This seal of the steering gearbox is located around the outgoing steering axle. Leaks can be remedied by replacing this retainer ring, taking into account that the correct oil is used when using a spindle steering box (shown in the Options tab).
To give more clarity on the different types of steering gearboxes, all types used in our classic Volkswagen are listed below.
Types of steering boxes :
Volkswagen used spindle steering for the Beetle until 1965 and for the Karmann Ghia until 1961. The steering box is equipped with a toothed fork (spindle) that rotates around an axis (worm screw) for rotational movement.
In the last years of construction, the roller control was used; similarly, only the tooth spindle was replaced by a roller with bearings (worm wheel).
Since 1974, the Beetle 1303, like the third generation of Buses (T25/T3 Vanagon), has been equipped with a rack-and-pinion steering system. It is a rectangular rod with teeth on one side like a gear. With the pinion, a small pinion that intervenes in the gearing, the rod can be moved lengthwise. Volkswagen did not implement this change for all models simultaneously, so we have listed below for which model which VW system was used.
spindle steering:
Beetle export model until 1961 (chassis no. 3 933 184 )
Beetle convertible until 1961 (chassis no. 3 933 184 )
Beetles for the domestic market (standard version) until 7/1965
Karmann Ghia until 1961 (chassis no. 3 933 184 )
roller steering:
Beetle export model from 1961 (chassis no. 3 933 185 ) and later
Beetle cabriolet from 1961 (chassis no. 3 933 185 ) until 7/1974
Beetle 1200, 1300, 1500 from 8/1965 and later
Beetle 1302 and 1303 up to 7/1974
Karmann Ghia from 1961 (chassis no. 3 933 185 ) and later
VW Bus up to 7/1979
Type 3 all models and years of construction
VW Thing all models and years of construction
rack-and-pinion drive:
Beetle 1303 from 8/1974 and later
VW Vanagon (all years of construction)
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