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Topic: Steering  (Read 2710 times)

Offline oldskoolkidmt

  • Chattanooga
  • Joined: Feb 2010
  • Posts: 18

Steering

« on: October 04, 2010, 09:42:53 AM »
The steering on my '71 Westy went out last week. The old girl can't really turn left and the steering wheel doesn't reset to normal east/west position. You guys have any idea what the problem is, how hard to fix, and how long it'll take. Any help is greatly aprreciated she's my daily driver and the lady doesn't like having to chauffeur me around.

Thx

Offline travisyoung

Re: Steering

« Reply #1 on: October 04, 2010, 10:20:00 AM »
my buddy's 70 is doing the same thing,  i not sure what is wrong but curious to see the responses

Offline ASBug

  • Varnel, Ga
  • Joined: Jan 2008
  • Posts: 3032

Re: Steering

« Reply #2 on: October 04, 2010, 12:32:20 PM »
I'd check the obvious, like the round rubber disk that ties the steering wheel to the steering box.
If it is torn it would give you the aforementioned problems.
It is 40 years old...
KC

Offline certdubtech

  • In the Garage...
  • Joined: May 2006
  • Posts: 3199

Re: Steering

« Reply #3 on: October 04, 2010, 12:55:24 PM »
70 Bus... no rubber disc.

Check the fluid level in the steering gearbox, take the weight off the front end.  try to turn the wheels, you may have a center pin that's in a bind, or i hve seen some broken or bent steering stabilizers that get in a bind....

Offline ASBug

  • Varnel, Ga
  • Joined: Jan 2008
  • Posts: 3032

Re: Steering

« Reply #4 on: October 04, 2010, 05:50:23 PM »
When did they use the disk?
I removed the steering column out of a late 60's early 70's bay for use in the '70 westie I used and it had a rubber disk ( I had to cut it with a chisel...), I never used it on the 70, but I think mine did as well....
-not arguing just sayin'.
KC

Offline oldskoolkidmt

  • Chattanooga
  • Joined: Feb 2010
  • Posts: 18

Re: Steering

« Reply #5 on: October 05, 2010, 08:15:44 AM »
Thanks guys I'll try all of those (even the rubber disk) ;) Once it's diagnosed I'm sure I'll have more questions. Thanks again

Offline certdubtech

  • In the Garage...
  • Joined: May 2006
  • Posts: 3199

Re: Steering

« Reply #6 on: October 05, 2010, 08:30:23 AM »
When did they use the disk?
I removed the steering column out of a late 60's early 70's bay for use in the '70 westie I used and it had a rubber disk ( I had to cut it with a chisel...), I never used it on the 70, but I think mine did as well....
-not arguing just sayin'.
KC

Sorry, my bad, i thought you were talking about a steering coupler like on a beetle.   :-[

Offline certdubtech

  • In the Garage...
  • Joined: May 2006
  • Posts: 3199

Re: Steering

« Reply #7 on: October 15, 2010, 08:26:31 AM »
Got the pics, Mike, sent you an email. 

In case you had any doubt whatsoever..... DO NOT DRIVE IT.   ;)

Offline oldskoolkidmt

  • Chattanooga
  • Joined: Feb 2010
  • Posts: 18

Re: Steering

« Reply #8 on: October 24, 2010, 11:32:03 AM »
Driving not an option anyways I can't turn it to get it out of the driveway hehe. Just waiting on what you think I need to do to get it on the road again.

martyd8815

Re: Steering

« Reply #9 on: December 09, 2010, 11:20:40 PM »
Fluid will make a big difference.  This is the first thing that I would check.  If the weather is extremely cold, the fluid can also freeze.  You might want to keep this in mind for those cold winter months.  Best of luck to you.

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