Filling steering box

Maxoceanblue · Posted: Sat Nov 16, 2013 8:08 am Post subject: Filling steering box

Here is my steering box. It has been leaking and I wanted to check the oil level and top off if low. I figured that bottom middle screw was the one to open. The steering box pictured in the '64 owner's manual shows only one of these. I figured the small center hole was a hex bolt. Turns out that seems to be some sort of plastic plug and it fell apart when I tried to use a Allen wrench on.

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This plug has crumbled and has been partially pushed down into the hole. Question: is this the refil plug? How do I get it out without it falling apart and falling into the box? Once I do get it out what can I replace it with?
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1964 Beetle Sedan/1600cc DP 12v converted

Maxoceanblue · Posted: Sat Nov 16, 2013 8:30 am Post subject:

Ok, damn it. While trying to gently get that plug out it fell into the steering box. There looks to be no oil in there too. Is opening the steering box difficult? Which bolts do I remove now. I figure the center one is used to adjust the steering.
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1964 Beetle Sedan/1600cc DP 12v converted

offshores · Posted: Sat Nov 16, 2013 8:30 am Post subject:

If it's leaking you should pack it with grease. The type you have with the 2 filler ports is designed for just that purpose. If you can take the top off then you'll be able to get the plug out by pushing it back through the hole or just fish it out with a pick. Get a syringe or whatever and suck the remaining oil out, pack with grease and find a rubber plug or something to plug the hole.

offshores · Posted: Sat Nov 16, 2013 8:34 am Post subject:

Remove the nut from the adjusting screw and the 4 bolts at the corners and it will come off...

Maxoceanblue · Posted: Sat Nov 16, 2013 8:50 am Post subject:

Oh thank god. That sounds easy. I'll give it a shot.
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1964 Beetle Sedan/1600cc DP 12v converted

Maxoceanblue · Posted: Sat Nov 16, 2013 9:19 am Post subject:

Ok I got the four outside screws out and the middle nut around the set screw out. The top plate just swivels around the set screw/bolt. Does the set crew need to come out too? Or am I not lifting up hard enough. Also what type of grease should I use?
Thanks
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1964 Beetle Sedan/1600cc DP 12v converted

Maxoceanblue · Posted: Sat Nov 16, 2013 9:55 am Post subject:

Was able to get the plate off by turning the set screw this lifted the top plate off. Hope I didn't mess anything up by doing this.
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1964 Beetle Sedan/1600cc DP 12v converted

offshores · Posted: Sat Nov 16, 2013 10:13 am Post subject:

That seems about right. It's been a little while since I did mine. You might need to play with the adjustment screw a little bit once it's all back together. I remember reading threads on here and it was suggested to use a high pressure molly grease. Can't remember if that's exactly what I used, but I got it at Autozone. Think it was a tube of Valvoline with molly, but not sure it was high pressure??? Also remember reading about people in cold weather having concerns about grease and other people using something else, blah, blah, blah... I'm not in cold weather so I skipped all that, but if you are and it applies then dig a little further and you might find that you need something different. Good luck!!!

KTPhil · Posted: Sat Nov 16, 2013 11:35 am Post subject:

You are doing fine so far. Use moly grease, which is usually also EP (extreme pressure). Read up on how to adjust the box-- you don't want that screw to be too tight, or you will wear out your box fast.

Maxoceanblue · Posted: Sat Nov 16, 2013 5:35 pm Post subject:

Ok got the top cover plate off. But in order to get it off I had to spin the plate around that center adjustment screw so that the cover plate would rise up and off the center screw. I couldn't spin the cover plate around the screw I had to spin the screw. This would rise the cover plate up and off. I hope that was the correct way to get it off. Now to put it back together I did just the opposite. I held the cover plate above the set screw and while turning the screw counter clock wise the cover plate wound it's way down into place. Once it was down against the box I installed the four bolts around the edge. But by doing this I can't adjust the set screw. I would imaging the top cover/plate would have to be unthreaded for me to be able to be able to adjust it. What am I missing? Thanks.

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1964 Beetle Sedan/1600cc DP 12v converted

Maxoceanblue · Posted: Sat Nov 16, 2013 5:38 pm Post subject:

With the cover off does that set screw just spin around? What does it actually do?
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1964 Beetle Sedan/1600cc DP 12v converted

Maxoceanblue · Posted: Sat Nov 16, 2013 6:25 pm Post subject:

I mean once the cover is in place. Adjusting this screw just tightens the cover plate further.
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1964 Beetle Sedan/1600cc DP 12v converted

KTPhil · Posted: Sat Nov 16, 2013 6:48 pm Post subject:

Loosen the adjusting screw even further. You want a lot of play when you tighten the four cover screws. Only then should you try to tighten the adjuster.

Maxoceanblue · Posted: Sat Nov 16, 2013 7:11 pm Post subject:

If I loosen the adjustment screw that'll raise the cover plate up off the box. There'll be a gap between the cover and the box. The adjustment screw doesn't "loosen" it just spins around. The cover rides up or down depending on which was you turn the screw.
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1964 Beetle Sedan/1600cc DP 12v converted

Maxoceanblue · Posted: Sat Nov 16, 2013 8:29 pm Post subject:

I went back and checked my work after a break and was able to get it back together. This guy's video helped me understand what the set screw does.

http://youtu.be/LDLYLDBbWNw

I'll have to take it for a test drive tomorrow to see if I have it set right.

Fingers crossed
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1964 Beetle Sedan/1600cc DP 12v converted

Maxoceanblue · Posted: Sat Nov 16, 2013 8:52 pm Post subject:

So here is the cleaned up cover with the new plugs I found at Lowe's for $1.04 for 2. Can't beat that deal.

They are 5/16" black nylon hole plugs in the hardware section.

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1964 Beetle Sedan/1600cc DP 12v converted

mrmdls · Posted: Sat Apr 19, 2014 6:51 pm Post subject:

Feeling motivated today, I decided to take a look at my grease level in my steering box. Sure enough, both of my plastic plugs crumpled like dust. Many thanks Maxoceanblue, your post here saved the day. and I also bought my replacement plugs at Lowes.

Maxoceanblue · Posted: Sun Apr 20, 2014 7:21 pm Post subject:

Hey, no problem.
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1964 Beetle Sedan/1600cc DP 12v converted

Maxoceanblue · Posted: Sun Apr 20, 2014 7:26 pm Post subject:

Those things fit so perfect hu? After a couple of weeks of doing this job my four outside bolts had loosened up on me. The steering got real sloppy over a course if a day or two. I retighten them and haven't had any problems since so check the security of the four outside bolts and the adjustment screw say a week or so from now.
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1964 Beetle Sedan/1600cc DP 12v converted

mrmdls · Posted: Sun Apr 20, 2014 7:46 pm Post subject:

The plugs fit perfect! I actually grabbed a couple extra bags of them for the toolbox. I'll be checking the outside bolts the next couple weeks, and also look for any sloppy steering in the future.


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