Steering Shaft/Column Removal?

I have a 1972 Super Beetle. I want to remove the steering shaft
(between the u-joint and the steering wheel). I've loosened the
u-joint. I've removed the steering wheel support. But, there
seems to be a rubber seal at the u-joint end. How do I remove
the shaft? Do I simply pull really hard? Or, is there something
constraining the shaft behind the rubber seal? Thanks for any
tips.

--
"I have to decide between two equally frightening options.
If I wanted to do that, I'd vote." --Duckman

js1 wrote:

> I have a 1972 Super Beetle. I want to remove the steering shaft
> (between the u-joint and the steering wheel). I've loosened the
> u-joint. I've removed the steering wheel support. But, there
> seems to be a rubber seal at the u-joint end. How do I remove
> the shaft? Do I simply pull really hard? Or, is there something
> constraining the shaft behind the rubber seal? Thanks for any
> tips.
>

Remove the clamping bolt at the U-Joint completely, not just loosen.

Remove the 2 bolts holding the column bracket underneath the dash.
Disconnect the wires/plugs for the column switches.
Don't forget to remove the windshield washer hoses. And, if the
washer reservoir is pressurized, you'll have a flood.

Then, pull the entire column with steering shaft out. It may be
easier to leave the steering wheel on. There is a rubber seal/boot at
the bottom where it goes thru the firewall which may resist a bit.

Check the U-Joints very carefully while you have this out.
Hi-mileage cars almost always have worn out joints which can
fail at the worst time...

Speedy Jim
http://www.nls.net/mp/volks/

On 2005-01-09, Speedy Jim > wrote:
> js1 wrote:
>
> Remove the clamping bolt at the U-Joint completely, not just loosen.
>
> Remove the 2 bolts holding the column bracket underneath the dash.
> Disconnect the wires/plugs for the column switches.
> Don't forget to remove the windshield washer hoses. And, if the
> washer reservoir is pressurized, you'll have a flood.
>
> Then, pull the entire column with steering shaft out. It may be
> easier to leave the steering wheel on. There is a rubber seal/boot at
> the bottom where it goes thru the firewall which may resist a bit.
>

The entire column should come out? The shaft came right out, but the
column (welded to the bracket with two bolts as you described) did not
come out.

http://js1.kicks-ass.org/~js1/IMG_0650.jpg
http://js1.kicks-ass.org/~js1/IMG_0651.jpg

In the pictures above, the u-joint end is to the left of the picture,
and the steering wheel end is to the right of the picture.

Can you verify that the shaft I pulled out of my 72 Super is
the proper shaft? The reason I ask is because the shaft I pulled
out is a 22mm shaft (not measuring the collars). The ball bearing
that supports it (right behind the steering wheel) has an ID of 24mm.
That's 1mm on the radius slop. This doesn't seem right since the
ball bearing is designed to support a shaft radially.

Thanks for any insight.



--
"I have to decide between two equally frightening options.
If I wanted to do that, I'd vote." --Duckman

On 2005-01-14, js1 > wrote:
>
> The entire column should come out? The shaft came right out, but the
> column (welded to the bracket with two bolts as you described) did not
> come out.
>

Nevermind, I pulled harder and the column came out...


--
"I have to decide between two equally frightening options.
If I wanted to do that, I'd vote." --Duckman

On 2005-01-14, js1 > wrote:
> Can you verify that the shaft I pulled out of my 72 Super is
> the proper shaft? The reason I ask is because the shaft I pulled
> out is a 22mm shaft (not measuring the collars). The ball bearing
> that supports it (right behind the steering wheel) has an ID of 24mm.
> That's 1mm on the radius slop. This doesn't seem right since the
> ball bearing is designed to support a shaft radially.
>

I found the other 1mm. I somehow lost the ribbed sleeve that slide over the
bearing surface. I took the steering column out of a junked car and
noticed I was missing it.


--
"I have to decide between two equally frightening options.
If I wanted to do that, I'd vote." --Duckman