hey
the steering box is covered in some sort of oil (dont know) does it need toi be replaced?
cheers
rhys

Rhys

The oil is suspost to be on the inside of the steering box.

"the steering box is covered in some sort of oil (dont know) does it need toi be replaced?"

Or topped up?

I have heard of a very thick steering box oil that's supposed to reduce leaking problems. Anybody heard of it or used it?

Steering box is OK if it has minimal play/backlash....they're not difficult to rebuild - they have a number of ball bearings (8mm or 6mm - can't remember?)
which you can buy from any bearing shop....arranged just like a bicycle headstem. You can adjust the worm and pinion. Unless they're REALLY stuffed through lack of lubrication you can bring them back. It'll be leaking becau the seal on the shaft is kaput. Measure and try bearing shop for something that will fit...

RobK

http://www.splitbusaustralia.com 

Had a bit of a search around the net for stuff about vw steering boxes. The general consensus seems to be:
- use 90w gear oil. Grease can end up everywhere but where it's needed because the box doesn't get hot enough for it to flow.
- replace the seal to stop the leak, but in the interim keep topping up the oil. If you let the box run dry you could be up for big dollars for a replacement.
- the location and ease of access of the oil filler seems to vary, but you can be sure it's near the top

I'll know more about it when I look at mine this weekend!

hey
thanks heaps guys i will pull it out this weekend and order a seal from our sponsor!
cheers
rhys

how often is it needed to be changed?
cheers
rhys


[Edited on 7-11-2002 by kombi_kid]

Don't think the sponsor will have one Rhys (or anyone else will either). You'll have to pull the seal and go to a friendly and patient bearing/seal shop and see if the can match it with something 'modern'..

From memory steering box oil change is the same service interval as gearbox oil (30k miles?)...

oh ok so i will have to go and have a talk to him!
is it wise to change the bearings in it while i have it pulled apart?
cheers
rhys

If they look pitted or if they don't rotate freely then yes, definitely. Otherwise, change them if you can find replacements. At the very least, measure them up so you can keep an eye out for parts down the track, its not too hard to pull the box out later.

As far as changing your oil is concerned, it shouldn't really be necessary as a rule unless you've been driving through water or something. I only ever usually change steering box oil (I use 140/90W) when I have to pull the box out for some reason.

hey
thanks guys!
cheers
rhys

Are you saying that grease is no good for a steering box. The reason I ask is that mine (57) is full of a flouro light blue coloured grease. Have'nt seen grease like this before and assumed it was special steering box grease??? Am I wrong

Grease? That's an interesting thought. As far as I know all steering box's had oil, even my brother's '55 beetle. (I have '71, '74, '77 Kombi's). The only time I've seen fluro coloured grease is they now sell it for push bikes, but who knows you may have something special. At least it won't leak.

Fluoro blue sounds like it may be Marine Grease with water in it?

Casrol Marine Grease is a blue colour, not fluoro though!!

It doesn't seem to be affecting the way it works. It's not tight or lumpy in the operation. Maybe I'll pull it apart and replace the seals one day when I have nothing better to do.

I don't think it really matters what you use in simple steering boxes, but...

Steering boxes don't suffer from quite the same sort of heat and wear as a lot of other gears & bearings in the car. They do cop a fair bit of heavy impact and vibration though. So which works better under these conditions? (I don't know the answer):o

On http://www.shoptalkforums.com  ...

"According to Bentley, there used to be a "Liquid Grease" that VW used in the steering box."

From other comments this seems to only refer to early (pre '65?) boxes.:bounce

Rhys,

How did you go finding the steering box seal? I have the same problem and decided to just keep the oil topped up for now.

While I had the steering apart I also replaced the rubber steering coupling. It's worth checking as the rubber perishes and cracks.:puke

have been caught up in school work heaps of end of year tests for next year so i havent had a chance to check it out!
sorry dude i will tell u ASAP
cheers
rhys