new trw steering box troubles

[zabo]

I installed a new trw box in my 60 a few weeks ago along with the required new pitman arm.

It drives fine bUt the steering wheel keeps changing positions. I had it centered correctly. Then after driving about 20 miles I parked. When i started driving again the wheel is at 5oclock position when going straight.

Yesterday a went back through everything, made sure all the bolts were tight, steering column aligned etc.. Thought all was good but then it did it again this morning.

If i turn the steering all the way to full stop it will move the wheel position.

maybe the shaft is slipping at the connection below the coupler?

Straight/Straight:

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1960 6 volt sedan- 1978 adventurewagen
–wanted bill spreen atlanta dealer tag frame

[Erik G]

they are junk

grab a beverage : https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=660446
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Stop dead photo links! Post your photos to The Samba Gallery!

[zabo]

Thanks- I've read that and a lot other threads about these boxes but i didnt see anything that addressed the problem i am having.
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1960 6 volt sedan- 1978 adventurewagen
–wanted bill spreen atlanta dealer tag frame

[Zundfolge1432]

Oh boy here we go again

[bluebus86]

[KTPhil]

I would mark or scribe matching marks on everything that can loosen or change in the steering train (coupler, pitman arm, beam) and the clamps that hold them together. Then move the wheel until you feel it shift, and re-check your marks. There isn't much inside the box that would cause your symptoms, so I'd check the externals as above first.

[viiking]

Agree with the above.

Is the Pitman arm correct for the box (not necessarily for your year model) and not chewed out already at the connection?

[zabo]

[KTPhil]

I've also seen use of blue painters tape, placed tightly at joints, a fine line made, and then it is slit at the joint where movement could occur, so any movement can be witnessed. It also allows for multiple checks-- after a couple of iterations, keeping scribe marks clear gets harder. This is removable for another try.

[Sharp64]

Does the steering wheel position to 70clock if the wheel is turned to lock in the opposite direction?
_________________
1960 Indigo Blue Ragtop (Blue Barry)
1967 Ghia
1985 Westy Money Pit
“...some men aren't looking for anything logical, like money. They can't be bought, bullied, reasoned, or negotiated with. Some men just want to watch the world burn.” - Michael Caine

[andk5591]

check your tie rod ends, ball joints and wheel bearings...... I have installed at least 6 or more TRW boxes with no issues.....One in my 65 bug that I have put 30K miles on.
_________________
D-Dubya Manx clone - 63 Short pan,1914.
Rosie 65 bug - My mostly stock daily driver.
Woodie 69 VW woodie (Hot VWs 7/12).
"John's car" 64 VW woodie - The first ever
Maxine 61 Cal-look bug - Cindy's daily driver.
Max - 73 standard Beetle hearse project - For sale
66 bug project - Real patina & Suby conversion
There's more, but not keeping them...

[Sharp64]

I’m guessing he may have the wrong pitman arm. I had a similar issue on my dune buggy. Someone replaced the PA with a chrome unit. There are ones with small and large holes. When buying tierods you have to make sure they match. If the pitman arm has large holes and the tierods are small hole, you get a similar effect. Or at least I did.
_________________
1960 Indigo Blue Ragtop (Blue Barry)
1967 Ghia
1985 Westy Money Pit
“...some men aren't looking for anything logical, like money. They can't be bought, bullied, reasoned, or negotiated with. Some men just want to watch the world burn.” - Michael Caine

[andk5591]

Very good point - yeah, you need to mix and match tie rod ends if a later pitman arm.
_________________
D-Dubya Manx clone - 63 Short pan,1914.
Rosie 65 bug - My mostly stock daily driver.
Woodie 69 VW woodie (Hot VWs 7/12).
"John's car" 64 VW woodie - The first ever
Maxine 61 Cal-look bug - Cindy's daily driver.
Max - 73 standard Beetle hearse project - For sale
66 bug project - Real patina & Suby conversion
There's more, but not keeping them...

[zabo]

Im going to take a closer look this weekend. All the rain this week has made it tough to investigate.

I think I have the correct pitman arm -except i hate that its chrome
https://www.ebay.com/itm/142807439743

"The pitman arm is to be used with a steering box with a small shaft and small king pin tie rods"
_________________
1960 6 volt sedan- 1978 adventurewagen
–wanted bill spreen atlanta dealer tag frame

[zabo]

going to test some more- but made some scribe marks and drove it around the block - steering wheel changed position but scribe marks are still aligned.

I do think I need a new inner right wheel bearing as i can feel some play there. No play at the link pins. all tie rod ends are looking good.

Could the wheel bearing be effecting it this much?
_________________
1960 6 volt sedan- 1978 adventurewagen
–wanted bill spreen atlanta dealer tag frame

[glutamodo]

In the 60s, there were just two size of steering output shafts, so if yours fits, it's right.

So you have then verified that both sides of the steering coupler are not shifting? I have seen it where either of the clamps were not tight enough and that would cause odd shifts in the steering wheel.
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Andy T.


IMAGE NOTE: It has been noted that Chrome based browsers may have issues in displaying my vast image library, which use non-secure links and are on an FTP server. Images should still be viewable if the link is clicked though.
I do not know how to fix this. All I can say is it all works fine for me with what I use, Firefox.

[mukluk]

Are you also certain the steering box isn't shifting position on the torsion beam?
_________________
1960 Ragtop w/Semaphores "Inga"

[KTPhil]

[glutamodo]

Well, don't original beams have a nub for the steering box clamp plate to slot into, preventing any kind of that sort of movement? When I put a replacement new Mexican made beam in my Baja I was a bit annoyed that it didn't have the alignment nub on it.
_________________
Andy T.


IMAGE NOTE: It has been noted that Chrome based browsers may have issues in displaying my vast image library, which use non-secure links and are on an FTP server. Images should still be viewable if the link is clicked though.
I do not know how to fix this. All I can say is it all works fine for me with what I use, Firefox.

[TYBUGGER]

I’m sorry to hijack this thread , but I just bought a trw sterring box and no instuctions came with it. Do you have to install any gear oil to it out of the box or grease it in any way. I’ve search threads but found nothing . Thanks for any help