If the rack and pinion steering box on the latest VW 1303 series has been opened for any reason, you will need to replace at least the O-ring between the cover and the steering box. As with all seals and gaskets, you can't reuse them, but if you do, you're guaranteed a leak, which you want to avoid. Don't forget to re-grease the steering rack, order the right grease right away (listed in the options tab)
Most likely you have removed the entire steering rack from the underside of the car, in which case the tie rods have also been removed, in which case you need to order a new tie rod lock plate. Locking plates are there for a reason: they ensure that the nut or bolt cannot spontaneously loosen by vibration. Only inexperienced mechanics or those who don't take safety very seriously reuse locking plates. Use common sense and use the wrench in the manner prescribed by Volkswagen with a new locking plate (listed in the options tab).
Steering Box Types:
Volkswagen used rack and pinion steering for the Volkswagen Beetle until 1965 and for the Karmann Ghia until 1961. The steering box has a fork (spindle) with teeth that is rotated on a shaft (worm) for turning motion.
Later models used roller steering; a similar method except that the spindle with teeth is replaced by a roller (worm) with bearings.
Starting in 1974, the VW Beetle 1303, like the third generation VW Bus (Vanagon), is equipped with a pinion steering system. This is a rectangular bar with teeth like a gear wheel on one side. The pinion, a small gear involved in the teeth, moves the rod longitudinally. Volkswagen did not implement this change at the same time for all models, so you will find below a list indicating when and for which VW model which system was applied.
Rack and pinion steering (sector type) :
Beetle Export until 1961 (VIN 3 933 184 )
Beetle Convertible until 1961 (VIN 3 933 184 )
Beetle for the domestic market (standard model) until July 1965
Karmann Ghia until 1961 (VIN 3 933 184 )
Roller type steering :
Beetle Export from 1961 (VIN 3 933 185 )
Beetle convertible from 1961 (VIN 3 933 185 ) until July 1974
Beetle 1200-1300-1500 from August 1965
Beetle 1302 and 1303 from from July 1974
Karmann Ghia from 1961 (VIN 3 933 185 )
Bus from July 1979
Type 3 all models and production years
VW Thing all models and production years
Rack and pinion:
Beetle 1303 from August 1974
Vanagon (all models and years)
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