Steering Questions

[Air Cooled Rookie]

Hi all.

When I rock the steering wheel from left to right on my !972 cross over, there is a clonking noise coming from underneath. Is this likely to be the steering box?

I have heard thatr steering boxes have a fair bit of play in them, but how much is normal?

Finally, the coupling on the steering column (the square one with four bolt holes) looks really shabby. Are they easy to change?

Thanks

 

[angus]

Ah - I had this as an MOT failure years ago - too much play. ISTR that you can tighten out some of the slack in the 'box by adjusting the big hex socket underneath (should point out mine is a '68 so may be different - everything else bloody is...) - but this only goes so far.

I still have that problem so will be interested to see if there is any other way to fix this rather than spend £300 on a new 'box.

Worth checking all the linkages between the 'box and the wheels as well whilst you are at it - a buggered ball joint or link would also create knocking....

 

[Araon]

the worm and peg box was used throughout the early bay, as Angus said start by checking everything hanging from it, tie rods, drop arm and the relay shaft also make sure the box is firmly affixed then adjust the box slacken the lock nut and turn the adjuster screw either way, may help to have someone else in the cab

PS should be done with the weight off the front end.. ie on axle stands...

 

[Monkeyspinner Tim]

Almost every bay i have imported has a small metalic clicking noise in the box, if you adjust it up to stop it it's over adjusted and will **** the box, i had a couple apart and they looked perfect so just put them back together using steeringbox lube which deadens the niose but doesnt get rid completely. it is nothing to worry about but do make sure you check all the other ball joints too....

 

[richbaker78]

angus......
heres one way of doing things without spending £300....zero slack
Ive done it on my bay - definatly worth it.
http://www.vwkd.co.uk/bb/viewtopic.php?t=278

whilst I was there I also combined it with this....
http://www.vwkd.co.uk/bb/viewtopic.php?t=1309

 

[Justin & Muttley]

angus......
heres one way of doing things without spending £300....zero slack
Ive done it on my bay - definatly worth it.
http://www.vwkd.co.uk/bb/viewtopic.php?t=278

whilst I was there I also combined it with this....
http://www.vwkd.co.uk/bb/viewtopic.php?t=1309

I've been following that thread for a while now - top quality work!
I'd love to see a setup like that available at sensible prices - could it happen???

 

[richbaker78]

it probably could happen as could my Porsche brake conversion - both would prob only be about £100 in adpator kits - but the problem with these things and reason I havent done anything (aside from lack of time to test on all variations of a bay) is liability.

Modifying such an important part of the van for other people to use would cost.....there are a lot of companies out there that sell poorly engineered parts with no liability - but personally I wouldnt want to be responsible for someones death or indeed incur the costs of a claim against me even though I have no reason to believe it would fail.