Stearing Box

[alsehendo]

Is the 412 string box unique or was it used in other VWs. I have not looked closely at mine to determine this, I thought I'd be lazy and just ask.

Ray

I want to lower the front level with the rear. I don't want to spend tons of time trying to find parts. Would you put together some sort of rebuild kit for me, (parts that should be changed). I would expect an adequate markup for your time and labor. I actual can do the work.

It tracks Ok and the struts even seem Ok but their is some massive play in the steering and I can't stand the fact that it looks like it's driving up hill.

I will be driving it in the winter to the ski hill so I don?t want to drop the whole car down on the pavement. The wagon is great for throwing the snowboards in the back and these cars go pretty good in the snow.

[raygreenwood]

Just got back into town. I am also working on parts layout for someone else. I am working on this very thing. The steering box is unique to the type 4. Short of an accident, its rare that anything goes out on it, except for the seal, which is a unique size. The seal is quite unstressed, as there is no pressure, so there are a couple of ways to go about it. The most complicated is to take the box out, pull the arm off, dissassemble the bottom half and have the outer seal seating area milled to a standar size about 1.5mm larger. The other way, is to get one slightly undersized...with the correct center ID and slide it on...and JB weld it in. That would be good for another 20 years or so. It simply needs to be cleaned out, have the oil changed and be readjusted. The parts that are making your handling bad are commonly the centerlink, the ider bushing and the strut bushing/bearing. All are available, but have stock defects of sorts. The idler bush is way too soft. Get the last model of the super beetle bushing which is solid bronze. Presses right in....perfect. I am having a new set of bushes made right now to rebuild the center links. Let you know how they work. Cheap....and it gets rid of the teh wander. Most all center links over 10 years are shot. New ones are available...but about $175. The stock strut bushingsare generally bad and there is only one way to inspect. If you have a 412 with the assymettrical bolt pattern, just get new inserts for the bushing and bearing for a fox...about $25 per side. Same part works great. More later. Ray

[alsehendo]

Sounds good, if you could get my center links rebuilt and supply some modified struts to lower the front end to level. I would be willing to purchase this stuf from you.

I think I have a 412 cluch disk sombody gave me also, if your in need of such a thing.

[raygreenwood]

Someone else is looking for the same things from me. I am also working on my own, so some of these parts wil coincide with my own visit to themachine shop. I have done all of the drawings and measurements. If i can get several sets done at one time, I can offer rebuild kits for these front ends. They will mainly consist of the idler bushing replacement, the bushings for the centrlink rebuild (its easy you just need the bushings), the new control arm bushings (done) the radius arm bushings (done) the centering rings (done), the gasket sets for adding the grease fittings to existing ball joints (done), and a parts list of the few basic parts that are easily available so you can just snap it together. Those include: front cartridge #'s (got em), rear shock #'s (got em), from strut bushing cross matches (got em) front strut bearing cross matches (got em).
The last two parts are the extension/adapter pieces for the strut tubes that will screw on and need a single tack weld, and a steering box seal and adapter(almost done). This will allow you to do a simple standard strut cartridge replacement with new cartridges and slide on the adapter...tack weld it, then put on the spring and bushing. The most difficult part will be (for 411 and early 412 owners) to drill twp extra holes to use the late 412 strut mount. Sorry...but its gotta be that way. Its superior to the old, and is the only one avaialable without having to change to a system from a totally differnt vehicle which would upset a lot of things. Ray

[alsehendo]

Sonds good, let ne know ill send the cash!

You don't have to have the parts done and ready to ship. Take your time gathering parts. You can hang onto the money for whater time it takes.