good quality coupling with fibers embedded in the rubber and it is not too soft. It appears to be made with original molds.
My only complaint is that the left side logo (VW/Audi?) is ground off. But I can see some slightly exposed fibers underneath.
This part also has the proper bushings, which yours does not. _________________ Making VW's and America great again. |
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67rustavenger Samba Member
Joined: February 24, 2015 Posts: 9767 Location: Oregon
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Posted: Thu Oct 06, 2022 4:37 am Post subject: Re: Steering coupler install |
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DeathRay64 wrote: |
The steering coupler that I got from WCM was listed as "German".... they used the quotes in the description.
The part is a good quality coupling with fibers embedded in the rubber and it is not too soft. It appears to be made with original molds.
My only complaint is that the left side logo (VW/Audi?) is ground off. But I can see some slightly exposed fibers underneath.
This part also has the proper bushings, which yours does not. |
Broke one of those Audi/VW steering couplers 4-5 years ago. Yes, it had the fibers in it.
While making a U-turn on a residential street (Thank goodness) it broke.
I replaced the coupler with the Dorman coupler and I am still running it today.
That said, if I knew about the Lars coupler. I would have used that one instead. _________________ I have learned over the years.
Cheap parts are gonna disappoint you.
Buy Once, Cry Once!
There's never enough time to do it right the first time. But there's always enough time to do it thrice.
GFY's Xevin and VW_Jimbo! |
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RWK Samba Member
Joined: June 24, 2009 Posts: 1349 Location: S.W. MI
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Posted: Thu Oct 06, 2022 5:26 am Post subject: Re: Steering coupler install |
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Had a urethane one break on my Thing, I had partial steering due to bolt interference, had about 1/2 turn play, wasn't fun but got home safely.
Bolts and nuts are special, 14mm hex on the 8mm bolts and self locking nuts, bolts remaining connected saved me. The nuts and bolt heads being larger makes them a little harder to remove due to lack of socket clearance around flange. _________________ 73 Type 181
63 Type 113
63 Type 261- 428 071
62 Type 241-378 025 178 530 |
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DerrickfromNC1 Samba Member
Joined: October 24, 2008 Posts: 1302 Location: North Carolina
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Posted: Thu Oct 06, 2022 6:07 am Post subject: Re: Steering coupler install |
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67rustavenger wrote: |
I replaced the coupler with the Dorman coupler and I am still running it today.
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Did your Dorman coupler look like the above(slightly undersized)
Thanks |
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AirHead1966 Samba Member
Joined: October 17, 2019 Posts: 568 Location: Triad Area NC
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Posted: Fri Oct 07, 2022 1:56 pm Post subject: Re: Steering coupler install |
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Glad you all brought this dead thread back to life. Prompted me go and check my steering coupler. Glad I did, seems like I was living on borrowed time.
All nice and replaced now.
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