Hello fellow speedster maniacs. I have a 2004 build Beck Speedster and when I picked it up at the port the steering box somehow got damaged and I replaced it with the commonly available TRW Mexico steering box. These come with grease instead of oil inside,and IIRC come from a later Beetle,and I replaced it over 10 years ago,so forgot how I cross referenced it. The problem I had from day 1 is the "steering left is sharper than steering right", I am limited on my right turns, it is only noticeable in tight parking lots and I have adjusted for it. I even swapped out another box and same result, there is a "center" position for the steering box and they were adjusted properly for lash, assumed it was the design of the car and lived with it. However on a FB group someone mentioned they had the SAME issue with TRW box on a Beetle, less sharper right hand steering. Long story short......what EXACT year or part # for a 2004 build Beck steering box replacement? I will be sourcing a good ,used or NOS steering box and see if it fixes the situation. BTW has anyone else experienced this? With TRW or any other brand other than OEM? Mahalo
Replies sorted oldest to newest
There are steering stops that can be adjusted. Your box may be fine.
What lane said. And please look very carefully under there for these stops. They are Just bolts with jam nuts, but I can tell you it is quite possible that one or both are missing. Such was the condition of my car -- both missing, as never installed. . I Only discovered when it suddenly became apparent that the right side tire was rubbing against the torsion bar knuckle on tight turns. This might have led to a serious blow-out, as the wear was into and through the tire sidewall cords. A blowout was immanent. I found the location of the threaded stops, bought appropriate bolts and nuts, installed them so that the steering was properly limited, and now the right side tire does not rub the suspension. Also, the car does not turn as tightly as it once did, but I'll say it turns as it is supposed to, safely.
James, for visual reference, here is the turn stop...(click on pic to enlarge).
Hope you find this info helpful.
Attachments
Yup, although you will have to scrabble around under the car to get anywhere near to seeing these. Jim's picture is how we Speedster guys wish we could access these various parts. Guys with Spyders have this problem mostly solved. There are two arms on the steering box pitman that will interfere with these studs to limit the turning.
@El Frazoo posted:Yup, although you will have to scrabble around under the car to get anywhere near to seeing these. Jim's picture is how we Speedster guys wish we could access these various parts. Guys with Spyders have this problem mostly solved. There are two arms on the steering box pitman that will interfere with these studs to limit the turning.
Get the front end off the ground enough so you remove both front tires. This will allow more access and make it easier to see. Make the necessary adjustment and put the tires back on, roll the car back and forth to settle the suspension, and turn the wheels. If it needs further adjustment you will know where everything is and making any further adjustments can be done with the car on the ground.