[T3] Steering Box Q's

["Steven Cooper" <steven.cooper@optusnet.com.au>]

<x-flowed>Ever since having a supposedly new steering box installed by a mechanic 
several years ago, the steering has suffered from a niggling problem.  The 
steering wheel center position moves under some circustances, generally when 
parking in those tight awkward spots requiring heavy hauling on the wheel. 
I cann't actually notice the wheel slipping while parking, but once out on 
the road and driving straight I notice that the center position is different 
from before parking.  Having lived with this problem for years I finally 
decided to pull the steering box out and have a look to see if I could pin 
down what was wrong.
The only thing I could notice was some damage to the roller shaft splines 
near the top.
Spline damage
http://members.optusnet.com.au/~steven.cooper/mypic94.JPG
http://members.optusnet.com.au/~steven.cooper/mypic95.JPG
Steering box
http://members.optusnet.com.au/~steven.cooper/mypic96.JPG

With a fair amount of effort just the corner of an 0.05mm feeler gauge can 
be squeezed between the roller and spacer.

This leads me to a few questions:
1) What could be causing the problem?  All ball joints were replaced in the 
last few years.
2) Do I need a new steering box?
3) Am I better off rebuilding the original or buying a new one?
4) If rebuild, where can I get a rebuild kit from?
5) Bentley refers to a couple of special VW tools required for checking and 
aligning the steering gear, what are the alternative in the absence of these 
tools?

Any assistance greatly appreciated.

Steven
Australia
'72 F/back AT Vert
'73 F/back MT FI 


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