Checking and adjusting the roller steering mechanism (VW Beetle)

Examination

Attention! The car must stand on its front wheels.

Set the wheels straight.

Move the steering wheel slightly with your fingers on the outer edge of any of its spokes. The total clearance should not exceed 15 mm (measured around the circumference of the steering wheel, approximately equal to the width of a finger).

Adjustment

Important! Before adjusting the steering gear, be sure to check the tightening of the steering gear cover bolts (25 Nm) and the steering gear transmission bolts on the front suspension crossmember (30 Nm). Tighten the bolts if necessary. If the gap is too large, there may be three possible causes, which must be addressed in the following order:

1) Correct the axial play of the steering shaft

The axial play of the steering shaft is adjusted by moving the shaft in an elastic disc clutch. In this case, the front part of the car must be raised. If there is play, it can be eliminated as follows.





Loosen the adjusting bolt lock nut. To do this, turn the steering gear to the left or right until it stops.



Turn the steering shaft at the steering gear connection while tightening the adjusting bolt until the play is eliminated.



Tighten the adjusting bolt and locknut.

Turn the steering shaft from lock to lock. At the same time, strong lateral impacts should not be felt in the bearings. If there is a knock, the adjusting bolt is tightened too tight. In this case, you need to repeat the adjustment.

2) Adjust the clearance between the steering gear roller and the steering shaft

If after adjusting the steering shaft play there is still play in the steering gear, the position of the steering gear roller relative to the steering shaft should be adjusted. In this case, the car must be installed on supports, and when checking it must be lowered to the ground.

Set the steering gear to the center position, and then turn the steering wheel 90° to the left or right.



The adjusting bolt can be accessed through a hole in the trunk lid.

Loosen the steering gear roller axle adjusting bolt lock nut and back off the adjusting bolt approximately one turn. Then screw in the bolt until a slight resistance becomes noticeable due to the roller being pressed against the steering shaft. Secure the adjusting bolt and tighten its lock nut to a torque of 22-25 Nm.

Lower the vehicle to the ground and check the adjustment. To do this, turn the steering wheel from the center position by 90° first in one direction and then in the other. In this position, check the steering wheel play (it should not exceed 15 mm). If more play is detected after turning one way, the steering pulley should be adjusted again, turning the steering wheel 90° in the same direction. Finally, take a test drive and check whether the steering wheel returns to the center position after exiting the turn (at a speed of approximately 20 km/h, at a 45° angle). If not, the steering pulley is too tight. In this case, you need to repeat the adjustment to avoid damaging the steering mechanism. After adjusting the mechanism, it is also necessary to check the wheel alignment.

3) Correct the axial play of the steering gear roller

If the above adjustments do not achieve the desired result, the axial play of the steering gear roller should be checked again. To do this, you need to disassemble the steering mechanism and eliminate the play by correctly installing the roller (the work is done in the workshop).