Steering box, new install. Clicks and odd play.

[ggolds5]

HI all. So I've had my Bus with a local "guru". Everyone in the clubs in Connecticut and Mass love this person. I do to. So that said. He installed a new steering box in my 76 Bay Westy. The previous box was great, but leaked. Since it apparently was more time and work to just replace the seals in the old one, he just ordered a new one for me. I was good with that. I just got the Bus back. It now has an odd sensation when turning. I'll be turning and suddenly there is a 1-2 inch "slip" feeling. Another words, it just lets go for a small amount of the turn and then is normal. In addition, there is a disconcerting CLICK in turns also. He says it's an adjustment needed but I can't quite figure out how this could be just an adjustment. Am I wrong, and could this be a major safety issue?. How can this be fixed, and keep in mind, the box is a newly purchased professionally rebuilt unit by a very reputable company. He is very anal about where to buy parts. ANY help is much appreciated. What should I do prior to him getting this back and making an adjustment etc.

[SGKent]

take it back to him and explain it. Anything less is wasting your time.
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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

[Abscate]

Gurus are still human, and letting a Bus out of a shop like this just proves that point. Back it goes, on a flatbed so you don’t hurt others.

Waiver if it is less than 5 KM and under 50 KM per hour to shop
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.ssS!

[richparker]

Many of us fill our leaking boxes with grease instead of oil. Lots of threads here on the samba about it and what grease to use.

Good luck!
_________________
__________
’71 Westy build
Adventure thread
’65 Deluxe Build
’63 Deluxe Build

[raygreenwood]

Not from a bus....but from an acvw.

Many years ago after having the steering box out and back in.....I had that same 1-2" slip feeling only when turning either sitting still or at very low speed when there is a lot of tire friction to overcome.

Turned out.....I had forgotten to re-install the cross bolt that went through the splined yoke that connected steering column to the steering box. They have a little slack and without the cross bolt can rotate about 1/3 of a clock position each direction.

Worth checking. But yes....take it back to who worked on it. Ray

[skills@eurocarsplus]

sorry

time for a new "guru"

any asshole that lets bad steering out of the shop needs a 27mm wrench across the teeth

I have yet to find a "reputable" rebuilder for these boxes and when I build them, it takes 4-5 cores to build 1 and by the time the parts and machining come together they are close to 1k for a rebuilt box

there is absolutely no adjustment that is going to fix your complaint. either the pinch bolt isn't tight or there is something horribly wrong with the steering box.

so sick of people getting a "pass" because "he's a 'guru'" or a "nice guy"
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[W1K1]

that should have been as simple as draining the existing oil, and filling it with grease, and putting it back in.
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http://www.thesamba.com/vw/archives/manuals/jim_martin_engine_build.php

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

[orwell84]

I’m no guru, but after fixing something on my bus, I go for a test drive; first somewhere safe and close to home, in case the wheels come off. Then, actual driving with other cars and people.

I agree that you should first take it back to the mechanic for a solution.

I had the same issue with my steering box. It wouldn’t hold oil. I could order one on eBay and get a turd, or a super duper expensive one and get a turd or spend the summer hunting down 5 used turd boxes to build 1 ok box. I have absolutely no confidence whatsoever that spending good money for a steering box will result in a good one arriving at my door.

I filled it with corn head grease. So far it has stayed in.

[aeromech]

I’ll bet you steering coupler is folding. Get a genuine one with the VW logo
_________________
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

[mikedjames]

If you fail to fully torque up the fixing bolts for your steering box, it can give suddenly as the whole thing rotates a fraction.
A clue is that the position of the steering wheel driving straight on a flat road will be different each time you go out after one of these jumps.

I managed this by forgetting the fourth bolt on the final tightening...

I used the ' feature' to straighten up the steering wheel so spokes were horizontal straight ahead before I re torqued the bolts.
_________________
Ancient vehicles and vessels

1974 VW T2 : Devon Eurovette camper with 1641 DP T1 engine, Progressive carb, full flow oil cooler, EDIS crank timed ignition.
Engine 1: 40k miles (rocker shaft clip fell off), Engine 2: 30k miles (rebuild, dropped valve). Engine 3: a JK Preservation Parts "new" engine, aluminium case: 26k miles: new top end.
Gearbox rebuild 2021 by Bears.

1979 Westerly GK24 24 foot racer/cruiser yacht Forethought of Gosport.
1973 wooden Pacer sailing dinghy

[oscarsnapkin]

[Xevin]

Just curious of what year bus this is? What brand of steering box? Was it rebuilt in Northern California?
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Keep on Busin'

[richparker]

https://www.rockauto.com/en/parts/lares,209,steering+coupler,7418
_________________
__________
’71 Westy build
Adventure thread
’65 Deluxe Build
’63 Deluxe Build

[richparker]

[Xevin]

[ggolds5]

[ggolds5]

[ggolds5]

[aeromech]

I said that your steering coupler might be folding. Not steering box.

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=435679&highlight=steering+coupler
_________________
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

[mikedjames]

Another thought is that if the box is OK, the new box is showing up other defects in the remainder of the steering:

Drag link rod ends loose.
Centre pivot pin and bushings worn.
Track rod ends loose.
Ball joints worn.

You did not notice them before but now the box is not clunking away, you can hear the rest ...
_________________
Ancient vehicles and vessels

1974 VW T2 : Devon Eurovette camper with 1641 DP T1 engine, Progressive carb, full flow oil cooler, EDIS crank timed ignition.
Engine 1: 40k miles (rocker shaft clip fell off), Engine 2: 30k miles (rebuild, dropped valve). Engine 3: a JK Preservation Parts "new" engine, aluminium case: 26k miles: new top end.
Gearbox rebuild 2021 by Bears.

1979 Westerly GK24 24 foot racer/cruiser yacht Forethought of Gosport.
1973 wooden Pacer sailing dinghy