Shaft diameter and spline count of a stock bug steering box

[Ol'fogasaurus]

I need to know the worm gear diameter and spline count of a stock VW steering. I need to come up with some kind of universal in order to raise the column up a bit.

Lee

[DWP]

I have never used on but I think a super beetle universal will work.
Other people have used http://www.borgeson.com/
DWP

[Ol'fogasaurus]

No, neither the SB nor the Rabbit universals will work, we tried it today. Both of their universal connectors (both ends) are for different diameter worm gear/pinion shafts which are bigger is diameter plus they have much coarser splines. Thanks though.

Lee

[Lotrat]

16mm diameter, 62 splines.

They are fine splines. I had to recount 5-6 times because I kept loosing count. The mating clamp has very shallow ridges in it.

[Ol'fogasaurus]

Thank you very much for the effort and the damage to your young eyes. I knew it was a fine count, but not that many. Now I have to figure out what or how to come up with a universal that will fit the “16mm diameter, 62 splines” you measured and the steering shaft in the other end.

The only other way we could figure out how to raise the steering wheel was to continue to notch the steering box to tip it a bit more. Not ruling it out but a last resort thing to do.

Lee

[Chris V]

16mm is essentially 5/8"...easy enough to find a steering column weld-on heim that size at a hotrod or racecar shop...

[Lotrat]

Are you sure the super beetle u-joint won't work? I've seen it done a few times.



I think CopperBaja has one too:

[Ol'fogasaurus]

I went up to my local VW repair/parts house and he pulled a shaft from a SB then pulled a new steering Bug steering box from his shelves and the SB universal piece was too big at either end to fit on the bug steering box. I also have a rabbit double universal and it seems to be the same universal as the SB unit. I seem to remember that there is a difference between an early and late SB, could that make a difference?

Lee

[kyle_pc_75]

From Neanders build:

So I got my steering coupler mocked up today. I had to do something to account for the 3-inch body lift, and my goal is to stay as close to factory as possible on the steering column. I picked up a SB r/p coupler for $20, and found that the yoke fits quite nicely on the steering box shaft. I then cut the webbing off my steering shaft, and slid a 5/8 rod into the steering shaft, and the end fit into the other yoke on the steering coupler. I ground a small notch in it to accommodate the clamp bolt, and it all bolts up fine. I still want to get a bearing or bushing on the lower end of the steering shaft, and then I'll tack and weld the rod to the shaft. I am rather pleased with how it turned out!



Kyle

[Ol'fogasaurus]

Thank you. I will have to figure out where I can get one.

As far as the secondary bearing goes, years ago I found a oil impregnated bushing with the right size hole in it and very close to the right size outside diameter to it. I can turn it down to the proper outside diameter to match the steering column and the flat spot it has on one side can be used with along with a grub nut and jam bolt (or two) to hold it in place in the steering shaft tube. I've had it for so long all I remember a part number but it came from a NAPA store.

Lee

[DWP]

another idea would be to look around
http://www.volksrods.com/index.htm
with moving the beam forward somebody there has to know how to do it.
DWP

[Marvel]

Am I right in saying that a Super Beetle steering UJ spline is the same as an early Beetle steering box? I've just bought a UJ and the splines are much coarser and bigger diameter than the steering box spline. I think there are two types but they only had one at GSF so maybe I got the wrong one?
Cheers, Marvel

[Ol'fogasaurus]

I ran into the same problem. I also have one sitting around that I haven't found a use for.

Lee

[DWP]

I just went out in the shop and put a SB universal the i got used on my 74 type 1 steering box.
It was a little loose until i Tighten the bolts. When i look at the piece i took of that thr rag joint bolts to there was not a lot of splines left. using a ruler , can't find my calipers there looks to be a 1 mm difference.
DWP

[Marvel]

That's the same as mine but looking at the pics of Neanders set-up it looks like the UJ clamps onto the steering box ok. I tried fitting a shim between the shaft and the UJ and there wasn't enough clearance for it but too much for it to clamp onto the shaft properly.