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What is the purpose of this spacer?
Lateral - August 7th, 2014 at 04:37 PM

Hi guys,

What is the actual purpose of this spacer.

It is located at the top of the steering column on my '76 beetle and sits under the original steering wheel and slips over the column.

Also, why would it be "castellated"?

Regards
Greg

Joel - August 7th, 2014 at 05:04 PM

It fills in the gap between the steering wheel and the shaft bearing to stop the anti rattle bushing (corrigated sleeve between the bearing and the steering shaft) from popping out of place.

Lateral - August 7th, 2014 at 05:45 PM

Thanks Joel,

I thought that was the reason. Why would it be "castellated"?

Also, apparently there are 2 Steering column bearings to choose from:

1. VWC-111-953-559-A - OE GERMAN MADE - STEERING COLUMN BRG UNDERNEATH THE WIPER SWITCH - STANDARD BEETLE 71-74 (40MM O.D. x 24MM I.D. x 7.5MM THICK)
2. VWC-111-953-559-C - STEERING COLUMN BRG UNDERNEATH THE WIPER SWITCH - STANDARD BEETLE 75-79 (40MM O.D. x 22MM I.D. x 7.5MM THICK)

Am I correct in assuming that the steering column in a 76 is in fact from a '74 model and has a 22mm shaft? and that the correct bearing is #1 and you would use an anti rattle bush but if I had a car that used a later steering column that bearing # 2 would be used without the anti rattle bushing?

Regards
Greg

Joel - August 7th, 2014 at 08:35 PM

The actual shaft size is the same, its the thickness of the anti rattle bushing that changes.

I'll have to suss out my spare columns on the weekend, I;ve never noticed any difference in size.

Lateral - August 7th, 2014 at 09:26 PM

Thanks Joel

ancientbugger - August 9th, 2014 at 02:39 PM

I reckon it's castellated so you can get a screwdriver into the notch to be able to remove it.

Lateral - August 9th, 2014 at 03:03 PM

That sounds logical.