1978 Bus creaky steering

Moderators: Sluggo, Amskeptic

Post Reply
User avatar
khargis
Getting Hooked!
Location: Boise, ID
Status: Offline

1978 Bus creaky steering

Post by khargis » Sun Jul 29, 2012 4:42 pm

hey folks, i recently had my steering box replaced and whenever i turn the wheel, its sounds like an old creaky door opening and closing. any thoughts? can i lubricate this on my own? thanks, kris
'slow n' steady'

User avatar
Amskeptic
IAC "Help Desk"
IAC "Help Desk"
Status: Offline

Re: 1978 Bus creaky steering

Post by Amskeptic » Mon Jul 30, 2012 7:56 am

khargis wrote:hey folks, i recently had my steering box replaced and whenever i turn the wheel, its sounds like an old creaky door opening and closing. any thoughts? can i lubricate this on my own? thanks, kris
Get under the bus while someone else turns the wheel. Look and listen. Steering damper bushings?
Ball joints? Tie rods? Is there oil in the steering box? Late model buses rarely require a whole new box, why was yours replaced?
Colin
BobD - 78 Bus . . . 112,730 miles
Chloe - 70 bus . . . 217,593 miles
Naranja - 77 Westy . . . 142,970 miles
Pluck - 1973 Squareback . . . . . . 55,600 miles
Alexus - 91 Lexus LS400 . . . 96,675 miles

User avatar
khargis
Getting Hooked!
Location: Boise, ID
Status: Offline

Re: 1978 Bus creaky steering

Post by khargis » Mon Jul 30, 2012 10:10 am

it was replaced because on my way back from californina i heard a snap and then i could hardly turn and when i had a tighter turning radius it would pop more. traftons mentioned this rarely happens, but that this was the case. i will go through the steps you mentioned and get back to you. thanks colin
'slow n' steady'

User avatar
Amskeptic
IAC "Help Desk"
IAC "Help Desk"
Status: Offline

Re: 1978 Bus creaky steering

Post by Amskeptic » Tue Nov 13, 2012 4:26 pm

Dermot147 wrote:Here are few things that can be the cause of your hard steering wheel.
1. under-inflated tires


4. overly tightened steering box adjustment screw

6. improper wheel alignment.


Hope this helps
I edited out those suggestions that do not relate to air-cooled VWs.
Colin
(p.s. weird sounds can be column-to-steering shaft contact. The column is adjustable after you loosen the two floor plate screws)
BobD - 78 Bus . . . 112,730 miles
Chloe - 70 bus . . . 217,593 miles
Naranja - 77 Westy . . . 142,970 miles
Pluck - 1973 Squareback . . . . . . 55,600 miles
Alexus - 91 Lexus LS400 . . . 96,675 miles

Post Reply