Steering Box *URGENT*

Smiley Veteran Volks Folk

2,125 posts · joined Oct 2008 · 27 Sep 2010, 2:10 pm

#804414

I have just installed a brand new steering box onto my Baja.
But I can't seem to adjust it to take the play out at the steering wheel.

I've tried fiddling around with the adjuster screw and locknut but it doesn't seem to make any difference.

Could anyone please advise how to adjust the steering box correctly?
Do I need to adjust something else on it?

If people could help out as quickly as possible, I want to try and get this sorted before I drive down to Warwick.

Smiley 😎

If you said I was a Volkswagen man, you'd be right.

Sides Veteran Volks Folk

2,220 posts · joined May 2007 · 27 Sep 2010, 3:12 pm

#804419

Hmm, OK... first up - only ever play with that adjuster with the weight off the wheels.

The basic practice I've always been told is:

1. Car on the ground, check the play with wheels straight, full left lock and full right lock
2. If it's excessive anywhere, then you get the car up in the air
3. Put the wheels to where the excess play was and take the adjuster in slightly... like REALLY slightly... 1/8th of a turn or less at a time.
4. Then tighten it all up, wheels back on the ground and check, repeating 1-4 if necessary (it will probably take a few iterations)
5. Once done, road test VERY carefully and check that the steering wheel still self centers when moving.

And that's about it... good luck !!!

🙂

VWDCQ vice pres & web dude - vwdcqinc.org.au
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Sides Veteran Volks Folk

2,220 posts · joined May 2007 · 27 Sep 2010, 3:13 pm

#804420

Oh btw - why did you put in a new steering box... was it because of excess play in the first place ???

If so I'd be taking a look at your tie rod ends also, just in case that's where the play is coming from rather than the steering box....

😎

VWDCQ vice pres & web dude - vwdcqinc.org.au
Join a car club - get car peeps

My toys
'70 Hillclimb Bug 'Jezebel' w/- Haltech EFI - http://bit.ly/VwTNtQ
'60 KG Coupe - resto kinda started
01 New Beetle - gf's car, but I turn the spanners

OZ Towdster Keen to finish some projects

1,921 posts · joined Dec 2003 · 27 Sep 2010, 5:02 pm

#804438

Did you tighten your pitman arm to the output shaft on the box properly

Don't let body work get in the way of real suspension travel

BlueV2 Seriously Crusin Dubber

193 posts · joined Apr 2008 · 27 Sep 2010, 6:21 pm

#804450

I wouldn't have thought you would need to adjust a brand new steering box. I would be checking the free play in other parts of the steering.

Sharpbuilt V2, EJ25, Subaru 5 Speed, Falcon rear discs, Heater & A/C, Rack Steering

OZ Towdster Keen to finish some projects

1,921 posts · joined Dec 2003 · 27 Sep 2010, 6:35 pm

#804452

Dan ,
Is this new box a TRW or some shitty brazilian thing , In your case if it's not the pitman arm and is the box i would send it back to where ever you got it from for a refund and use the steering box out of your rusty 61 up on the hill as it should be a an oval style steering box which will look totally different and are much better for offroad use .
Other than that ring me and discuss the drama , you've got my number . anytime from 6am to 8pm is fine

Andrew

Don't let body work get in the way of real suspension travel

vwo60 Veteran Volks Folk

2,036 posts · joined Feb 2007 · 27 Sep 2010, 6:43 pm

#804453

I also purchased one of those magnificent steering boxes from a South American country that will remain nameless, i had to dismantle it and remachine the thrust face on the adjusting screw to get mine to work any were near acceptable, i checked both of my manuals and it states that you only move the wheel 90 degrees either side of centre during the adjustment process, if you go past this point the play increases because of the design of the steering box and this cannot be eliminated, if you try to adjust it other than on centre with the weight removed from the wheels you can have the box tighten up and will not return to centre on it's own, if it does not self centre and the box is adjusted correctly it might not be the steering box but incorrect castor angle in the front end. TRW is made in Brazil.

Smiley Veteran Volks Folk

2,125 posts · joined Oct 2008 · 28 Sep 2010, 1:38 am

#804550

Thanks for all the comments people.

Sides wrote:Oh btw - why did you put in a new steering box... was it because of excess play in the first place ???

Old box was completely mullered inside, you could physically hear it crunching if you turned the steering with the engine off. And it had about 1/8th of a turn play at the steering wheel. Once it was out I couldn't turn it over by hand.

The steering box was bought from Mid America Motorworks. It only cost $US99 so I'm assuming it's probably not the best quality unit.

And the play is definitely in the box, Tie rod ends are only 4 months old, rubber donut is new, pitman arm is tight, there's no play in the spline on the steering boss.

I will try adjusting with the above described methods later today.

Smiley 😎

PS Andrew - I just had a quick look under the '61 when I got home, can't really see much but the whole of everything is completely coated in oil/grease/sludge. May give you a call in the morning. I might see if I have time today to pull it out and check it over. I'm also swapping up to a 200mm clutch/flywheel/starter🙂

If you said I was a Volkswagen man, you'd be right.

Smiley Veteran Volks Folk

2,125 posts · joined Oct 2008 · 28 Sep 2010, 1:17 pm

#804606

So I took Towdster's advice and pulled the box out of the '61 I have sitting here at home. It is the earlier style of box, but is quite covered in sludge.
What are people's suggestions from here?
Could this incontinence problem be a sign of problems in the early box? Should I try and clean it up and use it?

Or just try and get my shitty quality one to adjust up?

Smiley 😎

If you said I was a Volkswagen man, you'd be right.

Smiley Veteran Volks Folk

2,125 posts · joined Oct 2008 · 28 Sep 2010, 2:03 pm

#804612

Ok

I've just been outside and adjusted the steering box that is in the car.

I've managed to get it to the point where there's minimal play (about 2cm) at the rim of the steering wheel.

However, the steering is very heavy to drive and will not come back to the center if you let go of the wheel.

I think I'm going to clean the early box up and use it.

Thanks to eveyone so far for their input.

Smiley 😎

If you said I was a Volkswagen man, you'd be right.

OZ Towdster Keen to finish some projects

1,921 posts · joined Dec 2003 · 28 Sep 2010, 7:15 pm

#804660

Good choice , also don't forget to recheck and set your end float when you change the flywheel

Don't let body work get in the way of real suspension travel

vwo60 Veteran Volks Folk

2,036 posts · joined Feb 2007 · 29 Sep 2010, 7:27 pm

#804861

The older steering boxes wear the brass nut were it runs on the worm gear, to date i have not been able to adjust the wear out off any that i have had, you can hold the pitman arm in the vice with the steering box in the straight ahead position and twist the box around it, if the shaft move up into the steering box as you apply force the nut is worn and cannot be adjusted, this type of box will give you slack in the straight ahead position when it is worn.

Smiley Veteran Volks Folk

2,125 posts · joined Oct 2008 · 30 Sep 2010, 2:22 am

#804938

vwo60 wrote:The older steering boxes wear the brass nut were it runs on the worm gear, to date i have not been able to adjust the wear out off any that i have had, you can hold the pitman arm in the vice with the steering box in the straight ahead position and twist the box around it, if the shaft move up into the steering box as you apply force the nut is worn and cannot be adjusted, this type of box will give you slack in the straight ahead position when it is worn.

I put the box in yesterday morning and adjusted it up.
It has very minor play, a few mm at the steering wheel. Is very smooth, self centers. Overall I'm very happy with the result. It's a million times better than the new box.

I'm not too worried about the box wearing out. It's only really in as a temporary fix for now. I'm planning to go R&P as soon as I can and have started collecting bits and researching.

Thanks to everyone for their input, looks like my problems are solved for now. Bring on Warwick!

Smiley 😎

If you said I was a Volkswagen man, you'd be right.

vwo60 Veteran Volks Folk

2,036 posts · joined Feb 2007 · 30 Sep 2010, 5:51 am

#804949

good resault, they have a quicker ratio that the new boxes, it's rare to find these in good condition