Steering

So steerin is important!  Stiff as dowsn't come back to center after a turn?  I'd first check rag joint just up from steering box.  You want an OEM style rag joint not a red polyurethane oen (they split).  It could be the gear in box is adjusted too tight or no gear lube in it.  I coming back on turn purchase a set (2) or 2 of caster shims (get longer bolts if you use 2 on each side).  Then either install one set and see if that helps or have aligned and supply to aligner. It could also be a seized tie rod end.  I prefer to hve the steeringstabilizer and front sway bar for better control.

Thank you I will get the car put on a lift and check those points.

I have also seen when the car is jacked up the steering is ok but when on the ground dry ball joints taking the load and make it stiff.   let us know what you find

Hi Dave,

You didn't say how experienced you are with replicas/VW's, etc.  Steering is right up there with brakes as far as safety is concerned.  You may want to have your local suspension shop also perform a safety check for you.  As Alan suggested, it may be something simple like lack of lubrication.  An experienced shop would see quickly that your replica uses lots of VW bug parts, and be able to diagnose and repair whatever is wrong.

Thank you.

could be as simple as needs lube inside, believe it takes 90W..Ucan adjust the tightness of the steering box by that screw gizmo

OK, you’ve got two potential things going on here.....

1.  If it keeps pulling to one side when you release the steering wheel, that is because it is out of steering alignment OR it could have a tight brake shoe at the rear (or the tire pressure is not equal on both front tires).  I would suspect alignment first (it may never have been properly aligned when built - it happens) so take it to an alignment shop and tell them to check it as a 1970 VW sedan EXCEPT that you want the front beam caster to be between 5° and 7° (because the car has been lowered).  They’ll know what to do, but you should buy a couple of sets of VW caster shims (they’re cheap) and bring them along when you go.  Alignment shops might not have them in stock because there is hardly any call for them these days.

While there, have them check the rear brake shoe adjustment on the side that it is pulling towards.  If a shoe is tight it will cause the car to pull to that side.

2.  While unlikely, it is possible that either the steering box is too tight OR you have a tight ball joint or tie rod end.  Either can be checked by a competent old VW mechanic.  The steering box can be accessed from under the front of the car and has two adjustments; one is for the center of the steering travel, and the other is for the ends of the steering travel and they are adjusted separately.  Again, someone who knows old VW Beetles should have no trouble properly adjusting it.

They can also check for a tight ball joint with the car on a lift, then  remove the wheel ends of the tie rods and simply steer the wheel by hand to see if a joint is stiff.  There was a bunch of tight aftermarket ball joints from Asia a few years back and you may have one or more of those.

Tire pressure:  Front about 20 pounds, Rear about 24-26 pounds. For spirited driving, add 2-3 pounds front and rear.

Lastly, remember that these little cars do not have power assisted steering so they tend to feel “heavy” in steering, especially in parking lots.  Just the way they are. 

Good luck!

Thanks everyone. Had it check out and a few adjustments made and it seems a bit better. It’s only done 2,800 miles so hope it may ease up some more with use.

Dave in UK.