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scarroll
Samba Member
Joined: August 24, 2003
Posts: 157
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 Posted: Thu Apr 29, 2004 10:54 pm Post subject: Steering from Hell |
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| My '73's steering isn't very tight. There's about 6 inches of free play in the steering wheel. Is this slop likely in the steering box, or is it more apt to be the other suspension components (ball joints, etc.)? I see that The Thing Shop has steering boxes for sale, and I'm tempted to try one to see if it helps. Ideas, please? |
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TimGud
Samba Member
Joined: March 03, 2002
Posts: 6459
Location: Rio Rico Arizona
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| Posted: Fri Apr 30, 2004 6:01 am Post subject: |
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On the side of your steering gearbox is an adjuster screw with a locknut surrounding it. Loosen the nut and turn the screw (looks like a grub screw) clockwise while gently rocking the steering wheel back and forth till the steering wheel only moves a little (1/8-1/4 inch ) as you want a tiny bit of play in the gearbox. Be extremely careful on the first test drive or two as when this much play must be taken out of a gearbox I have seen them lock up while turning. If this happens you should replace it. The other option is to loosen up the steering to about 1/2 inch play and most of the time it won't do that again ,but again it should be replaced.
I would also have someone else gently rock the steering wheel (with the Thing on the ground) back and forth while looking for any play in the tie rod ends. If there is any replace them. I would also look closely where the steering column is attatched to the gearbox to make sure it's tight. There is nothing worse than having a steering component come loose while running down the road. I had this happen to me in my youth in a Chevy pick-up and it was one scary ride! |
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scarroll
Samba Member
Joined: August 24, 2003
Posts: 157
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| Posted: Sun Jun 06, 2004 9:28 am Post subject: |
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| Well, it's been a couple of months, but I finally got around to looking at that steering (gas heater came first). TimGud, you were right! Almost all of the play was in the steering box, and after a few minutes of adjustment it handles very well. It still feels just a bit "soft" in the center of travel, which I presume is a combination of tie-rod ends, ball joints, and other suspension wear. Nothing I can't live with...it is now very pleasant to drive. Thanks for the tip! |
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TimGud
Samba Member
Joined: March 03, 2002
Posts: 6459
Location: Rio Rico Arizona
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| Posted: Thu Jun 10, 2004 7:55 pm Post subject: |
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| Your welcome. Glad to here it worked out well for you. Enjoy! |
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Towel Rail
Horizontally Opposed
Joined: April 15, 2005
Posts: 4622
Location: SE CR IA US NA PE
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| Posted: Tue Apr 19, 2005 6:34 pm Post subject: |
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*bump*
I'm running into the same problem with my Thing -- there are a good couple inches of freeplay in the steering, and while I can still handle it, I should fix it. Problem is, the bolt for that locknut is rusted tight, and no amount of Liquid Wrench has helped (yet). Did they thread these bolts backward or something? 
_________________
1974 Thing -- under the knife
1967 Beetle -- spring/summer/fall driver
1996 Subaru OBW (EJ22, 5-speed, AWD) -- winter car, 3-seasons "don't feel like biking today" car
049 > 070 > 053 > 009 |
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Maxf
Samba Member
Joined: April 13, 2005
Posts: 1
Location: Reno
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| Posted: Wed Apr 20, 2005 6:09 pm Post subject: |
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I just re-adjusted mine thanks to this thread. Thanks!
The Jam nutted Grub screw was accessible through the little steering access panel in the trunk.
The Jam nut was very tight, but with some penetrating oil and some (not so getle) tapping it came free. Just regular threads - Righty tighty-lefty loosy. Good luck |
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Towel Rail
Horizontally Opposed
Joined: April 15, 2005
Posts: 4622
Location: SE CR IA US NA PE
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| Posted: Wed Apr 20, 2005 9:00 pm Post subject: |
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| Maxf wrote: |
| Just regular threads - Righty tighty-lefty loosy. Good luck |
Thanks, Max. I'm soaking mine still. Due to the gas heater, I can't access the box from the trunk, so I'll have to do it from under the car.
What did you use to turn the grub screw? None of our screwdrivers are big enough, but the straight end of a crowbar was too big.
- Scott
_________________
1974 Thing -- under the knife
1967 Beetle -- spring/summer/fall driver
1996 Subaru OBW (EJ22, 5-speed, AWD) -- winter car, 3-seasons "don't feel like biking today" car
049 > 070 > 053 > 009 |
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TimGud
Samba Member
Joined: March 03, 2002
Posts: 6459
Location: Rio Rico Arizona
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| Posted: Thu Apr 21, 2005 1:20 pm Post subject: |
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| I just use a large screwdriver. Once the locknut is loose the grub screw turns easily and you don't turn it much anyways to take out the play. |
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Towel Rail
Horizontally Opposed
Joined: April 15, 2005
Posts: 4622
Location: SE CR IA US NA PE
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| Posted: Thu Apr 21, 2005 3:19 pm Post subject: |
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Okay, thanks! I think I'll go spray on some more Liquid Wrench right now...
- Scott
_________________
1974 Thing -- under the knife
1967 Beetle -- spring/summer/fall driver
1996 Subaru OBW (EJ22, 5-speed, AWD) -- winter car, 3-seasons "don't feel like biking today" car
049 > 070 > 053 > 009 |
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TimGud
Samba Member
Joined: March 03, 2002
Posts: 6459
Location: Rio Rico Arizona
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| Posted: Thu Apr 21, 2005 6:52 pm Post subject: |
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| You know PB Blaster works alot better than liquid wench when it comes to removing rusty parts. Might save you a few days of soaking by getting a can. |
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Towel Rail
Horizontally Opposed
Joined: April 15, 2005
Posts: 4622
Location: SE CR IA US NA PE
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| Posted: Thu Apr 21, 2005 10:10 pm Post subject: |
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| TimGud wrote: |
| You know PB Blaster works alot better than liquid wench when it comes to removing rusty parts. Might save you a few days of soaking by getting a can. |
"PB Blaster"? I've never heard of it, but I'll look for it.
- Scott
_________________
1974 Thing -- under the knife
1967 Beetle -- spring/summer/fall driver
1996 Subaru OBW (EJ22, 5-speed, AWD) -- winter car, 3-seasons "don't feel like biking today" car
049 > 070 > 053 > 009 |
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ztnoo
Samba Member
Joined: March 23, 2005
Posts: 801
Location: Indiana
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Towel Rail
Horizontally Opposed
Joined: April 15, 2005
Posts: 4622
Location: SE CR IA US NA PE
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| Posted: Fri Apr 22, 2005 7:25 am Post subject: Re: Steering from Hell |
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If nothing else, that's an awesome-looking can.
- Scott
_________________
1974 Thing -- under the knife
1967 Beetle -- spring/summer/fall driver
1996 Subaru OBW (EJ22, 5-speed, AWD) -- winter car, 3-seasons "don't feel like biking today" car
049 > 070 > 053 > 009 |
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TimGud
Samba Member
Joined: March 03, 2002
Posts: 6459
Location: Rio Rico Arizona
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| Posted: Fri Apr 22, 2005 11:54 am Post subject: |
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| The can is the reason I thought it was snake oil for so many years. Then I tried it and never bought any of the other stuff again. HUMM I should figure out a way to get paid advertising for their product. LOL |
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Towel Rail
Horizontally Opposed
Joined: April 15, 2005
Posts: 4622
Location: SE CR IA US NA PE
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| Posted: Fri Apr 22, 2005 12:06 pm Post subject: |
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| TimGud wrote: |
| The can is the reason I thought it was snake oil for so many years. Then I tried it and never bought any of the other stuff again. HUMM I should figure out a way to get paid advertising for their product. LOL |
There ya go. You could be the online two-product volume leader in PB Blaster and WaxOyl sales! 
- Scott
_________________
1974 Thing -- under the knife
1967 Beetle -- spring/summer/fall driver
1996 Subaru OBW (EJ22, 5-speed, AWD) -- winter car, 3-seasons "don't feel like biking today" car
049 > 070 > 053 > 009 |
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