Put the bus back on the road for 1st May having had a complete front steering and suspension overhaul (not the steering box or rubber coupling). It was driving like a circus clown car - took the advice of this forum and got the camber and tracking checked and adjusted. Better - but still driving a bit oddly .... sort of like it was on rails when I got over 45mph. Today I had a brainwave - check the tyre pressures. I found the backs were at 30psi and the fronts at 42psi. According to the manual the backs should be 40 - 46psi and the fronts at 30psi. Could this be the cause of scary steering ??? Haven't tried the van yet - but I am wondering if over inflated fronts and under inflated backs cauld be a contributory factor.
Yes. But it might not be that. Jack front up, turn steering full lock one way then the other counting the turns. Then turn halfway back and see if the wheels are pointing dead ahead - they should be. The steering box is tighter in the centre for about 1/16 steering wheel turn each way. Miss this and you're driving on a loose bit.
Zed - thanks for the reply. I did have a close look at the rubber coupling and the steering box last night. I suspect you are correct - the coupling has a couple of cracks in it and the steering box seems quite slack in the middle of it's range. Got a new orginal VW coupling on order from heritage, I have been looking at getting the steering box refurbed but can't find anyone - I assume that all the secondhand ones are as knackered as my unit being all around 35 - 40 years old.
Try setting up the drag link of the steering box , mine is the same and zed has pointed out how to sort it by setting the drag link up . Do as he says with turning the wheel and when it's centre on the box , adjust the drag link up to it . Take the drag link of the box first and keep the wheels strait . Made more sense when zed explained it lol
Thanks baybug, I changed the link as part of the o/h and measured the new one alongside the old one - however, it's worth checking that the steering box is centred again so I'll give it a go.
I've got to do mine after striping and rebuilding all the front , should be loads better now there is no play in anything
Well -everything looks great and is a tight as new since I did the ball joints, track rods, drag link, lowered by 65mm - oh and new calipers, hoses and hard brake lines. I hope I can sort the 'wandering' problem.
