Steering Box Lumpy...but is it dangerous? [...it is now!]

[HastaAlaska]

Evening Gents.

About 4 years (and a disappointing 20,000 miles ago), I replaced my stock steering box with an aftermarket one, out of Brazil I believe.

FWIW I think it was this one https://www.heritagepartscentre.com/uk/211415049h-steering-box-for-left-hand-drive.html

it leaked immediately and has continued to do so ever since, but I've been topping it up on the side of the European and North African roads frequently.

Anyways, it is now lumpy and I'm unable to adjust the slack out of the box (currently 4"+) without making the lumps / drag worse.

4" is the best I can get without it feeling too tight.

I'm not confident about rebuilding the steering box myself, so I'm intending to purchase another replacement box (crazy money here in the UK BTW) for my next pit stop, but in the meantime, is there any danger in this drag/resistance/lumps? What would you do?
I've got about 3000 miles before I am back home and hoping this isn't the box's (and my) death dance.

Thanks & Happy New Year amigos.

Ben
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[W1K1]

there is a very detailed thread in the type 3 forum about steering box rebuilding, you might find some relevant info there if there isn't a thread in the bay FAQ's.
the consensus is using John Deer Corn head grease, or Super lube synthetic grease to fill the steering box.
I have used the Super Lube for a couple decades on all sorts of things, I've got no complaints on their products.

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=...mp;start=0

the lumps you're feeling is probably the bearing race, or balls pitting

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1973 super
1965 squareback 1500E
1971 bay window westy- subi swap

[SGKent]

there should only be extremely lite drag thru center. Check it with it disconnected from the drag link.
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“Most people don’t know what they’re doing, and a lot of them are really good at it.” - George Carlin

[busdaddy]

Lumpy steering isn't a problem, until it is...

It may go for years like that, or suddenly seize up solid in traffic, or on the next twisty mountain road at speed next week, are you a gambler?
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[HastaAlaska]

[HastaAlaska]

We made it as far as northern Spain, (750 miles) but unfortunately, the sh!t has hit the fan! and we're fairly remote

The steering play is now 1/4 of the wheel!

I found nuts (A) were all loose, not sure how, when, or why. To be honest, these are not nuts that I ever check or touch. They were painted like that when the box was new in 2019 and I thought it best not to touch them.

The adjustment nut (B) was loose too, but I think that is because the whole adjustment nut has stripped its thread and has backed out, causing the major excessive play. (you can just see this in the photo)

SO.....I clearly need a new steering box right away and I'm working on sourcing that.... in the meantime, so I can go and get supplies, please could I have your thoughts on the following?

1) How bad is it? - If the adjustment bolt backs all the way out, is there any danger of the steering completely failing? I can amble to the shop to get food and water with 1/4 wheel play on these Spanish dusty track roads...but will it get worse?

2) Can it be patched? - As this steering box is going to be replaced, can I tap a different thread and bolt into that hole to reduce the current play?

Any other suggestion is welcome. I've got a few days of food and water, but only a spotty internet connection to see your replies, which I will be eagerly waiting for on top of a dusty (and very windy) Spanish hill

muchos gracias amigos
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2011 - PRESENT
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Latest Adventures - https://www.youtube.com/@kombilife

[SGKent]

how would anyone here know how to advise you on something like that which they cannot touch, feel, or see? When you say something in the steering box is stripped, what else can possibly go wrong - cause you to turn left off a 1500' cliff? Tighten the bolts, drive 15 miles an hour to someplace where you can have a new box shipped to you, and order one. VW Heritage in the UK, Serial-Kombi in France, or maybe Paruzzi in the Netherlands might have something and ship to Spain. Or find a late bay donor locally to pull one out of.
_________________
“Most people don’t know what they’re doing, and a lot of them are really good at it.” - George Carlin

[busdaddy]

If it got so bound up it pushed the adjuster stud out I can't suggest anything remotely safe to even bodge it for a short drive, too much danger for me to even speculate (and I'm the king of creative bush fixes).
As Steve suggests a replacement is the only option at this point.
_________________
Rust NEVER sleeps and stock never goes out of style.

Please don't PM technical questions, ask your problem in public so everyone can play along. If you think it's too stupid post it here
Stop dead photo links! Post your photos to The Samba Gallery!

Слава Україні!

[germansupplyscott]

[aeromech]

Snore………
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Capable of leaping tall buildings in a single bound

[dodger tom]

steve at wolfgang international in redding, ca sells rebuilt original boxes. i’ve been happy with mine.
_________________
1978 Champaign Edition Westfalia
Would never find the time to keep up another classic air-cooled.

[germansupplyscott]

You could contact this fellow, he's in France. Rebuilding Bus steering boxes.

https://www.instagram.com/renatodelacale/
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SL

[Manfred58sc]

I've had an early version fail while behind the wheel. I'm very very lucky to still be here. I had been having "lump" issues for a short while, tried "adjusting it" 2X in 20 miles and it broke while I was going 40mph. It failed in the straight position, steering wheel moved, wheels did not. Get a tow to a campground, order a new box, beg for money, you know the drill.

I'm glad you are just dicking around Europe, you had zero chance of going around the world in a Bus. Even a wicked resourceful owner/mechanic could not pull that off anymore. Times have changed and those days are over.

Fill replacement Box with Super Lube, it resists emulsification with water and is far superior to older lubricants.
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Fat chick owner/operator

[HastaAlaska]

Hey guys,
Thanks for all your input. We’re certainly on the same page and we will source a new steering box right away.

Just wondering if anyone has any thoughts on if we could do the box replacement ourselves with standard tools, in the boondocks? I have a pretty large tool box here but the pullers don’t travel with me, so are there any workarounds?

We’re currently parked up in a north Spain desert, up on blocks near the town of Chodes. it’s already -4C (25F) at 9pm so not ideal conditions, we’ve got a petrol heater but currently on the Empty mark (no gas station in town but we will m be using it sparingly. Spirits remain amazingly high as we’re in a great place and have made a good local contact (via an Irish guy called Frank who stopped by when I was under the bus, and within 3 minutes had lent us his car to go to the shop for food)

If there is no way to do the job ourselves there will be mechanics a couple of towns over.

Thanks for your input, it’s appreciated.
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2011 - PRESENT
Hasta Alaska Series - https://kombilife.com/hasta-alaska/
World Overland Series - https://kombilife.com/world-overland-travel-series/
Latest Adventures - https://www.youtube.com/@kombilife

[germansupplyscott]

[SGKent]

the only suggestion I have is I think you have a later bay. If so see if there are any in wrecking yards around. If so then pull the steering gear out of it and leave the drop arm on, assuming it is left hand drive like yours. If it is right hand drive then the drop arm gets flipped over. As Scott said, it takes a pretty big puller to pull the drop arm off.
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“Most people don’t know what they’re doing, and a lot of them are really good at it.” - George Carlin

[1970fun]

See it on the + side as this ads a whole lot of drama in your upcomming series😉

[dodger tom]

on the other hand, if you find a mechanic, he’s likely to pull it off with no problem. my mechanic, who does 4-wheel drive suspension work on trucks, etc, looked at my front end, and said “what a cute little drag link.”
_________________
1978 Champaign Edition Westfalia
Would never find the time to keep up another classic air-cooled.

[SGKent]

[Manfred58sc]

Propane torch to warm everything up, 3lb short sledge hammer, pickle fork or modified prybar ( hell I've used a tire iron before). It will go, keep nuts in place to avoid hurting threads.

The correct pitman arm puller is a bit of a specialized tool not necessarily found in a Spanish shop working on SEAT and Renaults.
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Fat chick owner/operator