Hi,

I was wondering if anyone has fitted a later model collapsible steering shaft to an earlier bug (58). From reading stuff on other sites there are horn issues and spline issue for the steering wheel. Do people know of any others and what year did bugs come fitted with them in Australia?

Figured while the car is pulled apart now would be the time to make any changes?

thanks

They were standard on 68 onwards bugs, and the 72 onwards steering wheel have a collapsible hub too.

If you want to keep the old batwing steering wheel you'll have trouble but I would assume if you are fitting a late model column you are not too worried about being original?

the electrical is very different as is the mounts to the bottom of the dash but the big problem would be whether the collapsible section fits through the hole in the bulkhead of a 58.

I was hoping to keep the steering wheel. Can you get away with a cut and weld job so only the collapsible part is really added... That's if it fits through

You probably could but I wouldn't recommend it.

In the event of a major prang and crash investigation get involved it would come to light and that is the sort of thing insurance companies wipe people like a dirty arse over

They love taking your money but when it comes to giving it back they look for any reason to get out of it.

you could weld the steering column if the weld has been x-rayed and engineer approved.

I fitted one to my Oval, but couldnt stop it rubbing on the fuel tank- no matter what i tried with adjustments - so took it out and used it in my Drag Car

didn't think about the fuel tank.. thanks for that info

Maybe that is the car, I have had them fitted to two early beetle without a issue.

I fitted the complete column to the early cars that I had over the time as I was not concerned about originality, I had to modify the top mounting but that was it, it cleared the tank, but both cars were early 60 models, if the collapsible section has a slight run out it could hit the tank, you can straighten it if it runs out slightly, if it has to much run out get a better one , if you want to keep your original wheel you would have to make one column out of two along with the required engineering, you could then keep your wheel and column. if the car is apart see if you can borrow one and trial fit it.

The tanks not really an issue as this can be easily clearanced.

So an idea for you on the column.

If the shaft is thicker than the old 58 shaft then using a different upper bearing could solve that. Then a machine/engineering shop should be able to re-spline the steering wheel end if the spline diameter is smaller than the later shaft.

Electrically, so long as the outer tube is isolated from the body then the horn should be an issue.

As for the collapsible cage itself. You'll need to measure the body aperture for the outer column minus any rubber seal. Otherwise take all the body mount bolts out and undo the rear ones to give a few mm of lift and then you can tip the body back on the rear mounts. Then the shaft slides in from under the body.

Where there's a will there's a way

ust fit the whole '68 column complete. That way you get the ignition on the column, a better indicator mech and a much neater finish. Just chuck a cig lighter were the old ignition switch was (can use it to change stuff while driving.) Did it on my 59 bitsa. My2c

Thanks for those suggestions.