Another point to made here is that we are only a small percentage of VW beetle chassis owners on this forum restoring these 60 odd year old vehicles, what about VZI, beetleownersclub.co.uk and volks whatever  - they must be aware of this problem and have potentially the same companies sponsoring their forums.

As a percentage, we are indeed small

But . . .  We are incredibly proactive and resourceful when it comes to stuff like this - we can also be very "noisy" too

Most other companies just look for money when it comes to sponsorship, and you will seldom see a forum owner actually posting anything

Thats what makes us a little different 

Quote from: Dave DND on February 15, 2017, 03:19:20 PM

we can also be very "noisy" too

Know all about that Dave 

I wrote to Machine 7 over a year ago pointing them to this thread, did not even get a reply. So since then I have given them the same ignoring.
Trouble is they pretty much all stock them.
We need to try to do something. Not only could we save lives but if the unthinkable did happen with this thread publicly predicting it the bureaucrats trying to stop any car mods would have a field day, and then all the suppliers would suffer as well so it is in their own interests to start putting safety before profit

Once we fix that maybe we then start on sub standard fake German bits from China

Just stumbled across this thread, I have the red urethane one, I'm now going to change it.  Is this the best one to change it to:

https://www.vwheritage.com/251419417b-rubber-steering-coupling-vw-spare

No go for one with reinforcing in so if the rubber cracks the material will still hold it together.

My coupling is showing signs of wear - is this one from Just Kampers OK?

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Steering-Column-Coupling-For-VW-Beetle-1950-on-VW-T25-T31979-1992-111415417/292864177727?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649

I'm not sure if it's reinforced or not though, so is there better? Cost not important over safety.

Cheers

Hugh the 2nd

reinforced ones are hard to find, guessing it may be rubber and not urethane so will flex better without cracking.

Well, this one is stamped 'Germany' and has the same part number as a lot of others, and pretty definitely rubber rather than urethane.

Silly question time - will it just be a matter of unbolting, replacing and then re-bolting the coupling?

Cheers

Hugh the 2nd

an easy swap just check the column earth wire is in good condition whilst removed.

 

reinforced ones are hard to find, guessing it may be rubber and not urethane so will flex better without cracking.

Reinforced available from either just kampers or heritage. (forget wish). However because most people seem to want the cheapest item they can get the ring is "special order only". (Presume they don`t want to hold a stock that will cost in overheads).

It is not cheap. £35.00 last time I looked.

Quote from: Paul1953 on April 06, 2020, 02:05:32 PM
reinforced ones are hard to find, guessing it may be rubber and not urethane so will flex better without cracking.

Reinforced available from either just kampers or heritage. (forget wish). However because most people seem to want the cheapest item they can get the ring is "special order only". (Presume they don`t want to hold a stock that will cost in overheads).

It is not cheap. £35.00 last time I looked.

But will probably last more than 3.5 times as long as one costing a tenner, and you don't have to keep refitting and you will probably survive if it does rot

Pay the money and do it properly,. there's no backup steering

Agreed, I would pay for and get reinforced if I could, but neither Just Kampers or Heritage show them on their websites

This one looks to be the right type but I need to check if they ship to the UK - https://www.paruzzi.com/uk/volkswagen/front-axle-steering/steering/3369/

Cheers

Hugh the 2nd

Quote from: HughBug on April 06, 2020, 03:17:29 PM
Agreed, I would pay for and get reinforced if I could, but neither Just Kampers or Heritage show them on their websites

This one looks to be the right type but I need to check if they ship to the UK - https://www.paruzzi.com/uk/volkswagen/front-axle-steering/steering/3369/

Cheers

Hugh the 2nd

I've bought from them before they do ship to the UK