In normal circumstances, a steering box does not need any maintenance, therefore changing steering box oil is not mentioned in the Volkswagen maintenance schedule. But in case of an overhaul the oil must of course be replaced and if you have purchased a new steering box it is not always obvious that it is filled with oil by the manufacturer.
This classic oil is a medium EP-(Extreme Pressure) SAE 90 oil, suitable for classic steering boxes. Due to the requirements that modern lubricants must meet, modern and often thin liquid oils are not suitable for use in our classic cars. This classic oil is compatible with classic seals and rubbers with excellent lubricating properties.
This classic oil has the following properties:
-Excellent lubricating properties
-Good anti-corrosion properties
-Good EP properties
-Compatibility with conventional seals and rubbers
-Good anti-foaming performance
Remark: Steering box manufacturers do not give any form of guarantee if an oil is used with different specifications than the EP-SEA 90 oil mentioned here.
Types of steering boxes:
In the old models of the Volkswagen Beetle and Karmann Ghia, there is reference to the spindle steering, which was later replaced by a roller steering system. On the Beetle 1303 and Vanagon Bus, a rack-and-pinion drive was used. It is important to know what is mounted under your car, here is the full explanation:
Volkswagen used spindle steering on the Volkswagen Beetle until 1965 and on the Karmann Ghia until 1961. The steering gearbox is equipped with a fork (spindle) with a gear that rotates on a shaft (worm) to provide the rotational movement. In the last years of construction, roller steering was used; similarly, only the tooth spindle was replaced by a carrier roller (worm gear). From 1974, the 1303 Beetle, like the third generation buses (Vanagon T25/T3 ), was equipped with a rack-and-pinion steering system. It's a rectangular rod that has teeth on one side like a gearwheel. With the pinion, a small gear that intervenes in the gearing, the rod can be moved longitudinally. Volkswagen did not implement this change simultaneously for all models, so the list below shows when and for which VW model the 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
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