Steering box play

Hi there , I've recently imported a 1974 westfalia bus from California , the steering has about an inch of free play , I've tried following instructions on how to worm it but the worm screw seems to do nothing , I back the nut off and turn the screw in or out but it doesn't seem to go in or out , would this mean its nackerd and need a new one , what is best to get mine re furb or just go for a new one , I've seen one on just kampers for £215 is this any good any advice would be much appreciated cheers

 

To start with i would have a look inside, pretty simple to get into, some good posts here, the seals and o rings are available on ebay

http://thelatebay.com/index.php?threads/steering-box-see-inside.24036/
http://thelatebay.com/index.php?threads/steering-box-seal-replacement.6260/

 

Can be ruddy tight. Try using a bit from an impact driver set on a ratchet to get it moving. Dont go mad.

 

Hi

Keith , thanks for the reply I'm trying to get the box off the bus this week , would it be obvious once the box is open ie damage or wear ,someone must have tried worming the box as the lock nut was wound back and oil was leaking from it thanks again paul

 

Hi there , thanks for reply , the screw bit does turn once the nut is backed off but it just turns and turns in any direction without moving in or out is this correct or is something broken inside maybe , sorry for sounding stupid but my Machanicly skills are like non at all lol trying my best as I've allways wanted a bus thanks again Paul

 

Sounds terminal. Thread 'Steering box banjaxed' has a good discussion about them. I m saving for a NOS and when in I m going to do a photo thread on the old ones innards. Be a while off yet

 

If there is no change in the visible length of the screw whatever is done then its likely that the thread in the casing is stripped. Should you decide to attack it just be aware that that screw cannot be removed from outside by unscrewing it, it has to be screwed in and removed from the other side of the cover plate.It has a floating pressure pad attached that is of a larger diameter and its this pad that bears against the end of the output shaft to give adjustment.

 

Thank

you for that as soon as I get it off the bus I will have a look , this sounds like what is happening but will I be able to repair or best to replace it ? , I would sooner keep the original vw one but if needs must maybe I could locate another vw one instead of these repro ones ? Ummm will have a think about this one thanks again paul

 

If it were me etc. ie a bit tight with money and prefering original I'd be inclined to dismantle it and fit an insert into the cover plate...Recoil or similar make if that thread is indeed stripped. Yet another option.

 

I'm liking this you are quite correct I'm tight with money too haha but sometimes it's more assle than its worth to try saving a few quid having said that I will have a look what I can do or get done once its off the bus thank you for that

 

Have a go at stripping the box, if you feel up to it. Couple of good how-tos on here. A properly re-done original box is going to be miles better than any "refurbished unit" which, as baysearcher says, are largely made of Gouda. They likely change the seals, give them a lick of paint and relieve you of £300 quid.

 

Hi guys , I managed to take the end off the box to reveal the threads were stripped as fritt suggested , I got it drilled and elecoiled , put it back together at the weekend did a bit of adjustments and seems ok no play yay , was wondering how much oil it takes to fill this , I got some from a schofields it was very thick so had to buy a syringe to suck it up and fill it with , thanks again guys

 

Fill up to the underside of the little filler hole.