Aircooled VW South Africa

What is the consensus regarding rebuilding a steering box?
I have removed my Kombi steering box to clean it since I am trying to get my Kombi in a good shape.
As far as I know there is no play and when turning the input shaft the output shaft turns immediately.
The only thing bothering me is all the old gunk that was packed on the box. Either it is very old and was never cleaned or the box no longer has oil in it.
I take it that the red plug is for filling.
How do I know there is enough oil in there?
What oil is it?
If no oil I will probably disassemble and install new seals.

Alan best to put the box in a vice put the steering wheel on put it on full lock and turn it lock to lock count the amount of turns then half the amount of turns thats center then check back lash in that position adjust if needed free play should be around 20 mm ? on the steering wheel if it feels a bit rough then it is worn or pitted. I always use a mixture of LM grease and EP90 oil mix the two together until its like a fish batter.

If you don't come right drop it off by me and I have a box that might work for spares.

I have found that the grease used, will move away from the gears and you land up without lubrication.

Over the many years I have filled the box with Bardahl or Wynns engine oil additive, the thick sticky stuff.

Works a treat, takes up the wear gap, and keeps lubricating.

Enjoy

Herman

By the sounds of it you guys recommend opening up and checking.
the box has 2.75 turns lock to lock. I can feel a slight notch in the centre position but there is no play if feeling on the shafts alone.
If I am going to open it up I will replace the seals at the same time.
Tx, Terry don't think there is anything wrong with the box other than it was full of gunk over the years.

Herman is right to a point if the boxes are just filled with grease the LM grease is a very soft grease mixed with 90 oil it is very runny and sticks to the components very well. But its your choice Herman has a lot more experience on Vw than I do I am only saying what I know worked for me very well.I respect Hermans input of valuable information that he contributes to the Forum so I have no dought he knows whats best.That old fart has been around the block a few times and produces some top quality workmanship but he is slacking no pictures of his project car or bus not sure what it is but we need a up date.

AlanH wrote: ↑Sat Oct 26, 2019 8:19 pm .......If I am going to open it up I will replace the seals at the same time.........

You will find the grease has gone hard and did not bleed in between the shafts and the bushes.

You may want to replace these before closing it up again.

Herman

Terry Phillips wrote: ↑Sat Oct 26, 2019 9:20 pm ....... what I know worked for me very well.....Hermans ..... he knows whats best .... for him and did not say your way will not work. In fact its better then the German solution....That old fart ......is slacking ...... due to high work load and old age.... but we need a up date. Hoping to get back into it during December as I would like to get the current project to George......... :oops:

Hope you well UNCLE Terry.

Will take my "Dressing Down" from you with respect....



Herman

Not really but not much I can do but keep fighting one of us has to win just hope its me.hehe Good to hear you still have the determination to complete that project keep us posted.