safety steering

My '66 has a collapsable collumn - I assume it's original and not retro fitted by a previous owner - but I could be wrong.

As for fitting a UJ - you'd also have to fit some sort of support bearing for the lower end of the collumn otherwise it would flop about as it's only supported at the lower end by being bolted to the steering box.

Dave.

I believe the later collapsible columns bolt on to late bugs, although the number of splines on the steering wheel may be different depending on years.

Shouldn't be too hard to modify up anyway.

I had that very concern on my '63. Fitted a later collapsible
column (it began on '68 models in US) without trouble.

If you get an old collapsible shaft, be sure you get the
giant "C" clip which prevents the shaft from moving
upward in the hollow column during a crash.

Also make sure its straight... Mine was buckled and I didn't realise for a while. When I fitted a new tank I noticed some paint rubbing off it. This was caused cause a bulge on one side of the column was rubbing.

When fitting a safety column to a pre-68 Bug you also have to weld a steel sleeve to the front side of the access hole in the front cross panel as there is too much slack in the set-up before the column would start to compress. The VW part # for the is 111 805 479 and should still be available (or cut it out of a scrapper).

Peter said:

The VW part # for the is 111 805 479 and should still be available (or cut it out of a scrapper).

Click to expand...

Peter -

You don't happen to have a diagram or photo of one do you ? Just so I can check if my car's been done properly while it's in bits for resto ?

Cheers - Dave.

Dave,
Do you have any of the Bentley manuals? In the 70-79 you can see it in a photo on page 25 of the front axle section. In the 66-69 there is a diagram and photo on pages 36 & 37 of the same section.

Sorry Peter, I've got the Haynes and the Autodata books, but not the Bentley one.

If you (or somebody else) could scan it I'd appreciate it, if not don't worry, I'll have a close look at a late model beetle the next time I get chance, and check it's the same as mine.

I think mine has it though, (to be honest my car's a mongrel, bits from all years) - There's a tube sticking out of the panel below the tank about 2 inches long, that the column comes through. Does this sound correct ?

Cheers - Dave.

Mr.Whippy said:

....There's a tube sticking out of the panel below the tank about 2 inches long, that the column comes through. Does this sound correct ?

Click to expand...

Yes, that does sound correct.

Thanks Peter.