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badufay
Samba Member
Joined: December 13, 2010
Posts: 361
Location: Olympia, WA
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 Posted: Mon May 17, 2021 5:11 pm Post subject: Steering components order of adjustment |
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After lots of searching and reading, I want to confirm my takeaways and logic behind adjusting all the steering components. Back story… 1976 Bus, new tie-rods (static on right side, adjustable on left), new steering damper, new steering box, new drag link, ball joints test good, and link pin seems to be ok with no slop. Also new Koni shocks, HD front sway bar, new stock tires, new front wheel bearings.
My question is the order of adjusting things, my thoughts are:
1. Disconnect drag link and find center and check steering box setting tightness.
2. With wheels straight, adjust drag link
3. Reposition steering wheel once it’s all set (has been removed and can’t speak for its accuracy)
4. Set toe by adjusting left tie rod.
Am I missing anything, does that order sound right? Any tips, tricks?
Thanks,
Ben
_________________
Current: 1976 VW Bus, 3 spd auto 2.0L FI; 2017 GTI S, 6 spd man; 2017 Jetta SE TSI, 5 spd man; 2006 Golf GL 2.0L, auto
Previous: 2015 Golf S TDI, 6 spd man; 2015 Jetta SE TDI, 6 spd man; 12 Jetta 2.5L, 04 Jetta 2.0L, 02 Golf 2.0L, 98 Jetta 2.0L, 98 Golf 2.0L, 98 Cabrio 2.0L, 95 Golf 2.0L, 87 golf GTI 16 valve 1.8L, 86 Cabriolet 1.6L, 80 Audi 4000 1.6L, 76 Audi Fox 1.6L, 76 VW Beetle 1.6L, 74 Audi Fox 1.5L, 69 VW Beetle 1.5L |
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badufay
Samba Member
Joined: December 13, 2010
Posts: 361
Location: Olympia, WA
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| Posted: Wed May 19, 2021 9:16 am Post subject: Re: Steering components order of adjustment |
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Bump… anyone?
_________________
Current: 1976 VW Bus, 3 spd auto 2.0L FI; 2017 GTI S, 6 spd man; 2017 Jetta SE TSI, 5 spd man; 2006 Golf GL 2.0L, auto
Previous: 2015 Golf S TDI, 6 spd man; 2015 Jetta SE TDI, 6 spd man; 12 Jetta 2.5L, 04 Jetta 2.0L, 02 Golf 2.0L, 98 Jetta 2.0L, 98 Golf 2.0L, 98 Cabrio 2.0L, 95 Golf 2.0L, 87 golf GTI 16 valve 1.8L, 86 Cabriolet 1.6L, 80 Audi 4000 1.6L, 76 Audi Fox 1.6L, 76 VW Beetle 1.6L, 74 Audi Fox 1.5L, 69 VW Beetle 1.5L |
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aeromech
Samba Member
Joined: January 24, 2006
Posts: 16961
Location: San Diego, California
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| Posted: Wed May 19, 2021 7:16 pm Post subject: Re: Steering components order of adjustment |
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You say you have stock tires. Please elaborate
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badufay
Samba Member
Joined: December 13, 2010
Posts: 361
Location: Olympia, WA
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| Posted: Fri May 21, 2021 6:44 am Post subject: Re: Steering components order of adjustment |
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The tires are Yokohama Y356. 185/R14...
Ben
_________________
Current: 1976 VW Bus, 3 spd auto 2.0L FI; 2017 GTI S, 6 spd man; 2017 Jetta SE TSI, 5 spd man; 2006 Golf GL 2.0L, auto
Previous: 2015 Golf S TDI, 6 spd man; 2015 Jetta SE TDI, 6 spd man; 12 Jetta 2.5L, 04 Jetta 2.0L, 02 Golf 2.0L, 98 Jetta 2.0L, 98 Golf 2.0L, 98 Cabrio 2.0L, 95 Golf 2.0L, 87 golf GTI 16 valve 1.8L, 86 Cabriolet 1.6L, 80 Audi 4000 1.6L, 76 Audi Fox 1.6L, 76 VW Beetle 1.6L, 74 Audi Fox 1.5L, 69 VW Beetle 1.5L |
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aeromech
Samba Member
Joined: January 24, 2006
Posts: 16961
Location: San Diego, California
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| Posted: Fri May 21, 2021 7:17 am Post subject: Re: Steering components order of adjustment |
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| badufay wrote: |
The tires are Yokohama Y356. 185/R14...
Ben |
Are they load rating c? Will they support the weight of the bus? I ask because if they are passenger tires you’ll get a shitty ride and steering will be harder. With the proper tires the ride becomes much better.
_________________
Lead Mechanic: San Diego Air and Space Museum
Licensed Airframe and Powerplant Mechanic
Licensed Pilot (Single engine Land)
Boeing 727,737-200-300-400,757,767
Airbus A319,320,321
DC9/MD80
BAe146
Fokker F28/F100
VW type 1 1962,63,65,69,72
VW Type 2 1971 (3 ea.) 1978, 1969
VW Jetta
VW Passat
Capable of leaping tall buildings in a single bound |
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secretsubmariner
Champagne Wrangler
Joined: January 08, 2011
Posts: 3104
Location: Tulsa, OK
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| Posted: Fri May 21, 2021 8:58 am Post subject: Re: Steering components order of adjustment |
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| aeromech wrote: |
| badufay wrote: |
The tires are Yokohama Y356. 185/R14...
Ben |
Are they load rating c? Will they support the weight of the bus? I ask because if they are passenger tires you’ll get a shitty ride and steering will be harder. With the proper tires the ride becomes much better. |
 A quick googling proves they are loaded for commercial and truck purposes.
From Discount Tire: Yokohama Y356 is a durable tire that delivers a stable ride and reliable wet weather traction for light trucks and utility vehicles.
Sorry Badufay, I do not know the exact order in which the steering components "need" to be adjusted, if they require any sort of order. In my experience, a helper rocks the wheel back and forth while another person is under the car looking at the components. Do you see any part of the steering stuff moving a lot before it impacts the other parts? If so, that part likely needs a closer look.
It's nice that you have lots of new parts - It doesn't really say in your post if you have excessive slop in your wheel. Is there an underlying reason for your question? I'd say if you don't have excessive slop, all your new parts are securely installed, and your toe is correct, you are probably good to go.
Do you hear a loud whir at speeds exceeding like, 40MPH?
Do you sway about the road in a head wind?
Well congratulations - You're driving a heavy-ass, underpowered and outdated loaf of bread. Enjoy it!
Your steps 1-4 sound good to me. When I replaced my drag link, I just adjusted it so it was the same length as the old one. Put it in, and made a huge difference.
You say your link pin "seems" to be ok with no slop. I thought mine was too, but after I adjusted and replaced what I could, the link pin was the last thing left. It is the last thing that is giving me about an extra inch of steering wheel slop. When my helper turned the wheel, it is the only thing that is moving a little bit before anything else does.
I hope this helps, but if your bus is driving pretty well with minimal wheel slop, you are ahead of the game.
Good luck!
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1978 Champagne Edition Bus FI
1970 Auto Fastback FI |
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telford dorr
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Joined: March 11, 2009
Posts: 3551
Location: San Diego (Encinitas)
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| Posted: Fri May 21, 2021 9:03 am Post subject: Re: Steering components order of adjustment |
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| badufay wrote: |
1. Disconnect drag link and find center and check steering box setting tightness.
2. With wheels straight, adjust drag link
3. Reposition steering wheel once it’s all set (has been removed and can’t speak for its accuracy)
4. Set toe by adjusting left tie rod.
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I'd change the order a little:
1. Set toe by adjusting left tie rod. This adjustment isn't affected by any other step, but may affect other steps.
2. Disconnect drag link and find steering gear center hard spot and check steering box setting tightness. When the wheels are straight, the steering box should be on the center hard spot where the gear mesh is the tightest.
3. Reposition steering wheel. so it's straight at the middle of the steering gear center hard spot.
4. With steering wheel and road wheels straight, reattach and adjust drag link so that the bus goes straight when the steering wheel is straight. (To get this perfect, you can install an adjustable tie rod on both sides.)
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'71 panel, now with FI
'Experience' is the ability to recognize a mistake when you're making it again - Franklin P. Jones
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More VW electrical at http://telforddorr.com/ (available 9am to 9pm PST) |
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badufay
Samba Member
Joined: December 13, 2010
Posts: 361
Location: Olympia, WA
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| Posted: Fri May 21, 2021 1:16 pm Post subject: Re: Steering components order of adjustment |
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That makes sense, Ill do that. As far as the other questions, I don't have too much slop anymore with all the new parts, but need to get it all adjusted to really see. I'll follow the steps Telford Dorr suggested and report back. Appreciate the help.
Ben
_________________
Current: 1976 VW Bus, 3 spd auto 2.0L FI; 2017 GTI S, 6 spd man; 2017 Jetta SE TSI, 5 spd man; 2006 Golf GL 2.0L, auto
Previous: 2015 Golf S TDI, 6 spd man; 2015 Jetta SE TDI, 6 spd man; 12 Jetta 2.5L, 04 Jetta 2.0L, 02 Golf 2.0L, 98 Jetta 2.0L, 98 Golf 2.0L, 98 Cabrio 2.0L, 95 Golf 2.0L, 87 golf GTI 16 valve 1.8L, 86 Cabriolet 1.6L, 80 Audi 4000 1.6L, 76 Audi Fox 1.6L, 76 VW Beetle 1.6L, 74 Audi Fox 1.5L, 69 VW Beetle 1.5L |
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Wildthings
Samba Member
Joined: March 13, 2005
Posts: 50337
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| Posted: Fri May 21, 2021 6:03 pm Post subject: Re: Steering components order of adjustment |
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| telford dorr wrote: |
| badufay wrote: |
1. Disconnect drag link and find center and check steering box setting tightness.
2. With wheels straight, adjust drag link
3. Reposition steering wheel once it’s all set (has been removed and can’t speak for its accuracy)
4. Set toe by adjusting left tie rod.
|
I'd change the order a little:
1. Set toe by adjusting left tie rod. This adjustment isn't affected by any other step, but may affect other steps.
2. Disconnect drag link and find steering gear center hard spot and check steering box setting tightness. When the wheels are straight, the steering box should be on the center hard spot where the gear mesh is the tightest.
3. Reposition steering wheel. so it's straight at the middle of the steering gear center hard spot.
4. With steering wheel and road wheels straight, reattach and adjust drag link so that the bus goes straight when the steering wheel is straight. (To get this perfect, you can install an adjustable tie rod on both sides.) |
Step #1 would be to check and adjust your camber as it will effect other adjustments. Aim to get the camber the same on both sides so your bus will not pull to one side or the other. Better to have both sides slightly out of spec but at the same angle than to have one side in spec and the other out leaving you with a variance from side to side. |
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aeromech
Samba Member
Joined: January 24, 2006
Posts: 16961
Location: San Diego, California
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| Posted: Fri May 21, 2021 8:28 pm Post subject: Re: Steering components order of adjustment |
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First step when evaluating slop in steering is to leave the front tires weight on wheels while you turn the steering wheel roughly 20 degrees left and right. Watch all the components for wear. The center link is usually worn out so relook it over
_________________
Lead Mechanic: San Diego Air and Space Museum
Licensed Airframe and Powerplant Mechanic
Licensed Pilot (Single engine Land)
Boeing 727,737-200-300-400,757,767
Airbus A319,320,321
DC9/MD80
BAe146
Fokker F28/F100
VW type 1 1962,63,65,69,72
VW Type 2 1971 (3 ea.) 1978, 1969
VW Jetta
VW Passat
Capable of leaping tall buildings in a single bound |
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