Steering Coupling Flange Splines

[surfbus23]

Wondering how much "teeth" the steering coupler flange is supposed to have? The splines on the part that goes to gearbox look good, but doesn't appear to have any on the flange. Thinking it's supposed to be like this so you can adjust it, but don't know. Here's the best picture I could take.

[busdaddy]

Something's wrong with that, it should have the same spines as all the rest of the parts, that one is trash.
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[surfbus23]

Dang. No surprise I guess. Interesting that this got so trashed and the splines on the gearbox are still in great shape.

[BayCreamPuff]

Here's what a new one looks like.

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'79 CA Stock FI Deluxe Campmobile

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'87 GoWesty 2.2 Westfalia

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[surfbus23]

Hmm... doesn't look so different then. Anyone else looked at theirs recently and can add input if this part should have splines or not?

[kreemoweet]

Since the coupling flange is held on via the clamp pinch bolt, I don't think splines would be appropriate there. Mine doesn't have splines,
and I'm glad of it.
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[Tom Powell]

Here's a photo of the steering box for a '69 camper and the input shaft has splines. Therefore I would ASSuME the coupling has splines. What year bus does the OP have? There is a groove for the pinch bolt. Caveat: The steering box part number has two different suffixes and the location of the groove differs by 90º. If you put in a steering box with the wrong suffix the steering wheel spokes will be vertical instead of horizontal. BTDT.

Aloha
tp

[surfbus23]

It's a 79, so the gearbox did change. I think it must be OK because how would only the splines on the flange be worn off and the others look great. I'd just never seen one before and wanted to take the Samba pulse.

[Tom Powell]

Here's the part from VW Heritage in the UK. You can scroll over and magnify. There are no splines on this new part. WTF Keep that pinch bolt tight.

https://www.vwheritage.com/211415409-steering-column-lower-flange-vw-spare

Aloha
tp

[busdaddy]

WTF indeed, now I'll have to go look at a few to confirm
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[lil-jinx]

T would think that the shaft is much harder than the flange,making it possible to just wear down the flange,much like a drake drum on an axle.
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1974 Bay Westfalia. she likes to be called Ethel.
1968 Dune Buggy
1974 parts bus
A smart man learns from his mistakes,a very smart man learns from other's mistakes.

[Wildthings]

What is important here is that you have the correct grade bolt in good condition tightened to the correct torque. This is not a place to try and get by with the incorrect grade bolt or one that has been damaged in any way.

[raygreenwood]

Does the steering box output shaft not have a notch or recess where the pinch bolt crosses from one side to the other?

I realize I work on other cars.....but my 411 and 412 steering boxes have the same thin splines on the output shaft and NO splines inside the yoke.....and they are not needed. Once the pinch bolt is installed and crosses the recess in the output shaft.....its locked.

Like this?

Ray

[SGKent]

the flange has no splines. It is held with clamping force. Early bays had a cotter pin thru the bolt to avoid it coming loose. Late bays have special lock nut. The bolt goes thru the flat in the worm gear shaft to keep it from ever tuning 360 if the clamp broke or the bolt came loose. Same set up as the swing arm but the swing arm has no splines like the worm gear.
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[surfbus23]

[quote="raygreenwood"]Does the steering box output shaft not have a notch or recess where the pinch bolt crosses from one side to the other?

[SGKent]

[quote="surfbus23"]

[surfbus23]

[quote="SGKent"]

[lil-jinx]

It can let loose,That's when Jesus comes in to it.Only your God can save you now.
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https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=620186
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=668799
1974 Bay Westfalia. she likes to be called Ethel.
1968 Dune Buggy
1974 parts bus
A smart man learns from his mistakes,a very smart man learns from other's mistakes.

[raygreenwood]

Jesus nut/bolt

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jesus_nut

Pretty much most pinch bolts that cross through a recess like in my pictures.....used for ball joint rotating pins on many strut vehicles and shock/strut attachment on many water cooled vehicles.....for the same reason they are used on this part.

If that bolt breaks or falls out......Jesus is coming for you....or you better be "right" with your Jesus.....because your steering control has just evaporated!
Ray

[Tom Powell]