73 Super Steering Binds

I need some help - I recently replaced most of the front end on my 73
Super Beetle; I had no idea how old the parts were and they were
showing some serious wear. To make a long story short, the car now
has a new center tie rod, new outer tie rods and ends, new ball
joints, and a new(er) steering damper. After installing all these
parts I had the car professionally aligned for safety.

Almost immediately afterwards I noticed a significant increase in
steering effort - the wheel will usually not return to center on its
own exiting turns. This is also accompanied by a sort of
binding/grinding sound from the front of the car. Even stranger, the
symptoms get worse the warmer the temperature. On days less than 60
degrees I hardly noticed anything, above 80 or 90 and I was afraid to
drive. I realize the severity and have ceased driving the vehicle -
but the problem needs addressing.

I have tried (unsuccessfully) to isolate the cause of the sound. It
is impossible to tell where it is coming from - no matter where you
crawl under or put your ear it sounds different. Even with the entire
front off the ground the noise and increased effort persist. I have
disconnected the damper and it checks ok.

Could the steering box itself be a possibility? Or the universal
joints on the steering column? I'm becoming desperate, but I don't
want to tear everything apart unless there is no alternative. Thanks
in advance for any advice!

Steve Dechant wrote:

> I need some help - I recently replaced most of the front end on my 73
> Super Beetle; I had no idea how old the parts were and they were
> showing some serious wear. To make a long story short, the car now
> has a new center tie rod, new outer tie rods and ends, new ball
> joints, and a new(er) steering damper. After installing all these
> parts I had the car professionally aligned for safety.
>
> Almost immediately afterwards I noticed a significant increase in
> steering effort - the wheel will usually not return to center on its
> own exiting turns. This is also accompanied by a sort of
> binding/grinding sound from the front of the car. Even stranger, the
> symptoms get worse the warmer the temperature. On days less than 60
> degrees I hardly noticed anything, above 80 or 90 and I was afraid to
> drive. I realize the severity and have ceased driving the vehicle -
> but the problem needs addressing.
>
> I have tried (unsuccessfully) to isolate the cause of the sound. It
> is impossible to tell where it is coming from - no matter where you
> crawl under or put your ear it sounds different. Even with the entire
> front off the ground the noise and increased effort persist. I have
> disconnected the damper and it checks ok.
>
> Could the steering box itself be a possibility? Or the universal
> joints on the steering column? I'm becoming desperate, but I don't
> want to tear everything apart unless there is no alternative. Thanks
> in advance for any advice!

Pull the Pitman arm off or disconnect the center tie rod from the
Pitman arm. See if the binding is still there. If it *is*,
I'll bet the shop "adjusted" the steering box.

If no bind with the Pitman off, look at the idler arm bushings.
Often they will freeze up solid and I suppose it could be temp
dependent.

Inspect the U-joints for wear (they will fall apart on you if worn),
but the binding doesn't really sound like them.

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

Speedy Jim > wrote:

> Pull the Pitman arm off or disconnect the center tie rod from the
> Pitman arm. See if the binding is still there. If it *is*,
> I'll bet the shop "adjusted" the steering box.

That's my first guess, too. Open the bonnet and take out the spare
floor. In about the 1 or 2 o'clock position of the spare is a round cap
in the floor. Pop the cap out with a screw driver and you see the top of
the steering box and the adjustment for it. Loosen the 17mm nut and turn
the adjustment counter-clockwise to loosen the stiffness. There's an
obvious neutral point where the play is gone and effort is least.
--
David Gravereaux >
[species: human; planet: earth,milkyway(western spiral arm),alpha sector]

Appreciate the advice; I should get a chance to give it a look later
this week due to the coming holiday. It would be nice if it was
something that simple (the box adjustment). If not, and it *is* the
idler how difficult of a change is that? Nothing more complicated
than what I've already done I wouldn't think? Thanks again, and if I
need more help I've found the place to come. Happy Thanksgiving.