Loose Steering Wheel - much play left, right, up down

It looks like it's where your wheel connects to the steering column. I think the wheel boss was moving too. The first thing to do is take off the horn button and see what's going on. You may have to take the boss off too. I had a similar problem and it turned out the nut behind the horn had come loose.

Yeah - blame the loose nut behind the wheel.  I agree the nut looks to be loose or the hub has wrong splines (real dangerous) or needs some washers.  

I had the same problem last year and it turned out to be the steering column bearing was worn out.  Not difficult to fix.

Remove the horn button so you can get to the nut holding the steering wheel on and you can see the bearing after you pull the steering wheel off. There are two versions of the bearing;  one fits 1962-1967 Beetles and the other one fits 1968 and on.  My pan is from a 1967 beeetle but it took the older bearing so it looks like my car was made from more than one single year's parts and my steering column is older than the pan.  You just have to pull your bearing out and see which one it is.

There are diagrams of how the parts go to fix this in the various manuals---if you want I can scan and email the diagram for the one I used if you will email me at  hsbroker  at aol.com.

But, I think your problem is the bearing.  My steering wheel was perfect after replacing the bearing---no play at all.  I can dig through my records to see where I got the new bearing if that looks like your problen after pull your steering wheel off.   Good luck!

Good catch Jack.  Here's diagram - click on the bushing/bearing just below the steering wheel.

https://www2.cip1.com/ProductD...uctCode=C16-111-535D

W.G.--That's the one I used---p/n C24-113=415-585.  If his steering column is '62-'67 that's the one.  Thanks for the diagram.  There are about 5 parts that go with the bearing and it can be damned confusing as to the order in which they stack into the column---that's the diagram I'was referring to.

Thanks again.

Thank You

Learned that the "horn" center cap simply pull straight out.

Have found the main center large nut looses AND the three steering wheel bolts loose !!!

Thank you for the link to the diagram.

Question, can I add the 

to my 1973 bug steering column????? as my turn signals do not self cancel, we have to remember to turn them off by have and my horn does not work.

Good place to use Lock-tite.  There is a red and blue type - permanent and non-permanent.  Would think the non-permanent would work.  I'd give the cancel ring a try - think it just depends on whether it can be mounted to the steering wheel.  You should be able to track horn wiring down. When you hit the button it should ground the horn.

It would depend on the shape of the bottom of your steering wheel adapter. That is, how much of a recess is there for the cancel ring to sit in? If it sticks out too far, you might not be able to adjust the switch housing on the column enough to hide the gap or without causing damage. Or if it sits too far in it won't reach the contacts on the switch.

Yes, quite a common problem. Though if the bearing was bad, you'd get movement side to side and up and down, but you wouldn't get the pivoting at the point between the wheel and column like the video shows. Pivoting indicated a loose connection between wheel and shaft. Of course that assumes you don't have both problems at once.