This is some info for you new guys to the buggy building world.
I have noticed one or two chassis pictures where a red ring of death has been fitted...
Over the years it has been noted that these urethane steering parts fail without warning.
Please folks if you have one fitted don't just check if it's ok.....replace it with a proper rubber one like this...



I'm sure many members on here will add to my statement to back it up, let's be safe in our buggies.

the ring of death i had fitted on mine had split from the inserts to the outside  and was just waiting for a bump to fail 

I bet there are some "reputable" companies selling them, shouldnt we let them know?

I think they fail because of deflection they are probably ok if they are perfectly lined up and just transmit in a 100% straight line. Still best avoided the rubbers go on for years.

 

Anyone who have ever tried to butcher out a Beetle's steering parts from a breaker yard will know that the original steering coupler rubber has fibres insided which makes it almost impossible to break!

That is a frightening picture. Get them changed if you have one.

Cool sooo glad I read this and have removed the one I had on my watch list ready for when I start putting things back together.

this part looks very similar to the ones used on Suzuki samurai,s wonder if a zuke one would fit a buggy?

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....of course you could always just buy a new genuine one....

https://www.vwheritage.com/shop/beetle/111415417/steering-coupling-t1-251-419-417b-genuine-vw/?crumbStartPage=1&crumbStartRow=1

Indeed......I always put cost into perspective......what price is your health or your life £15 is cheap as far as I'm concerned, you'll never replace that again.

Indeed......I always put cost into perspective......what price is your health or your life £15 is cheap as far as I'm concerned, you'll never replace that again.

Totally agree, the urethane ones are between £11 and £16 (Machine7 want £12:25 to convert your car to a death trap and even suggest that it is better than an original, I think I will send them a link to this thread.

If only the original VW ones came in a range of pretty colours they would sell like hot cakes

Just noticed a crack in my steering coupling, thing is it's a black one! Doesn't look like proper rubber looks quite urethane- y, did they make "black " versions of the "red" ones. Will buy a new one a sap.

Check that you have mesh thread going through it and it has pressed steel inserts in the bolt holes. If neither are present its just a poor aftermarket copy. If all are there it could be aged or stress cracking you are seeing. From my experience any way.

I did contact Machine 7 back in April to ask if they would stop stocking this deadly bit of kit, and no reply.
Just checked them and they now do a Yellow one as well

I thought they were one of the good guys but haven't used them since and dont intend to use them again
Dave