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Steering

Hi all! The steering on my 73 beetle is causing me some concern. As I steer the car I can feel something "catch" and then release several times accompanied by a grinding or popping sound. At first it was very occasional but it has grown much louder and noticeable, even at speeds where the steering effort is greatly reduced. Sometimes, when going around a mild curve, an abnormal effort will be required to get the steering to "pop" back to straight. The steering box looks great as far as my moderately trained eyes can tell and I know that the PO replaced it, but I don't yet know enough to come to any conclusions. Time to hit the manuals! Any ideas would be greatly appreciated!! Thanks!

Stevie

Reply to
Stevie G
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Sounds like the steering box needs lubrication and/or adjustment. Don't know how excactly, since i'm not up to date with a '73 but some here are very much......

hth Roger

Reply to
bug '59

'73 Std or Super??

Jack the frt end off the ground and see how the steering feels to turn. Then, grab each wheel and turn the steering thru full range.

Reply to
Speedy Jim

could be a number of things, some steering shafts have unservicable ujoints. Your symptoms sound like it could be that...happened with my Jeep YJ.

And if thats the case STOP DRIVING IT. Can you imagine having no steering at speed?

Reply to
Pi-Eyed Piper

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Reply to
Pi-Eyed Piper

Keep in mind that a standard Beetle's steering will not recenter the same way as any modern car. However, it should not require abnormal effort, and it certainly shouldn't be acting up at speed.

Check all four tie rod ends and make sure they all have good rubber boots. Check the steering shaft where it goes through the firewall for oddities.

Really sounds like the steering box needs to be adjusted. Time to hit the manuals indeed...I've never adjusted one before.

Reply to
Anthony

Oh yeah....it could also be a busted steering damper. It's a shock absorber attached to the steering arm and it lives under the gas tank.

Reply to
Anthony

Whoops...forgot something else >_<

As speedy jim suggested, got the front of the car in the air and grab the tire and turn it through the full steering range (turn the ingnition to ON to disable the steering lock) and listen for your sounds. If you hear them, try to figure out where they are coming from.

It could also be the balljoints in the trailing arms. They have to rotate for the steering as well as provide suspension action. If they are going bad, they could easily cause this problem.

Reply to
Anthony

Just on a quick read, I'd say the steering box that the last guy put on is no longer any good. other things can occur, but this sounds very familiar to me.

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MUADIB®

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Reply to
MUADIB®

The fact that he says it's binding made me think shaft, im only learning beetles right now, dont know the "nuances" between Jeeps and Beetles :)

Reply to
Pi-Eyed Piper

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