steering column removal

[fcgadget]

read the books, read the posts, but....

with the lower clamp removed, and turning the steering wheel to loosen the shaft (I can feel the breakaway), it still doesn't want to come out.

I can't find an 'exploded' diagram to see bushings/shims/etc that may still be holding things. Is there one out there somewhere?

Am I missing something?

[ZENVWDRIVER]

... hard to say, if you are missing something or not... removal of the steering "column" should be a pretty simple operation... is not really a column. per say... is more like a shaft inside a steering tube.
What I do is with the gas tank removed, is remove the bolt and nut that pinches the steering rod to the part that is attached with 2 bolts to the steering box. That should release the steering shaft and allow one to pull the unit out, by the steering wheel.
You CANNOT just remove the 2 bolts from the rubber ring on the steering box and pull out as that connecting piece does not fit through the steering tube.
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[fcgadget]

I removed clamp and bolt at the bottom of the shaft, liberally squirted KT oil in there and pulled on the wheel with no resulting movement.

The clamp and spline were pretty rusty. I also turned the steering wheel to both sides past the normal stopping point to break the bottom of the shaft free. But no joy....

I was worried that there was something at the upper end that would prevent it from just sliding out

[txoval]

Where the clamp and bolt are(attached to steering box) there is a slot in the shaft/rod. Do you use a chisel or screw driver to enlarge the shaft so that the end piece(which connects to the steering box) can come off?

You can’t simply remove the bolt and expect them to come apart. VW put that slot there assist in removal and compressing the shaft around the end piece.

I hope that makes sense

[fcgadget]

Well, The shaft is loose from the clamp. It rotates independently from the clamp (bolt removed) and the coupling disc.

But it refuses to come out of the tube. I'm almost afraid the steering wheel will break because I'm pulling so hard....

[56Cabrio]

This might help.
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=398710&highlight=steering+column+remove
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[fcgadget]

My problem is that the shaft IS loose. but the shaft will not come out.

The rag joint at the bottom is free.
Pulling on the wheel produces NO movement upwards.

It seems like something is holding the shaft still

[THX 1138]

Did you remove the two bolts on the clamp holding the tube under the dash right below the speedo?

[fcgadget]

No. From what I have read I don't need to remove the tube to pull the shaft out. I'd rather not take too many things apart. My goal in this is to fix the horn system at the brush.

[OvalinAz]

[Snort]

I think your problem is that it is still stuck onto the coupling bracket shaft. While you were able to break it loose, that turning with the steering wheel is a lot of leverage compared to pulling the wheel toward you. Remove the two bolts at the coupling bracket and see if the column will move outwards until the bracket hits the tube.

[fcgadget]

thanks OvalinAz...

My dilemma is that somehow something moved and now I can't get it back to what it was. Gave up on the shaft removal, maybe try another time. Now I can't get the clamp lined up (see next post)

[fcgadget]

Ovalin Az

what year is your bug? Mine doesn't have the horn wire coming out the column at the bottom...it has the side tit in the passenger area.

[motofly196]

Sometimes it's good to move to something else for a little bit. Spray down the spline area through the split area with your favorite spray, and keep hitting it a few times a day. When you come back to it, you might have better luck.

[nlorntson]

[0nebadbug]

By looking at your picture... Remove the 2 coupler bolts so that you are disconnected from the flex coupler. Then, after, you'll be able slide the connected pieces to allow enough room to nicely persuade the knurled stub back from the shaft with a good solid rubber mallet (if needed slightly open the slit a bit with good stout flat screwdriver and twist slightly at the very end of the shaft and open it 1 or 2 mm's but just don't get crazy with opening it and also do the same with the outer clamp and slide it up above the shaft slit as well so it is out of the way), once the stub end is off the entire shaft will slide right out of the tube easy peasy...

The problem you're having is that the knurled stub (and/or notch) is stuck in the shaft and needs to be removed (very common). The steering connection was is a critical connection and was not made to simply slide it off... and seeing as your going to have to remove it anyway, spend $15 and order & install in a new coupler anyway...

As far as realigning goes? Use a metal scribe or a paint marker prior to removal of anything (but you're already kinda beyond that so it will be trial & error... It's not very difficult at all).
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