Hi all, im trying to get my type 1 ready for dubs by the pub but just getting it back on the raod was a mission and have found i have a heap of play in the steering, ive tryed to tighten the nut on the steering but but it is wound all the way in, the ball joints appear to be tight so i dont think its that, there is about 15* of play, is that normal or should i get a new box/re build mine and whats my best option?
You can tighten the free play with the wheels straight ahead
under the round piece of black metal behind the spare wheel..
undo the lock nut and tighten the screw with a large screwdriver
don't do it up too tight or You won't be able to turn the steering wheel...
also under the steering box You will see a large hexagon plug...
I have read that You can also tighten the steering box play by adjusting that also.... I haven't tried that Myself...
also check the rubber round piece up from the steering box
and the splined clamps on either side...
either of those could be loose...
and causing Your problem...
cheers
LEE
The info I supplied is for a NON Super beetle....
if You have a super Beetle then the steering box is probably worn out.... as they do wear out...
what year beetle do you have???
1968 - 1974 ??
LEE
its a 66, i have tryed the one on top and it has no adjustment lefy in it...... will look for the one on the under side.
Are you handy???
Take it out and pull it down only a few moving parts. I have done this twice now and the box feels brand new when back together. The box is filled
with a mixture of oils/greases depending on who you speak to but i have filled mine with wheel bearing grease and found it to be smooth as silk on the
car. Takes a while and needs a little bit of thought, but when you understand it, it is really sinple. I have not undone the one lee is talking about.
I think when i was researching the last time others said not to touch that one.
1. Take it off Car
2. Remove pitman arm
3. Remove top cover
4. remove worm/roller pin/shaft
5. Clean out all grease
6. Re grease and re pack
refit lid with the adjustment screw turned all the way out
wind in while turning back and forth feeling for the touch/ bind
7. Once you get close you will need to go back and forth until you feel a nice tight box with full movement but no slop.
8. Fit back on car adjust if necessary.
I believe there is a set sequence for tightening the steering box but cannot remember it sorry. If you do this and replace your steering donut too.
Your stering should be awesome. Remember you are only as good as the sum of all parts. You have others like ball joints, tierod ends, steeting shock
absorber.
Good luck
what is a steering doughnut????
so, all You did was clean and fill with grease??
Lithium based Moly grease...?
a new steering damper makes a difference too..
LEE
yeah clean and fill. A steering donut the circle thing that mounts the strreing shaft to the s box
i have thought that it may be a worn shaft in the box as the adjustment is all the way in, a place that re dose steering boxs quoted me 250 today so ill try anything first.
once you open it up I'm sure you'll find it ok. Remember to be. Careful with the top gasket so you can reuse it
If the worm and sector is worn no amount of grease will remove the wear, if it is out of adjustment that's about it, you could try backing the adjuster all the way out and then try and adjust it with the wheels in the straight ahead position.
I had a heap of play in my steering box, pulled it down replaced grease and spent plenty of time
adjusting both the screw on top and the large grub screw. It ended up feeling pretty good at the end.
Handy hint- I found an old bolt in the shed that had a hex head the same size as the inhex of the bottom adjuster
grabbed the threaded part with vice grips and viola cheap ass allen key! .
Give it a go you have nothing to lose but time.
well, as an update, pulled tho box down and the shaft was worn out, tryed filling it with fresh grease but didnt help, so i get a second hand box off
one of the blokes from here, and its great now. i wont make it to dubs at the pub by the look of it 
as on a test drive it took a dive and ripped out the radiator 
(i have a subaru motor in it hence the radiator) and i dont have the funds or time to get it fixed in time.....
A question on the steering box, does anyone know what size bolt fits into the adjusting hex nut?