I need a little help to find out what I should be looking at with a steering play issue I have on my S Beetle.
When the wheels are straight ahead there is no play in the steering,the wheels move as soon as the steering wheel does. However, at half and full lock in both directions there is about two inches of play in the steering wheel before the wheels move. The front end got new rubbers and tie rod ends a year ago. I dont know if this issue have devoloped over time or I just had not noticed it untill now. I dont know the history of the steering box but in a straight line its solid.lol.

Cheers, Brad.

Messing around with it today I noticed at half lock it is about half the play as when it is at full lock. I have been reading up on steering box adjusting and if it was a steering box issue would it show play when the wheels are straight as well?

have you had a read here

http://www.vw-resource.com/steering_box_adjustment.html 

What about the uni joint above the box??

Ah, Rob and Daves, always forget to visit there. Thanks!
Time to get my hands dirty.

Hi

There is always a small amount of play off centre, that's why rack cars are so good. The most important thing to do with a super is to make sure that the steering box is centred when the wheels are pointing straight ahead.

To check this there is a M8 thread in the pitman arm, wind a M8 tap (with a pointy end) into this hole, there is centre punch mark on the steering box body that must line up in the straight ahead position.

Steve

Thanks Steve, I will do that and see where its at.