Steering Guibo Replacement

[thedudejb]

Any advice on which way to disassemble the steering coupler...from above the engine compartment or from under the car?  All of the stud nuts on each collar seem tough to get to as well as the bolt nuts connecting the actual guibo.  I have read the excellent write-ups on this in the FAQ by @rms_sandiego from 2010, but it didn't seem to mention best way to access this removal.  Any advice would be much appreciated.

[theNomad]

I think I did mine with a few items removed in the engine bay from above. wasn't too bad.

http://nomads2002.blogspot.com/2016/04/firm-it-up-new-steering-coupler-engine.html

[theNomad]

duplicate

Edited November 24, 2016 by theNomad

[thedudejb]

Much appreciated @theNomad

[Danz3]

I did mine from under the car.  I removed the steering box for a rebuild at the same time.  Not really that bad at all.

[Buckeye]

check out section 24 "steering & wheel alignment" in the following link:

 

and here is short version of it

[Hans]

where did you get the replacement?

[Buckeye]

UNIVERSAL JOINT 32311112358

 

https://www.blunttech.com/products/4952004

[Hans]

Let me know how that fits. A bit smaller than original, but standard issue these days.

[rms_sandiego]

Do it from above. Just rotate the steering wheel to get better access to the different bolts. Don't forget to remove the retaining bolt completely as opposed to just loosening it. The bold sits in a groove in the shaft that stops the coupler from sliding all the way up unless you take it out.

[Hans]

I'd start soaking the splines now with PB Blaster.

[thinksound_mike]

I just did this not that long ago. I soaked them a lot. I installed the red urethane one from IE. It fit fine. I did have to use a pickle fork and a hammer to tap the splines a bit to get them to move. I did a few of the bolts from above and one or two from under the car. Good luck!

[NickVyse]

urethane vw ones fit too and are cheap

 

https://www.amazon.com/Empi-16-5150-Urethane-Steering-Coupler/dp/B00BYHFVHK

[elfhearse]

Also paint mark the shaft leaving the steering box while the wheels are centered  (if the existing center mark is no longer visible)  I wasn't paying attention to that when I initially bolted everything back together and steering wheel was off center slightly.

[jimk]

2 hours ago, elfhearse said:

I wasn't paying attention to that when I initially bolted everything back together and steering wheel was off center slightly.

Mine was also, so I just popped off the steering wheel and moved it to the correct position.  Same number of splines at both ends of the shaft, So that is a lot easier than going thru the joint process again.