NOS LHD Steering box

I have a knackered steering box, kind of suspected something was up. Got it off and it's been overtightened, overshimmed, machined to a millimetre of it's life, but this cowboy refurbishment passed someone's MOT!

Anyone doing NOS steering boxes?

Hi!

Nope, no NOS, though rarely you may see one come up for sale on perhaps thesamba.com, it'll fetch a high price!

AFAIK, none of the parts are available to refurb, any repair kit is obsolete, I did kick myself for not buying a repair kit when i saw one last year, the buyer had a picture of a pile stacked high, but it was dear, and i had money in something else.

I think most so called refurb boxes are just a variety of other equally poor boxes with all the best bits slung together tightened up and filled with grease. Unless someone can say otherwise.....

There was a thread on here about machineing the pin a little, but as to long term longevity if the pin is specially case hardened is anyones guess, but I'm sure a suitable good 2nd hand one could well be machined and redone to a reasonable end result. Assuming they have the correct tools to set torques and all that.

My box is worn, still pass a mot, doesn't wander but has play, i have a good 2nd hand one from one of our Dutch friends. If this proves to be unsuitable after some time, there is a conversion which was covered in another thread, to fit a late bay box, which are readilly available, but this does require a little hole cutting and welding, but if the only other option is a crap refurb, well!

If you do find a NOS box, best buy whatever you can, and save me one please!

I'm on a works pc, so haven't got my list of links to hand, but the search function will find what you need.

Cheers,

Alistair

I think the guy on here who works for vw Heritage is asking for steering boxes looks like they might be up to something with new boxes or refurbing them
cheers shaun

WHS, I rememeber that now. If the internals are re-machined and resleeved, adjusted, good to go. In the meanwhile, have a look here about refurb quality:

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=520877&highlight=steering+peg" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Here's one for sale, a recon? in USA

http://www.ebay.com/itm/vw-Bus-steering-box-68-72-Type-IV-Kombi-Type-II-Type-2-/321045383345?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item4abfcbc8b1&vxp=mtr" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Cheers,

Alistair

I machined the peg on mine. Done about 6k now with no issues so far (touch wood!)

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My steering box was worn , so i looked at the options and went for a brand new late bay box , easy to fit , i will post in technical later how we did this .
http://www.justkampers.com/vw-t2-bay-window-parts/t2-bay-front-suspension-steering-wheel-bearings/steering-box-components/211-415-049-h-steering-box-for-t2-bay-august-1972-may-1979-lefthand-drive.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I was going to post some photos of the machine work, but that would have made the thread 'technical' unless a mod wants to move this across?

Here are the best options so far for anyone facing the same problem:

(Link reference)

Late Bay conversion:

http://www.justkampers.com/vw-t2-bay-window-parts/t2-bay-front-suspension-steering-wheel-bearings/steering-box-components/211-415-049-h-steering-box-for-t2-bay-august-1972-may-1979-lefthand-drive.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

http://forum.earlybay.com/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=53236" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Bedford Rascal conversion... new/ reconditioned:

http://www.vwjim.co.uk/ourshop/prod_1909239-Rascal-Steering-Rack-LHD.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/VW-T2-Rascal-steering-rack-conversion-Split-Bay-/111138054413?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item19e058210d" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://forum.earlybay.com/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=15958&hilit=rascal+idler" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://www.vwkd.com/bb/viewtopic.php?t=278&sid=40ceff8786eda91b97c5f5a1ddd258bb" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

or the easiest and is to try and find a good reconditioned early bay steering box.

Anyone do an idler arm for the rascal conversion? Rascal conversion kit and fitting service VWJim?

Hi, would anyone rate the rebuilds at midland bay? My box is worn and desperate to keep her on the road. Apparently they offer a rebuild, and seem to be manufacturing new worms as well. Any thoughts/ reviews?

Hi, would anyone rate the rebuilds at midland bay? My box is worn and desperate to keep her on the road. Apparently they offer a rebuild, and seem to be manufacturing new worms as well. Any thoughts/ reviews?

Graham at Midland Early Bay is about the person in the universe that you can take your steering box too now days. Unless you re happy with the aforementioned results. I can’t vouch personally because I’ve not had one from him however I’ve not heard a single bad vibe about his work, his workshops etc. If there was two or three places doing recond boxes I’d still recommend Graham, mainly because I know that he is totally into it. I know he’s invested fairly heavily into sorting out these steering boxes, :mrgreen:

Ozziedog,,,,,,,,that’s where I’ll head when I need one :mrgreen: