Problems with Steering

geewiz Casual Dubber

27 posts · joined Jan 2005 · 25 Jan 2005, 11:31 pm

#298633

Hey all,

I've got a 1300 bug (not sure on the year, im guessing '70 - judging by vw-resource.com) It has been off the road for the last 4 years, and hasn't been kicked over for 2years until about 4hrs ago 😀 I've finally decided to do something with the beast and would like to resolve any machanical issues that I might be having first, before I dive in for a rebuild project 🙂

My mum was involved in a car accident with the bug, which ended up doing some body damage to my front right quarter, apron, boot, front bumper 🙁 and I found out that the steering had changed for ever...

The problem I seem to be having is that, the tyres dont seem to turn, until I make about 2/3 rotations of the steering wheel.. It has a loose feel to it, and it is obviously not safe to drive. This steering problem has been existant since the accident, and I have been informed that my tausion bar has been bent, and needs to be replaced.

Tomorrow I plan on unbolting two front quarter panels, as they both have to be replaced and will also remove the fuel tank...

What can I do to verify and/or identify the cause of this problem? What might I be looking at getting replaced?

Any advice would be of high value, and directions would be great

./gwz

68AutoBug Beetle Restorer - Experience over 138\% - YIKES --

11,654 posts · joined Aug 2002 · 26 Jan 2005, 12:35 am

#298651

It could be that something inside the steering box is broken or stripped .....
although it could be something quite simple...

Check from the steering box up to the steering shaft that goes to the steering wheel...
there is a large rubber coupling between the shaft to the gearbox and the steering shaft... there is a coupler either side of the rubber coupling that could have come loose...
plus the part that bolts onto the splined shaft out of the bottom of the steering box could be loose.... I'm hoping its one of the latter problems as they are easy to fix....
otherwise its another steering box, but they are easy to come by...
its only the 1303S supers that seem to have a weak and very expensive steering box.....

Lee Noonan -- 68AutoBug --

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- Helping keep Air Cooled VWs on the road - location: SCONE in the Upper Hunter Valley - Northern NSW 320 kms NNW of SYDNEY---

geewiz Casual Dubber

27 posts · joined Jan 2005 · 26 Jan 2005, 12:08 pm

#298801

Lee,

cheers for the advice and information. I'll let you know how things turn out and just if you were wondering how bad the accident was got some pics and other questions on doing some body work in this thread

./g