loads of play

[jangles]

hi earlybayers.. this is my first vw bus/camper (1971 devon) and i only owned it for 1.5 days.... loving it so much, cant leave it alone - any excuse to take it out :mrgreen:
anyway as i am such a new 'early bayer' driver i'm not 100% sure on how they should handle etc... I have noticed there is a lot of play in the steering wheel which makes it fun trying to stay in a straight line sometimes! :shock: ... Is this the "drive box" thing??
Or what could it be if not? , how much would this drive box thing cost - with labour??
Sorry for crap explanation and lack of knowledge but gotta learn somewhere hey :lol:

oh also got some rusty eyelids that i wanted to fit however the 3 screws on the headlights just turn and turn and turn but dont bloody come out :evil: dont feel like they are biting on anything at all but cant pull them out,,,, anyone had a similar problem or any ideas pls :mrgreen:

any help much appreciated... thanks, Rowan.

 

[Guest]

an inch or so of play at the steering wheel is normal, you cant buy a 71 steering box new you will have to find a recon one, get it checked out by a proper garage if your unsure. Lowering the van can help handling by stiffening your steering up and eliminating roll as well. 8)

if you need anything ask in the forsale section first as theres a lot of parts floating around, there was someone selling a steering box a week or so ago... cant remember now

get some pics up! i have a 71 devon too

welcome to EB :wink:

 

[Clarkson46]

Taking your steering p[problems, first invest in a manual, Haynes is better than nothing. Then read up on the adjustment of the steering gearbox. Remember this you have a 40 year old vehicle built to a 70 year old design, it will not handle or compare to a modern vehicle. You've entered to wonderful world of clasic VW.

 

[jangles]

cheers guys ... first of all its so nice to feel the shared interest and get support and all that - thanks nice one....
Yes haynes manual is a must - so is there one specifically for the 1971 devon - anyway i'll ask at the shop..

its more like 4/5 inches play!!! so when the wind blows your really battling to stay on the round - i still love it though - the camper has been lowered so hope its nothing to do with bad lowering (was ashured it was done properly from previous owner)..

Well will read up on the subject.. and going down a local vw camper place to ask them about leasure battery so will get them to look at the play ..

Thanks again, Rowan.... getting some pics up tonight hopefully - not great with computers but will try...
mines a 1971 devon moonraker too :mrgreen:

 

[super-craig]

have a look to see if the rubber plate that connects the steering column and the steering box isnt badly split , i replaced mine and it helped a bit , so i then checked and re-adjusted the box

 

[Guest]

saw this....

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/VW-Camper-Type-2-bay-window-RHD-steering-box_W0QQitemZ290230380690QQihZ019QQcategoryZ27385QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

you dont see them come up often but theres only 2 hours left on it and id want to be sure its the box before buying. you might be able to refurb it anyway.

 

[VWAIRCOOLED]

You need to establish where this play in the steering wheel is coming from,so get someone to rock the steering wheel side to side to the point where the road wheels are only just beginning to move.Then start checking for play from the moving parts to the connected parts.So start with the rubber coupling on the bottom of the steering column where it goes onto the steering box.Then look and see if you're getting output from the steering box,then look at the drag link end,and so on checking all the joints until you get to where the track rods connect to the stub axles.You need to correct the play in the joints closest to the steering column before you condemn those further away.

The wear could be anywhere in the system so check it all.

 

[jangles]

ah johny thanks so much mate.... but i didnt see your post in time - it was what i am looking for but hopefully another will pop up somewhere soon... really appreciate you letting me know though :mrgreen:
nice one, Rowan.

 

[speedwell68]

Remember that a modern car is allowed a maximum of 10mm of play at the steering wheel. Your bus is allowed up to 75mm of play. Check the track rod ends for play, check the steering idle pin for play also. Is the steering damper any good? Also remember that the idle pin and beam require greasing every 3000 miles or twice a year, most don't do this.

 

[streetboy]

Yep, had the same thing when I picked up my old girl, also amazed at how much hard work goes into keeping her in a straight line with a good crosswind!! :shock:
:lol:

Some good tips to think about.

 

[jangles]

so did you get it sorted in the end streetboy??

How'd you do it :mrgreen: :?