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LBUG Steering Box Rebuild

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Lucky Phil Wolfsburg Wizard

480 posts · joined Aug 2010 ·

#1011138
Can anyone help with info on rebuilding an LBug steering box?
I am getting tired of chasing it all over the road.
I have several spare ones, all totally stuffed, and the one in the car is only worn out.

The chance of finding a decent secondhand unit is very low.
I have heard that parts kits are available, but it was just hearsay.
I have also considered, in desperation,buying a LHD one from the US and stripping it for bits, The box itself is different, and I suspect this will not work.

I have considered converting it to rack and pinion, but I am sure this will be a PITA.
Also, under the draconian conditional registration legislation here in South Australia, this will render the vehicle not compliant, as it must be factory standard.

Any info would be appreciated.
Phil.

donn Wolfsburg Elder

3,515 posts · joined Nov 2005 ·

#1011169
Prety sure I still have a couple of good ones here in Newcast, getting it to you would be the problem, check the part number and post it here and I'll check.
I dream of a day when a chicken can cross a road without being asked for it's motive!

modnrod Fahrvergnugen

978 posts · joined Mar 2011 ·

#1011177
Yep, I'm in too.......


I'm lucky in that mine is low km, but I would still like new bits. I know Statewide Bearings over here couldn't help, but I haven't gone much past that really. I'm sure the bearings and seals will be around somewhere, but I haven't searched yet.
Any leads and any possible info will help me too please, then maybe I can track something down.

Lucky Phil Wolfsburg Wizard

480 posts · joined Aug 2010 ·

#1011192
Thanks for the responses guys.

Yes, that is pricey. But if you allow for $200 odd for parts, that leaves about 4 hours for labour and everything else, so they are not exactly getting rich off it.
Still, that means parts must be available, or they couldn't offer the part in the first place.

I wouldn't mind having a go at repairing mine.
But I may be interested in one from you Don.
I will have a look this weekend when I get home

STIDUB Over it.

1,497 posts · joined Jun 2008 ·

#1011207
have done one for my own beetle, sourced parts through v-force which isn't around any more so that doesn't help you, its a little tricky & i cracked the alloy cap the first time around, thankfully had spares. only thing i dont have is the plastic caps to cover the oil/grease(depending what you read) holes.

id suggest sourcing a good used one, I scored my spare one quite cheaply at a swap meet by chance 🙂
Volkswagen Drivers Club of Queensland - member 🙂

STIDUB - yep its still a work in progress

Vwdcq club car racing/ and crashing while my bug isn't finished.

The above are personal views, no more, no less

Bizarre Moderator The artist formerly known as blue74l

12,789 posts · joined Aug 2002 ·

#1011228
Richard is still around but at $600 odd I don't think you would be saving much.
That is pretty reasonable if they are ok

I have a couple of suspect ones that people can have for practice
Futue te ipsum!!!

psimitar Son of Jim - Creator of Good

2,506 posts · joined Jan 2009 ·

#1011241
The bearings is the easy bit as even though that type aren't available anymore it just a case of machining the worm gear so a modern taper bearing can be used.

You did used to be able to buy new worm gears thru CIP1 and a few UK vendors 5 plus years ago but I've not had a reason too look lately.

However, if the US boxes are in good condition then I can't see why the internals would be any different to a RHD box. It's just the casing that is cast differently.

As A side note I wish I could find a
madness is in the eye of the beholder 👍

1303Steve Scirocco Rare

8,650 posts · joined Aug 2002 ·

#1011252
Hi

I did a rack & pinion conversion, it is hard but they are getting hard to find now but easily rebuilt . How would the rego people know you had fitted a rack & pinion unless you told them.

Steve

Lucky Phil Wolfsburg Wizard

480 posts · joined Aug 2010 ·

#1011257
1303Steve wrote:Hi

I did a rack & pinion conversion, it is hard but they are getting hard to find now but easily rebuilt . How would the rego people know you had fitted a rack & pinion unless you told them.

Steve
Well, they probably wouldn't.
Unless there was an accident or something.
If an investigation showed an illegal modification, the vehicle is deemed unregistered, therefore, no insurance.

I may be a little paranoid, but I believe in planning for the worst and hoping for the best.
Besides, I am a historic Registration Officer with the club, and would rather not be seen walking the other side of the fine line.

psimitar Son of Jim - Creator of Good

2,506 posts · joined Jan 2009 ·

#1011286
Lucky Phil wrote:Well, they probably wouldn't.
Unless there was an accident or something.
If an investigation showed an illegal modification, the vehicle is deemed unregistered, therefore, no insurance.

I may be a little paranoid, but I believe in planning for the worst and hoping for the best.
Besides, I am a historic Registration Officer with the club, and would rather not be seen walking the other side of the fine line.
Yup, plenty of people driving illegal cars out there so good on ya for keeping it legal cos it's not just you but the other party involved who would be uncompensated for a long time or maybe even never. So nice to hear you do things the right way 🙂

And if the racks are slim pickings here the shipping from the UK wouldn't be too bad and the part far cheaper than here anyway. Just to keep in mind if you do go down that route.
madness is in the eye of the beholder 👍

Lucky Phil Wolfsburg Wizard

480 posts · joined Aug 2010 ·

#1011518
A search of the mother country revealed a few interesting facts.
I found no parts whatsoever.
Every site had LHD boxes new and RHD boxes reconditioned, and all at around the same price.(reco $600-$700, new $100)

I wonder where the reconditioned units are coming from?
And where do they get their parts?
Best guess would be the manufacturers of the LHD boxes.
Or maybe they are ripping LHD boxes themselves!

So buying a LHD box may be a good punt.
At around US$100 it would be a well priced parts set.

Jak Rizzo Insano Dub Head

837 posts · joined Apr 2004 ·

#1011675
I just called Boris at Vintage vee dub, he rebuilt one & posted it to me.

Installed

Perfect.

Done.

psimitar Son of Jim - Creator of Good

2,506 posts · joined Jan 2009 ·

#1011770
Lucky Phil wrote:A search of the mother country revealed a few interesting facts.
I found no parts whatsoever.
Every site had LHD boxes new and RHD boxes reconditioned, and all at around the same price.(reco $600-$700, new $100)

I wonder where the reconditioned units are coming from?
And where do they get their parts?
Best guess would be the manufacturers of the LHD boxes.
Or maybe they are ripping LHD boxes themselves!

So buying a LHD box may be a good punt.
At around US$100 it would be a well priced parts set.
As I said, there's a very good chance the internals are identical and it's just the casing that is different. Before buying asking on The Samba for anyone who has rebuilt a LHD box with pictures cos then it'll give you a better idea of there being interchangeable parts. 🙂
madness is in the eye of the beholder 👍