'71 Westy Project - Maiden Voyage!!

smashcat · Post by **smashcat** » Fri Feb 02, 2007 12:10 pm

Photos of the Westy after the spray job:

Looking much better!

Now's where I need the help of bus experts. The first mechanical job I tackled was to attempt to replace the steering box on the '71 with the one from the '75. But they are different!

The box is seriously worn; about 30deg freeplay and horrible clunking noises when turning.

Options that I can think of:

1) Modify mounting to fit the fatter, squarer '75 box
2) Find someone who can / will refurbish the original box
3) Find a good second hand unit - Anyone have one for sale?
4) Buy a new one locally (doubt it)
5) Import one (last resort)
6) Give up at the first hurdle and sell everything (not gonna happen!)

Any info much appreciated and if you have one for sale - help me out please.

Post by **fig** » Fri Feb 02, 2007 12:59 pm

I don't know what's involved in converting to fit the later SB. I would go for a good used one; 71 buses are still quite plentiful, so you shouldn't have too much difficulty finding one.

In general, play at the SB is usually caused by a worn thrust bearing, which is very easy to replace. But if there are nasty sounds, then the box is probably toast. This was probably caused by the box being overtightened during a previous attempt to adjust out the play.

While it does sound like your SB is the cause of steering play, one should first eliminate all other possible sources of play, before blaming the SB; particularly the steering centre pin and the drag link.

Post by **fig** » Fri Feb 02, 2007 1:03 pm

BTW, from the pics you posted in your intro, I would say your parts bus is more likely to be a 73 than a 75.

73 was the last year that Westies were offered in SA, and also the last year with the front-tilting roof. After that the roof tilted back, and had a double bed in the roof, rather than the earlier single folding bunk.

What is the VIN? A 73 VIN would read 233 *** ****, while a 75 would read 235 *** ****.

smashcat · Post by **smashcat** » Fri Feb 02, 2007 4:44 pm

Fig, thanks for the info. I will try and find somebody to open up the box and see if it is salvageable (any suggestions in this regard?). I have a few leads on second hand ones and will follow those up too.

I will check out the green bus VIN tonight. I have been going on what the seller told me which may well be incorrect.

beetlepower · Post by **beetlepower** » Wed Feb 07, 2007 9:15 am

thats an awesome colour

Merlin · Post by **Merlin** » Wed Feb 07, 2007 9:18 am

Smashcat,

I'll be out at my Bay' on SAT to get the 'box for you.

When are you in Jo'burg until?...and where?

Cheers, N.

Jay24 · Post by **Jay24** » Thu Feb 08, 2007 7:30 am

awesome buddy !!! are you sure you cant have the box refurbished.

maybe making the other one fit isnt such a bad adea !

smashcat · Post by **smashcat** » Sun May 13, 2007 7:57 pm

At last, a bit of progress. Thanks to the efforts of Merlin I purchased a steering box from his scrapper. I am ashamed to admit that after hounding poor Merlin I then let the box sit on the shelf for a couple of months before pulling finger. Little details like work, family and racing have really put a handbrake on the project. But its in and I'm pleased to say that 70% of the play has now disappeared and I now feel confident enough to drive it. I think I need to replace the steering arm ball joints as well but for the mean time at least the bus is mobile.

I swapped the gearsticks over at the same time and that has improved the gearshift significantly but its still a bit of a hit and miss affair. So thats the next mechanical job to be tackled. Hopefully sooner rather than later.

Once again, a big up to Merlin for his effort and enthusiasm. Guys like him are rare!

Merlin · Post by **Merlin** » Sun May 13, 2007 8:12 pm

No worries mate.

Glad it helped.

Yup, sort your tie-rod ends sooner rather than later.

Cheers, N.

smashcat · Post by **smashcat** » Mon May 14, 2007 4:31 pm

Merlin wrote:No worries mate.

Glad it helped.

Yup, sort your tie-rod ends sooner rather than later.

Cheers, N.

Are they available "off the shelf"? If so, where from?

Cheers, Rob

Merlin · Post by **Merlin** » Mon May 14, 2007 4:59 pm

Not locally that I know of.

I imported a draglink, and will be importing tie-rod ends for my buses hopefully later this year.

...and don't try the recon' tie-rod end process.

I speak from experience.

N.

hitlers revenge · Post by **hitlers revenge** » Mon May 14, 2007 8:42 pm

Are "bus" tie-rod ends more difficult to get than "bug" ones. I bought outers for my bug off the shelf.

Merlin, how are tie-rod ends refurbished?

smashcat · Post by **smashcat** » Mon May 14, 2007 9:01 pm

Merlin wrote:Not locally that I know of.

I imported a draglink, and will be importing tie-rod ends for my buses hopefully later this year.

...and don't try the recon' tie-rod end process.

I speak from experience.

N.

Sheesh, is anything easy?!!

I suppose thats the price to pay for owning a "classic" in the backwoods of the world.

When you decide to import let me know. If you're importing from the States or France, we bring in containers of equipment almost monthly. We can then put together a bulk order and as long as the supplier can get the parts to the containerisation point we can then save a few bob on shipping costs. Every bit helps. The nice thing is that there is always plenty of room in the container so even bulky parts won't be a problem.

Later, Rob.

Pierre · Post by **Pierre** » Mon May 14, 2007 9:41 pm

Where is your shipping point in the States?

Merlin · Post by **Merlin** » Mon May 14, 2007 10:52 pm

hitlers revenge wrote:Are "bus" tie-rod ends more difficult to get than "bug" ones. I bought outers for my bug off the shelf.

Merlin, how are tie-rod ends refurbished?

There is a BS company offering a sort of injection-moulding...

It's supposed to fill the worn-in space in the joint and harden creating a new joint.

Not a F'ing chance...spent on a fortune on a draglink for no result.

A splittie uses an adjustable left, and a non-adjustable right.

Afaik, not the same as a bug.

N.