Steering

[gagvanman]

The steering on my RHD 71 EB is crap, its like trying to turn an oil tanker at low speed, and is affected a lot by side winds. All the steering components seem to be in good condition (MOT passed last month), but the steering box itself is leaking like a sieve and I did not realise how bad the steering was until I drove my sons late bay. So I have been looking at the options out there, it seems that despite the exorbitant cost the Red 9 set up still has massive problems, so I thought my best option would be to carry out a late bay steering box conversion, but trying to find one at a decent price is proving difficult. Best price I can find is from FBI £250 + £25 for the Pitman arm and no guarantee.

 

[subheatadey]

But on the positive side you will end up with muscles like this :shock:

 

[chad]

Try advertising on the Late Bay Forum, they come up on there.

 

[dazza1975]

I had major issues with mine, passed MOT as well. On looking on here and asking questions decided to change the steering damper and what a difference it made!!! For £20 its worth a try!! mine was very loose so was passed it but they can seize aswell!

 

[mister]

There was a thread recently about how you can now buy new gearing for Early boxes, then you could rebuild your current one? I think GSF was the supplier? Try a search.

 

[gagvanman]

Thanks for the advice. I think I will get a new steering damper and check out the upgrade for the box...

 

[Alex VW Heritage]

Graham at Midland Early Bay does a drive in drive out service on a late bay box conversion!

 

[gvee]

Midland Early Bay offer a late steering box conversion, drive in, rive out service.

See here; http://forum.earlybay.com/viewtopic.php?f=33&t=57377" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

 

[gagvanman]

Still have to supply the box yourself though. I am capable of doing the conversion myself, love doing things like this, it's one of the reasons for having an old vehicle.

 

[Happystamps]

Do the research yourself. Disconnect the box and the steering damper and figure out which is causing the problem- if it 's the box, take it apart, they're actually quite simple. Just don't adjust the nut on the steering arm or the adjustment screw on the casing without making sure that they need mucking about with first ;-)

 

[mike202]

Being buffeted by the wind could be due to worn bushes on your anti roll bar, or knackered shock absorbers. A good upgrade is a heavy duty ARB. Of course being the shape the vans are, there will always be some buffeting by the wind.

 

[toffo24]

Why not speak to Neil at light steer he has some boxes.

 

[Graham L]

We are rebuilding early bay steering boxes and as a first step I'd try and find out where the issue is, as mentioned above quite easy to take apart and look at the condition of the worm and the peg,(doing myself out of work here but as most people know I'm always willing to help :lol: ) new pegs are now available but worms are not. If the peg has worn too far caused by overtightening then its likely to have damaged the worm. Always worth checking the correct way of setting up the steering box via the Bentley manual as lots of people do it wrongly.

A good well adjusted early bay box can work really well.

 

[gagvanman]

I haven't had the chance to drive an EB with a sorted original type steering box. But I do know the steering on mine has got a lot harder than when I first got it. As I said, driving my son's Late Bay is like chalk and cheese in the steering department.
I might try taking it apart and check the condition of the internals.
Also might treat myself to an uprated anti-roll bar and bushes.

Are seals and gaskets available for a RHD EB steering box as mine is leaking badly?

 

[Graham L]

The seals and gaskets are the same on LHD and RHD but do change from 71 onwards, if its leaking I'd also suspect its got the wrong oil in it, most people use steering box oil/lube which is far thicker and that might not be helping your cause either.

Dont forget that the late bay box uses a set of bevel gears rather than a worm and peg so its bound to feel different especially if yours is worm.

 

[gagvanman]

I have been using EP80 oil, what is the correct oil then?