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steering shaft slop

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lauzboy Seriously Crusin Dubber

177 posts · joined Mar 2005 ·

#870549
Ive got a 71 bug and there is some slop in the steering wheel. If i hold the wheel at 9 and 3 i can move the wheel up and down a few mm. Taken the wheel off and confirmed that its the shaft moving not the entire column

i presume that theres a bearing in there. can anyone shed some light on fixing this

lauzboy Seriously Crusin Dubber

177 posts · joined Mar 2005 ·

#871266
anyone?

ian.mezz I never said, I could write or spell

3,913 posts · joined Sep 2004 ·

#871278
If its a 71 super bug, check the uni joints in the shaft under the fuel tank, and check the adjustment in top of the steering box.
😂🤪😂🤪😂
car forums. where a lot of peoples good intentions end up taking a good old car off the road forever never ever to see the road again. 🥲

Lucky Phil Wolfsburg Wizard

480 posts · joined Aug 2010 ·

#871279
It does sound like a loose steering column bearing.
sometimes the bearing can be okay but it flogs out the housing.
Nothing like taking it apart and having a look!

grumble Son of Jim - Creator of Good

2,672 posts · joined Jun 2008 ·

#871303
There is also a shim that deteriorates and falls apart giving excess play between the bearing and shaft,these are available from Tooley Imports in Hornsby.

Joel Now containing 100\% E-Wang

9,368 posts · joined Feb 2006 ·

#871308
Grumble's on the money.

Theres a plastic bushing that sits between the steering shaft and the bearing in the column housing.

Once that falls apart which they tend to do after 40 years you get that up/down movement at the wheel.

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

11,654 posts · joined Aug 2002 ·

#871335
lauzboy wrote:Ive got a 71 bug and there is some slop in the steering wheel. If i hold the wheel at 9 and 3 i can move the wheel up and down a few mm. Taken the wheel off and confirmed that its the shaft moving not the entire column

i presume that theres a bearing in there. can anyone shed some light on fixing this
is it a Superbug ?? most 71s were..

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

lauzboy Seriously Crusin Dubber

177 posts · joined Mar 2005 ·

#871387
no not a superbug

had a quick look but didnt want to pull everything apart cos its my daily driver. i usually try to get some research done and parts bought before i get too far stuck into it. nothing like being stranded without a car

vlad01 Compulsive Aussie Vee Dubber

4,270 posts · joined Jun 2010 ·

#871437
Joel wrote:Grumble's on the money.

Theres a plastic bushing that sits between the steering shaft and the bearing in the column housing.

Once that falls apart which they tend to do after 40 years you get that up/down movement at the wheel.
If its a 71 then its likely it wont have the plastic shells. 71 was a one year only I am pretty sure. So if the bearing is moving around in the housing it may need shimming sheets and some retaining fluid( loctite 680)

As for the OP info the slack is the sleeve thingy that goes between the ID of the bearing and the shaft.

Use the late model replacement part for that. 68 and up I think?

71 notchback,
Past owner of, 70 NB, 73 SB and 72 FB TLE

vlad01 Compulsive Aussie Vee Dubber

4,270 posts · joined Jun 2010 ·

#871477
ok?? never seen them before? perhaps they were all missing? I have only seen the 2 piece plastic bush in 68-70 models with the copper plated and grounded bearings.

71 notchback,
Past owner of, 70 NB, 73 SB and 72 FB TLE

Yogie Moderator Custom Title Time!

1,608 posts · joined Jun 2003 ·

#871480
A long shot but my 68 beetle also had some sort of bearing at the bottom to keep the shaft centred as it exits the column. I have never seen one anywhere as a replacement though but maybe the 71 has one of those that is missing?

Yogie

grumble Son of Jim - Creator of Good

2,672 posts · joined Jun 2008 ·

#871481
Joel wrote:I've had 3 71 beetles, my 2/71 superbug had a metal sleeve but the later 2 both had plastic ones.

Even my 70 bug had the plastic one.

This is the part you need.

http://www2.cip1.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=C16%2D111%2D535D
That is the little bugger just give Tooleys a ring and get them to put one in the post or keep on procrastinating & put up with the rattle🤪.