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steering: HELP
peter87 - June 20th, 2012 at 05:58 PM

Hi,
I was driving a 71 super bug today and noticed that when you turn the steering wheel it wouldn't move until i turned in more than half way. I don't know how to really explain it but a normal steering wheel would have the arms sitting diagonally and when i let go they were sitting vertically so the steering wheel has shifted but not the wheels. Any ideas what the problem could be?

Thanks,

Peter

69bug - June 20th, 2012 at 07:20 PM

Remove the inspection plate and check for tightness on the steering box

68AutoBug - June 20th, 2012 at 08:33 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by peter87
Hi,
I was driving a 71 super bug today and noticed that when you turn the steering wheel it wouldn't move until i turned in more than half way. I don't know how to really explain it but a normal steering wheel would have the arms sitting diagonally and when i let go they were sitting vertically so the steering wheel has shifted but not the wheels. Any ideas what the problem could be?

Thanks,

Peter


I have just replaced My steering box and the clamp bolts etc
they had all been moving...
including the arm off the steering box.... which has deep grooves..

Not sure about the clamps etc on Super Bug...
but any clamps with bolts thru them, they have fine splines but any movement and the bolt wears...
so renew any bolts in clamps

Are You running a standard steering wheel???
as if that has been loosened... the fine splines in there can let go, but its not normal...

I had to take the fuel tank out to properly see all My stuff..
not sure with a superbug..

certainly sounds dangerous...
although Mine did move move the steering wheel vertical...

also make sure the steering box hasn't come adrift...

LEE

peter87 - June 20th, 2012 at 08:53 PM

It has the standard steering wheel, it only plays up sometimes, it doesn't affect the steering at all you just have to turn the wheel a little further. Might have to take a look at it on the weekend but i'm using it as my daily as my 07 corolla is in the crash shop.

68AutoBug - June 20th, 2012 at 08:58 PM

My beetle used to do it every time I went over a train crossing, after tightening all bolts on the steering shaft etc


it used to do it ONLY when turning to the LEFT at full lock...

I replaced all bolts and found some wear marks on the bolts..

some of the bolts go thru a coupler/clamp with a cut out so the bolt cannot go all the way around...
it can only go so far....

some have small splines which move very easily if the bolts are worn..

I don't think its the steering box itself....

Anyone on here with a SUPERBUG??

LEE

peter87 - June 20th, 2012 at 09:00 PM

it has just started and i go over rail lines on my way to work. I'll check the steering box because i really don't want to crash it lol

68AutoBug - June 20th, 2012 at 09:12 PM

the clamps on the steering shaft to the steering box
after all these years they get a bit of movement even though they are high tensile bolts...

they are nothing special apart from being 8.8 hi tensile so available just about anywhere...

it sounds like where the shaft has the cutout so the bolt can only move so far...
and its really tight but the shock from the train lines moves it...

the shaft has very tine fine splines which really do nothing...

taking the tank out is the hardest part..
I tried with the tank in but didn't succeed...

You can try... to tighten all the bolts..
but new bolts will fix the problem...
and new locking nuts

cheers

LEE

peter87 - June 20th, 2012 at 09:30 PM

cheers Lee. I'm in the process of restoring my 63 at the moment and the tank is a bit of a pain to get out. Hopefully before summer the resto is complete. I hate the gear box in the supers i feel more comfortable driving the 63 haha.