Steering Box Bracket

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Bad Bob
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Joined: Wed Nov 12, 2014 10:47 pm

Steering Box Bracket

Post by Bad Bob »

I'm sure everybody recognizes this bracket that holds the steering box to front beam. I've never noticed the arrows and numbers on it. Does anybody know what they mean? My guess is , since it changes the angle of the steering shaft , is one number is for a Ghia, the other for a Beetle.
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Bruce.m
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Re: Steering Box Bracket

Post by Bruce.m »

Correct
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SCOTTRODS
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Re: Steering Box Bracket

Post by SCOTTRODS »

So which is which, Bruce?
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Bruce.m
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Re: Steering Box Bracket

Post by Bruce.m »

The shallower steering angle is for the ghia & taller is bug.
Bug is roughly 25 degrees from flat (shaft for steering column). The Bentley manual explains the correct numbering but that is out of reach at this minute.
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Marc
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Re: Steering Box Bracket

Post by Marc »

Orient the clamp so that the little arrow next to the applicable vehicle type points towards the front bumper. I've noticed that the indexing lugs on Brazilian beams can be off by quite a bit, so sometimes it's necessary to open up the notch (or file away one side of the lug) until the input shaft of the box aligns properly with the column.
Adding caster shims also leans the box back, affecting alignment. You can make minor corrections by unequal threading of the clamp bolts, but if the "rag joint" still needs to flex as the column rotates you'll want to file the notch or the lug some.
Since "rolling" the box on the beam also moves the Pitman arm up or down in relation to the steering arms of the spindles, toe-in should always be checked after altering its position.
Bad Bob
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Re: Steering Box Bracket

Post by Bad Bob »

Just by eyeballing it, the " 14 " looks to be for the Beetle. As Marc mentioned about the change in angle with caster shims, I won't be tightening everything until I put the body on and can line up the steering shaft.
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Marc
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Re: Steering Box Bracket

Post by Marc »

Bad Bob wrote:Just by eyeballing it, the " 14 " looks to be for the Beetle. As Marc mentioned about the change in angle with caster shims, I won't be tightening everything until I put the body on and can line up the steering shaft.
Karmann Ghia is Type 14, you want the arrow at the "13" facing forward for a Beetle....unless it's a Brazilian-made beam, then all bets are off ;)
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