Anybody who is using the red nolathane steering couplings should at least check for cracks, and look at getting an original one to replace it. So far I've heard from at least 3 buggies that have had these fail whilst driving, and will jam the steering, or lose steering altogether...

And another one from overseas......

That is a REAL worry! After having the 'red' engine mounts on my Beetle disintegrate, I will not have that stuff anywhere in my car.

Cheers, Greg

Not that I agree with using these, even a lot of the cheap rubber ones perrish prematurely, BUT VW designed this system so it doesn't kill people, the bolts should interlock and control of vehicle shouldn't be lost, just very sloppy steering should result. I have driven one during failure and got home with the help of a local farm's fence. Having said that, they certainly always get checked in my workshop.

Being totally thick...
Why do people use these red nolathane ones instead of the standard ones then?

omg thats scary i hope no one was hurt because of that dodgey part

It's been well known over here (UK) for ages that they are carp

opens my eyes
i have a new one ready to go in but now it's going in the bin

The Murray River is stuffed thanks to them