Re: [T3] Steering column info...

["Jim Adney" <jadney@vwtype3.org>]

On 21 Sep 2000, at 22:25, nomeansyes@excite.com wrote:

> how is the horn wired?  I have a wire soldered to the bearing assembly at
> the top of the column but it's been cut off to only 4 inches long.  Is that
> part of the horn wiring?  Also, some illustrations I've seen show a wire
> running inside the entire length of the steering column (I don't have one). 
> What's up with that? I have a braided ground strap about 3 inches long with
> a right angle ring terminal on each end.  Is this attached at the rubber
> coupling just above the steering box? 

There were early and late horn wiring schemes; the change was 
around 71, so yours is the early one. The hot wire runs to the horn, 
the return runs to the 4" wire, the horn ring connects to a wire that 
runs down the hollow steering shaft and across the coupling where 
it ties to the steering box shaft. The braid jumps from one of the 
steering box cover bolts to the body, grounding the steering gear in 
spite of the rubber front axle mounting bushings.

> The most important question pertains to the plastic bushing with the wavy
> metal spring insert that fits onto the upper end of the shaft and engages
> into the bearing.  Mine is old, brittle and broken beyond any servicable
> limits.  Are these available?  If so where?  What is this do-hickey called? 

I don't know, but it is likely since I believe the same system was 
used on the same year of beetles. The generic name for the 
corrogated metal part is a "tolerance ring", but I don't know what 
VW calls it. I have never even been far enough into a steering 
column that I have ever seen one, but I probably have a complete 
71 column assembly here.

-
Jim Adney
jadney@vwtype3.org
Madison, WI 53711-3054

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