Steering Box

[Dirty Bugger]

Anyone know how hard it is to replace the steering box in an 03?
Does the body have to come off or can it be done from underneath or is it best to take the tank out the front and get at it that way.. i dunno

[Tricky]

some beetles had an inspection hatch under the bonnet. cant remember if the 03's did

thats about as much help as I can be today

I'll post it on R.A.M.V.A. and someone there will know

[rapidresto]

tank out will give you far better access. Its not hard to whip it out so id always go for that.

[Dirty Bugger]

Cool. Cheers muchos. Ill wait on the advise from tricky

[Tricky]

rapid does good advice too you know

[flat4fanatic]

Pretty staright forward - it's all bolt on.
Take the tank out. At the bottom of the column support tube there's a universal joint to undo.
Underneath the car (you cen get in behind the inner wing with the wheel off).
split the tie rod end off the steering box are.
In the inner wing there are 3 bolts going from the outside in, 17 or 19mm, undo these and shuffle the steering box out.

tbh if it hasn't been done recently & you are keeping the car for a while it'd be worth changint the solid central tie rod whilst you are at it (from gsf)

[Tricky]

ok - to save me the job searching ....

[Dirty Bugger]

Ha awesome. Ill give it a shot when we get the wings off.
Tank out it is.

Thanks guys

If all goes well should be ready for summer.

[Dirty Bugger]

Is it better to replace the box (i have a 2nd hand one from an autojumble) or try to adjust out the play.. just with all the variables its hard to pin point where the play is.

[flat4fanatic]

check the central tie rod (static one that gos from box to idler £20ish I think) that can cause a lot of play if it's worn. tbh if youre keeping it for a while it'd probably be worth changing all the track rod ends (about £7ea)