steering shaft slop

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

anyone?

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.

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!

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.

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.

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

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

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?

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

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.

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

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🤪.