Heya all, recently became the proud owner of my first beetle a 71 superbug in pretty decent condition. I have had a bit of fun replacing some of the necessities like ball joints and a pretty grindy wheel bearing but I have been unable to source a decentish steering box to replace the existing one which I dont think has a lot of life left in it. If anyone has one they would like to sell please let me know.
Regards, Daniel

First off - Welcome

Second - good luck with the steering box

RHD super steering boxes are hard to come by

You "can" get rebuild kits but getting a good machinist is just as hard

Talk to Super friendly VW mechanics (as opposed to Standard VW mechanics) like V Force in Mortlake NSW

The steeing box you are after is unique to late 1971 1302's till early 1974 1303's - and there are 2 sorts. Thick shaft and later thin. Yours will be the early thicker one

Now - it is also unusual for steering boxes to go

What makes you think yours is dead??
They do have adjustment and the double universal that joins the steering colum to the steering box is more likely to have play in it

Anyway - ask away
We are here to help ya

Barry

Imight have what your looking for.

Give me to the weekend i,ll check

Cheers Col

Thanks Col and Barry,
Col that would be most excelent if you have one.
Barry I got our mobile mechanic to look over the car for me to give me some pointers on things which needed replacing as the drive home was a little scarey along with a wheel bearing, ball joint and rear brake drum which he pointed out (I have since replaced making the drive much more enjoyable) he said the steering box was leaking and the steering has a fair bit too much free play in it still. Though if this is just the double universal joints then maybe that would be easier to source.

Thanks again guys.

My L bug had the same symptoms and after not finding a good replacement I re-built it with a kit, was expensive but spot on after, found the two uni joints were okay, mainly worn worm drive and shot bearings/seals. It was easy to do.

mate, where are you located? Taslk to STIDUB, he rebuilt his not long ago..

I'm near Maleny (sunshine coast hinterland) wheres STIDUB located?

Brisbane. He is pretty busy with his subaru super but he is a good chap, so send him a pm and see if he can help you out.

im here, & i dont think you can PM till you have 5 posts?

i rebuilt my own this is true, you need a few tools made up to do it but its not all that difficult if you have the right gear & patience, the only thing is im yet to find anywhere that has the plugs to stop the grease coming back out & the ally cover on it isnt very forgiving(cracked the first one- sorted it out now though)

didnt cost much either - well in comparison to the $880 they were asking for on ebay for new ones

The kit was from V-Force (the guys to see if you want the good bits for supers for handling/braking)

Hi

If it has play in it, it could just need adjusting, the oil leak wont hurt it, just keep it topped up, I like a mixture of wheel bearing grease & STP.

If the coupling is gone you get a noticeable tight spot in the same spot every turn

When you adjust it you need to have a feel for up & down play in the vertical shaft that the pitman arm is attached to, to make sure its pointing straight ahead, get a 8mm tap and wind it into the 8 mm threaded hole in the pitman arm, wind it in and the point on the tap should line up mark on the steering box housing.

If the steering is off centre this can be corrected when the car is wheel aligned, the steering box not being in the straight ahead position can cause excessive play, there is a high spot in the straight ahead position, go off this and you get play.

In the straight ahead position you should just be able to feel the very slightest up and down movement and I mean slight.

Steve

Ah thanks I just saw myself deep in the bonnet with a printout of this thread in one hand scratching my head with the other

pm sent

Cool thanks rang the shop will try again tomorrow.