[T3] new to Type 3 - steering Question

[Vincent Molenaar <molenari@dds.nl>]

Hi,

I am Vincent Molenaar from the Netherlands. I bought a 1971 Fastback
three weeks ago. I already have experience with beetles and baywindows.
Since my other three vehicles aren't in a driveable state I got a bit
frustrated not having anything nice to drive in. When I saw the ad of
this fastback I had to check it out. It looked OK, no real rotten
places, only some ugly welding spots here and there. It had recently
been to inspections, it didn't pass, there was a list of things that
failed, no welding though. So I decided to buy it. The technical things
weren't a big problem I thought. Well, how wrong could I be. Especially
about the welding. Brought it to the inspections again. The mechanic in
this garage found 'crunchy' spots: left and right in the wheel well, now
I see this is a standard rust place for the type 3 since 1970.

Two other things came up with the inspection: bad wheel bearing on a
front wheel and stiff steering.

The bearing was no problem at all. They are the same as from a beetle,
great, a friend of me had them in stock. But now the ateerin

The steering is something else though. Thought it would be the steering
gear, loosened the bolt a bit but no effect. Now with the fueltank out I
think I might have traced the problem. When I turn the wheel entirely
from left to right I feel three "heavy spots" along the way. I also see
that the steering tube (the connection between steering gear and the
steeringwheel itself) is going up and down while I turn the wheel. Not a
good sign I guess.

My question is: can I replace the tube with one from a beetle? A friend
of me is going to part out a 1974 standard beetle (classical 1200 type).
I can have the from him if I want it. I already have a VW 181 (Thing)
steering tube. The ignition lock is the same as type 3. But the tube
looks a little bit different at the point of the "safety can" (don't
know how to call it). Is there anyone with experience on this point? It
is the last thing I need to get this car through inspections (I hope,
perhaps they now will find something else....again)



Vincent

 
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Vincent Molenaar         *         Currently starring in my fleet:
Leeuwarden, The Netherlands *
                              *       '70 Type 2  Kombi (Ex-Policevan)
  email: molenari@dds.nl       *      '77 Type 2  Panelvan (Concordia)
    ICQ: 35985416                *    '78 Type 2  Kombi (6-UP)
   VW's: http://drive.to/vvv        * '71 Type 3  1600TL AUTOMATIC
(Fastback)
M-CODES: http://drive.to/m-codes         *
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