Any ideas why this might be happening??

Have studied my manuals and can't find an answer

Hear a rubbing noise when I turn the steering wheel hard when backing

My 67 used to do that,too much play in something allowing more movement than its spose too,hows that for technical response,

Hmmm! Unlike some fine specimens of British motoring, VW's have no external "stop" adjustment to limit how far the steering can be turned- I guess it must be in the steering box and is non-adjustable?? Perhaps over the years it has been "worn" so that you can push it too far in one direction- if so, it's no big deal provided that's the reason. I'd make sure all the front end mounts are tight to be safe. I hope there are no "clonks" when you brake!
If any of the "connectors" (Tie rod ends) are worn, then that may make the steering go too far also. Is there much free-play in the steering when you jiggle it L to R quickly? Any noises from the front end when you do?
Another possibility is that the toe-in might need adjustment.
But if you're running oversize tyres, all bets are off!

My stock '66 bug does it, it has 165 tyres on the front, that is all it takes. Its always done it, nothing to worry about.
Ball joint beetles have adjustable stops, but not the king and link models

Jen

You need to centre the steering box up correctly, as over the years its probably been fiddled with a few times. the tie rods replaced etc etc

Make sure the King and links are good condition.

remove the fuel tank so you can get at the tie rods and remove them.

Turn the steering box lock to lock and mark it so you can see how many turns it does usually 3 1/2. turn the steering box so that it centres so it would only take 1 3/4 turn either way to get full lock.

align the front wheels with a piece of string from the back wheels so that there both pointing straight ahead.

then wind in all of the tie rod ends into the shafts and mark them full in. removing and greasing the threads will also help and make the turning easier.

then wind each one out say 10 turns evenly on each end of each rod.

try fitting them into the steering arm and wheel arm if they don’t fit keep turning each rod one turn until they do but make sure you do same to the other end. Don’t move the front wheels or the steering box, while your doing this.

this will centre you steering correctly until you can get a wheel alignment.

The above is done presuming that the front end is not bent and in good condition.

The same procedure can be done with any car.

you can do that before work on monday

Ummm.... just coat the tyres in KY Jen

Much easier !!

Jen

Surely u know someone who might be able to do that little job for you

Starts with an L
kiss

Dave,
Whilst restoring My Beetle, everything was dismantled including all the front steering etc.... steering wheel etc... and all new tie rod ends and ball joints fitted.
I have done the toe in with the wheels and with the steering box in the centre (!) position... everything is OK... BUT when I turn full lock either side I don't know if its correct or not... So it looks like I will have to do what You suggest....
thanks a lot Dave..... I really didn't want to do that..... Lee
___
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(o\ /o)

loose or worn King & Link pins would be my guess.

Dave, L is no longer....

Finding that having a VW BF does not mean you'll keep your rides on the road any better (not my intention), seems to work in reverse. Dr L is over due for a service which I've only just noticed, too distracted before and didn't realise how many miles I'd done:jesus

Trying to get Bel and Dr L back on track again. Bel in particular as she has been wasting in the drive all year nearly (gennie probs), not good at all

L did tell me he thought he knew what the prob was, and that it was an easy one to fix. What????

Was going to take Bel to MC in Bayswater to be fixed 2 mths ago and was trying to tell him about the wheel prob then, plus I like to be able to understand it all myself, if not fix it

Had the steering box replaced last year, so does it still count as a possible cause???

OK there was definite clunking when I drove sometimes/a lot, and at times I thought something might break???

If there is a clunk in the front then I would be suspecting the King and Link pins. May just need to be adjusted. Pretty simple job , adjusting the Link Pins that is. If the King Pins are worn then the parts have to be removed and new King Pins put in. Thats not a simple job. Has to be done by a VW specialist.

Centering the steering is the most important thing on any car... Its a bit time consuming but make the adjusting easier and equal when doing the wheel alignment

Geez I thought I'd had all this done latish last year:jesus

Dr L is my priority now, his service as he is running like a chaff cutter. But all the time planning to get Bel back out there ASAP so we can cruise:thumb

Cheers and thanks guys

Hi Jen

There are 3 bolts in that hold the backing plate on the front brakes to the stub axle, one is longer, this acts as a lock stop to stop the wheel turning to far, maybe its in the wrong hole.

1302Steve

I'll look for this in my manual diagram to see which hole, and check it out tomorrow:thumb

and have Michael check out the steering when I get Bel back to him:thumb

Would perished bushings on the king pin carrier cause rubbing on the inside wall? Think that might be the possible problem?