Early Beetle Steering Box ( Need a new one)

FROSTY Insano Dub Head

744 posts · joined May 2009 · 4 May 2013, 6:48 am

#954075

Hi There,
I'm sure it has been asked before, what is the best brand of steering box to buy ?, or can they be rebuilt?
It's for a mate of mine as his is shagged!! I have adjusted it but it is just worn out.
He has had the king links done and also new tie rod ends.
Thanks
Jason frost

Anthiron The Baja Rejuvenation Begins

4,936 posts · joined Oct 2003 · 4 May 2013, 7:09 am

#954076

I bought a TRW box a few years back. It had done about 4.5 years in the car before I pulled it apart. Still on its origional adjustment and worked well.

Nicko

62/60 model bug eye baja bug, (Full Build in Progress)
1974 Chevrolet Luv
1970 MK2 Ford Cortina GT
1979 Yamaha RX125 Two Stroke tracker project.
2004 Harley Davidson Sportster XL Custom

1916baja Custom Title Time!

1,990 posts · joined Sep 2007 · 4 May 2013, 8:02 am

#954086

Yeah dude, I've read that genuine trw are the only way to go.

steve burgess Slammed & Awesome Dubber

92 posts · joined May 2011 · 4 May 2013, 10:01 am

#954097

Do not buy a cheap chinese copy as they are junk.I fitted one up and it was worse than the worn out one.When i pulled it apart the tolerance's were
shocking.On the sector shaft roller the end play was .006" when it should be zero,which equals about 2'' of wheel movement.It was thrown in the bin and a TRW box was fitted.Also they come empty and need to be filled with grease

1956 judson supercharged oval
1975 kombi camper
1976 kombi panel van

Lucky Phil Wolfsburg Wizard

480 posts · joined Aug 2010 · 5 May 2013, 12:14 pm

#954237

steve burgess wrote:they come empty and need to be filled with grease

I was told that the TRW box was no good cos thet didn't last.
This is probably why!
I have a new trw box on the shelf waiting to be fitted.
Would I have pulled it apart and greased it before fitment?
My guess would be, no.

psimitar Son of Jim - Creator of Good

2,506 posts · joined Jan 2009 · 5 May 2013, 7:04 pm

#954278

pretty sure my new one is a TRW. Cost enough from Micks 🙅

Anyway, not impressed as have properly adjusted it and turning right I have no play but turning left I've about an inch of play. Not cool on something that's brand new 🙁

madness is in the eye of the beholder 👍

RISKY4LIFE Officially Full-On Dubber

308 posts · joined Jul 2010 · 5 May 2013, 8:49 pm

#954328

yeah i tryed to buy a trw box of rod just over a week ago and he said he would not sell me one as all the trw boxes he got in stock where crap ! heaps of play brand new !

Camo Custom Title Time!

1,936 posts · joined Oct 2007 · 5 May 2013, 9:37 pm

#954345

Funny how you read different views.

I just fitted a TRW on Saturday and drove it today down to Berry. Was bloody great to just sit there not having to constantly keep correcting the steering wheel to keep straight, no free play like the last cheap one. Although I must say the steering does feel a bit heavier, but I thought this may be just as it's brand new and tight.

So far, I'm very happy with the TRW.

Kev

I thought rebuilding a VW would be cheap - Shit I was wrong, just don't let the wife know !!!!

Click here for my (slowy) modded 1961 Beetle build.

psimitar Son of Jim - Creator of Good

2,506 posts · joined Jan 2009 · 6 May 2013, 12:04 am

#954363

Camo wrote:Funny how you read different views.

I just fitted a TRW on Saturday and drove it today down to Berry. Was bloody great to just sit there not having to constantly keep correcting the steering wheel to keep straight, no free play like the last cheap one. Although I must say the steering does feel a bit heavier, but I thought this may be just as it's brand new and tight.

So far, I'm very happy with the TRW.

Kev

Did you check the play before driving it? If it's too tight then you'll kill it pretty quick.

I'm wondering if I may have done this driving it 20k from storage to home? Hard to say tho 🙁

madness is in the eye of the beholder 👍

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

11,654 posts · joined Aug 2002 · 6 May 2013, 12:47 am

#954366

FROSTY wrote:Hi There,
I'm sure it has been asked before, what is the best brand of steering box to buy ?, or can they be rebuilt?
It's for a mate of mine as his is shagged!! I have adjusted it but it is just worn out.
He has had the king links done and also new tie rod ends.
Thanks
Jason frost

Have You adjusted the large nut or just the top small adjuster screw??

I heard TRW were crap many years ago..??

There should be plenty of good old ones still about..

interesting about the new boxes coming without grease??

Moly lithium based grease should be used..

also, good idea to fit a late model collapsible steering shaft so the steering wheel doesn';t get pushed in, in an accident..

LEE

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

steve burgess Slammed & Awesome Dubber

92 posts · joined May 2011 · 6 May 2013, 10:13 am

#954386

Also found the new TRW steering box was not properly adjusted as mentioned.It was way to tight which is why it has a tight (heavy feel).
Best to get a old one and pull it apart to check the cond. They also were filled with oil .

1956 judson supercharged oval
1975 kombi camper
1976 kombi panel van

FROSTY Insano Dub Head

744 posts · joined May 2009 · 6 May 2013, 7:23 pm

#954458

So the consensus (sorry for the spelling) is that TRW are a bit hit and miss..... Is there another brand that is worth buying? I bought a TRW about ten years ago and it was perfect.

psimitar Son of Jim - Creator of Good

2,506 posts · joined Jan 2009 · 6 May 2013, 9:22 pm

#954485

Well I've heard of these guys b4, as I'm from pom land, but couldn't say if they're any good anymore. Give ema ring and ask.

Varga Steering Box.

You could also check out CSP in Germany, may have a German brand, or Wolfsburg West, in California.

madness is in the eye of the beholder 👍