After spotting this earlier I’m in the market for a replacement, I’ve read up and the skf branded one is apparently the best? Can someone enlighten me as to the best quality one to buy and where from? All the major players list them for sale but want this to last and not be a cheap Chinese copy Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
I agree, ebay is full of cheap rubbish ones. Take your time and source a vw one, which will not twist in your hands like the cheap ones do. At the same time you will be needing new bolts, nuts and washers (which VW Heritage sell). Bear in mind that rubber donut must be strong and not twist when you turn the steering wheel. If it splits and gives way, you will have no steering at all.
Unless you find someone with old stock you can’t buy a new VW coupling because they stopped supplying them as of 1st May 2013. However, VW never manufactured these couplings they were a bought in item from SGF (not SKF) supplied with a VW logo. Custom and Commercial used to supply the SGF couplings, don’t know if they still do. It’s SGF part number GLV-103.
If you install the coupling with the bolts facing down (as per the pic up there^) even if the coupling fails completely you’ll still have steering, albeit with a lot of play.
I fitted one of the SGF ones 4 years ago and still looks perfect with no distortion or cracking. marks on it are SGF GLV 103 and on the other side VW Germany 211 415 417 20583/0 A UJ must be available, I am wondering if the power steering upgrade uses a Universal Joint .
But a UJ would short the horn out. Plus it would have nowhere to fit without a lot of hackery. All that magic rubber is really a punched out reonforced piece of conveyor belt. Although the original is better made.
Not on a late, late Bay. And it fits without any hacking, it just replaces the rubber joint – but it does need the Litesteer column or a modification to the standard column.
I suspect a lot of the cracks caused be vertical axis movement actually happens when people bang seven bells of crap out if the steering wheel trying to get it off.
Yes Litesteer IS hackery. Both of these mods require cutting bits off the column. TBH dont see the joy in a blobby bodge motor at knee level.
A week ago I centered the steering box, adjusted the box, I have a new genuine donut (well 18 months old ), re centered the steering wheel. Just been away for the week and its been a pleasure
My point was that a u/j could be fitted very easily to a late, late bay, it does not short the horn out and where it fits requires no hacking. The column would need a simple mod, the coupling removed from the steering box and replaced by a u/j. Litesteer EPAS is supplied with a new column, the original one is removed but I agree there is a motor at about knee height – I have a parcel shelf at the same height too.
