Steering box Q

[Araon]

Anyone know if the worm roller type box can be interchanged with the earlier worm peg, are the footprints the same etc...?

 

[panalvan]

I dont think so as i wanted to fit a latter box to my early bay and the chassis rails are diffrent and the later box looks like it will not fit .I only had a quick look at this so it may be possable but i would think not

 

[Araon]

may have to have a further look into it...the late boxes are for easier to get hold of and easier to maintain/adjust....

 

[VWAIRCOOLED]

I stripped down and repaired an early box,they can't be swapped with each other.My '70 bay now has a late chassis front rail so I had to get a late steering box as the early one would no longer physically fit.

I found though, that if you have too much play in the worm drive bearing in the early box(it wobbles from side to side) then you can adjust this out(splitting the whole thing apart and removing the peg arm) then remove the bearing end plate held with 4 bolts and remove 1 shim,then refit and test again.It should rotate freely without play.Then refit the peg arm and rebuild the casing and adjust the locknut for play in the central position,rechecking once fitted to the van.

I think the earlier ones are more easy to maintain but you can't get the parts.The late ones weren't made to be stripped or maintained so easily apart from the locknut adjuster.You just replace the whole thing when it wears out.

I now have a spare late and a spare early steering box which I can't sell incase I need them one day.

 

[james_stan]

Hi

Just to add a bit.. the boxes are different as has been described.
Also you can remove the late boxes with the pitman arm still attached I think. This is a bonus as I needed a hydraulic puller to get mine off - I nearly had a haeart attck when it eventuially 'cracked off'.

As Araon says the late ones are much chepaer to get hold of and I can't imagine it would be that hard to make an adapter plate. Has anyone one done this ?


Cheers

james

 

[VWAIRCOOLED]

You would possibly need to redrill and reshape the chassis rail to get it to fit,thats if you even could do it?I don't think the extra work would be worth it.I would just put the right steering box on the right chassis rail.Next time I'm at my unit and if I remember I'll have a look and see if it is possible though.

 

[khh48]

Hi
I did this swap at my 71 since mine were worn and i had a brand new late steering box laying around.
You need to reshape the hole in the rail and move two of the boltholes.
Took me a couple of hours and it was worth it

Knut

 

[Araon]

Thats exactly what I was thinking fella cheers for that.... I had the notion I may have to knock up an adaptor but hey it sounds too easy dont suppose you have any pics...

 

[khh48]

Thats exactly what I was thinking fella cheers for that.... I had the notion I may have to knock up an adaptor but hey it sounds too easy dont suppose you have any pics...

Sorry, no pics
8)

 

[Araon]

no worries cheers for your reply