Steering
Box Brace
By Paul Bretherton
About
twelve months ago I had the steering box of my MK11 wagon rebuilt. This transformed
the car back to being enjoyable to drive, but as with everything, you fix one
problem and another arises.
On
the way home from a car show a few months ago, the steering again became very
vague. When we got home, with my mate’s head under the hood, we wiggled the
steering column and everything was moving except for the wheels.
The
steering column came out to reveal a broken steering box lug. From the look of
it, this lug had already been welded once before, and had broken completely
off. I had read all the articles on the website about the steering box braces
that people have fitted, so I thought this is the time to add a bit of
strengthening.
I
took the steering box, along with a print out of the articles from the website
to a local engineering firm, and asked him to weld up the lug and make both
brackets up.
With
the box re-installed with the brackets in place, I also put a new steering drag
link kit in, and now she is back to going where I point her.
Next
step is to maybe get a thinner set of front tyres to reduce the drag on the
whole arrangement. I have also heard whispers of someone developing a power
steering conversion, which I would also love to add.
Ready for the measuring up with a copy of the plans
from the website on hand
The
bottom bracket made
The top bracket made
with a cut out for the oile filler.
Bracket in place and column back in car 1
I
asked the Engineer to make templates of everything he made, just in case anyone
else would like to get this done, and not have to re invent the wheel.
Details
are: Ocean Grove Engineering (VIC) contact David on 0418 324 355
I
would like to thank both Karl and Jim for their articles, as without them I
would not have thought to add these brackets. Keep up the good work.
Disclaimer:
The advice and guidelines given in these articles are given in good faith.
The owners and managers of the Galeforce Zephyr site will take no
responsibility for any injuries or loss sustained while carrying out the
described tasks and procedures or any consequences arising. Please read
the Safety First
Article
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