squeaky steering...

[MMMC]

you get one thing fixed then the next comes along...

Right my steering is making a squeaking sound when turning coming from the bottom of the steering column. Its like a rubbery drawn out sound rather than a metal squeak. I hadn't drove the bus for a couple of weeks as I was away and then this has happened. I lifted the front end of the bus up and whilst the sound happened less it was still there. The steering performance is still good. This one is a mystery to me...any clues

 

[Guest]

sounds like the steering coupling?

 

[MMMC]

sounds like the steering coupling?

hmm...that is rubber...I will get underneath again....not sure what it could be rubbing on though.

 

[MMMC]

right I've been under again and had the misses turn the steering. The steering coupling looks fine. The squeaking is like when you have your trainers squeak on a shiny floor. It sounds like its coming from the top of the steering box but its really hard to locate. This is sending me mental! Help please.

 

[Guest]

unbolt the steering damper and try turning the steering? i think you might need a new one

 

[MMMC]

I wish it were that simple mate...defo coming from the top of the steering box. Can you top the oil up in the steering box?

 

[Araon]

yep but not in situe....

I agree with johnny sounds more likely to be the coupling, its not far from the box and sound travels through a solid......

 

[Guest]

i was thinking about the sound travelling and that why i suggested the dampener,

i have heard shocks make exactely the same noise youve described when they were shot :?

its obviously something rubber or soft... what else in the steering is made from rubber? is there any loose cabling? the horn wire etc?

 

[MMMC]

yep but not in situe....

I agree with johnny sounds more likely to be the coupling, its not far from the box and sound travels through a solid......

I'll look again but it looked in good nick to me...had my fingers all over it last night.. No cracks, no flexing, all the bolts looked tight

 

[Araon]

the oil seals on the box peg shaft and worm spindle possibly shot as are the bearings....have you adjusted the steering box at all as tight dry bearings can sound like a squeeky rubber...

 

[MMMC]

the oil seals on the box peg shaft and worm spindle possibly shot as are the bearings....have you adjusted the steering box at all as tight dry bearings can sound like a squeeky rubber...

I'm glad I've got the 2 technical guru's on the case...cheers chaps.

That's interesting that the bearings could sound like rubber...although I've not adjusted the steering box at all. So it sounds like I need to lube the box. I was just reading on the samba that you could lube the steering box in situ by squirting gear box oil in through a grommet? look at this post....

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=311463" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

 

[faux]

I topped up my box last week from underneath, there is a rubber bung which you can pull out. I used a squirty bottle with a piece of plastic tubing attached. It did the job.

I get a squeak from the rubber cover on top of the box, only happened since I reconditioned the box though.

 

[Araon]

the problem with that is you have know idea of the amount of oil in it....

unlike a gearbox theres no way of topping up until its level with the lip, overfill and your likely to reduce the life of your seals if not blow them completely especially if there as is very likely th OG seals..... I suppose you could fill it then remove a small amount with a syringe or your squeezy bottle, plus ideally you want to flush the old out along with any metalic debris....

 

[bollockchops7]

I topped up my box last week from underneath, there is a rubber bung which you can pull out. I used a squirty bottle with a piece of plastic tubing attached. It did the job.

I get a squeak from the rubber cover on top of the box, only happened since I reconditioned the box though.

I have just fitted a new box, it too squeaks when you turn. I say its just because its new rubber on the top where the steering rack fits.

 

[bollockchops7]

the problem with that is you have know idea of the amount of oil in it....

unlike a gearbox theres no way of topping up until its level with the lip, overfill and your likely to reduce the life of your seals if not blow them completely especially if there as is very likely th OG seals..... I suppose you could fill it then remove a small amount with a syringe or your squeezy bottle, plus ideally you want to flush the old out along with any metalic debris....

My box came back filled with a type of grease and when i phoned and asked if i needed to fill it with oil, they said that it is the norm to be filled like this and i won't need to bother with it again.

 

[MMMC]

Chaps - all fixed for a tenner!

Got some gear box oil, a syringe and some thin flexi pipe and set about topping the oil up. The red cap came off dead easy.

It must have been empty cause it took a lot of juice...

Araon - took your advice and removed some when it was brimming.

The result...no squeek and smoother steering.

Thanks for all the hints and tips....earlybay strikes again.

 

[Araon]

Gearbox hypoid oil should be in the steering box.....

is it packed with grease? as thats a sure way for the seals to blow as its packed in there and eventually the grease will be forced out to the seals by the worm and peg.....

 

[MMMC]

Gearbox hypoid oil should be in the steering box.....

is it packed with grease? as thats a sure way for the seals to blow as its packed in there and eventually the grease will be forced out to the seals by the worm and peg.....

It was just bog standard gear oil and there was no grease in there as far as I could tell....is the hypoid going to make a big difference? I'll keep an eye on it. Its in a lot better state than it was a few hours ago.

 

[Araon]

sorry responding to bollockchops above yours.....

I would keep an eye on yours anyways as it seems it was virtualy dry, but likelyhood is its gasping a sigh of relief after finally getting a drink ( which reminds me Peterborough Beer festival this weekend )

hypoid being an extreme pressure oil required due to the worm gear/peg mesh, reduces noise and wear..... the grease?do you have any idea what grease it is?