SNAP!...CLUNK...GRIND...

[carsdlt]

That's what I heard from the front as I pulled out of my driveway. When I straightened out, the 1-2" of free play in the steering wheel suddenly became 12" and the steering locked up..then popped loose. NOw I have a steering column that shifts up and down,side to side, loose as a goose.
Won't be able to get into it for a few days but I'm thinking maybe steering box or ...?
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Thanx, DLT
'73 181 stock 1600 - "Dr. Bombay"

"If it works, don't fix it....let it break on its own."

[74 Thing]

Steering coupler

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/search.php...ton=Search

[dlicious]

And don't buy a red urethane one. They are known to disintegrate with out warning.
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'63 Caravelle Camper
dLk

[Semper_Dad]

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Walküre Restoration Thread: https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=737492

[carsdlt]

Ugh! That's a mess Semper Dad. Hope mine's not that bad. I suppose I'll have to pull the gas tank to get at that bad boy or can a replacement be done another way? (I just filled the tank so it will be a pain to drain it all...😠)
_________________
Thanx, DLT
'73 181 stock 1600 - "Dr. Bombay"

"If it works, don't fix it....let it break on its own."

[Semper_Dad]

[carsdlt]

Found one at theThingShop..plain black..looks like rubber. I've always had good luck with their stuff,but it's only $9.00. Seems kinda cheap...
_________________
Thanx, DLT
'73 181 stock 1600 - "Dr. Bombay"

"If it works, don't fix it....let it break on its own."

[Semper_Dad]

[74 Thing]

Look at the link that I posted above. There are plenty of VW ones available, but you need to pay.

[carsdlt]

Yeah, I think I'll stick with the OEM stuff in the classified. Got to eyeball it first to see what I need. Stay tuned.
_________________
Thanx, DLT
'73 181 stock 1600 - "Dr. Bombay"

"If it works, don't fix it....let it break on its own."

[yel-mel]

You can definitely do this job by pulling the front wheel and working with some jack stands. I did my a few months ago and did not pull the fuel tank. Took me about an hour. Its a bit fiddly but easy ! I also changed the steering damper at the same time.....its in the same area and very easy.
Have fun

[Wildthings]

You want one with multiple plies of fiber reinforcement. I would call whatever vendor you choose to use and ask them how much reinforcement their product has.

EMPI and CIP are just not good sources for this kind of part.

[Hot Rod Harp]

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74 Thing 1600DP
76 Westfalia 2.0L FI
69 Beetle 1500SP sold
88 Goldwing GL1500/6 sold


RinTinTin in Waldorf Astoria 1956

[Wildthings]

[74 Thing]

Yep, if it tears then there is no safety backup without the fiber discs woven in like the urethane ones (they are known to crack).

[carsdlt]

Ok...finally got to get to this chore. New coupler in but now I have a grinding noise when I turn the steering wheel. Maybe the bushing behind the snap ring?
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Thanx, DLT
'73 181 stock 1600 - "Dr. Bombay"

"If it works, don't fix it....let it break on its own."

[carsdlt]

...removed the snap ring but CANNOT get that bearing to pull off. Is there some trick to that?
_________________
Thanx, DLT
'73 181 stock 1600 - "Dr. Bombay"

"If it works, don't fix it....let it break on its own."

[doublecanister]

hey Carsdlt,

Check and see if the 'cage" or steering crushable area part of the steering is rubbing on the gas tank when you turn the steering wheel.
I ran into that changing mine out years back, I ended up mucking with it and added some new gasket material to the gas tank to body which raised the gas tank up "just a bit" to clear that cage.
I did have to remove the tank to redo the tank to body gasket.

I can't remember if it was from changing out that rag joint or if it was when I replaced the gas tank but I defiantly had some tank to cage rub going on.

Not sure if there's another way but that fixed mine.
T
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****************************************
2020 - Mustang Eco Boost [High Performance]
1973 - Thing
1966 - Mustang GT- Fastback
1951 - Ford F1 pickup Flathead V8

[carsdlt]

Thanks, D ...I'll check it out and post my findings.
_________________
Thanx, DLT
'73 181 stock 1600 - "Dr. Bombay"

"If it works, don't fix it....let it break on its own."

[carsdlt]

Thanks, D ...I'll check it out and post my findings.
_________________
Thanx, DLT
'73 181 stock 1600 - "Dr. Bombay"

"If it works, don't fix it....let it break on its own."