Summary: VW Bus Steering Information

If you have not checked the steering coupler on your VW Bay Window Bus, you should because if it were to fail, it would be incredibly dangerous. Part of the process when we do Subaru conversions on VW buses, is checking, then re-checking all safety components. The steering coupler connects your steering column to your steering wheel. I always replace these and actually do it just as a matter of course, I don’t even charge folks for it who bring their buses into the shop because how dangerous it could be, if left untouched.

What Is A Steering Coupler? 

Today’s PSA is a little tidbit on steering couplers. If you have not checked your steering coupler, it connects your steering column to your steering wheel. At the base of your column this guy connects to your steering box which controls your steering, which way your wheels go or don’t go. So this is what it should look like and likely more or less did look like from the factory.

Why Should I Replace The Coupler On My Bay Window?

This is what this one looks like now and it’s actually pretty awful. So I am extremely, extremely thankful that we found it during our audit. We always check these and sometimes I’m like “I just saved someone’s life”. Because they were driving with it like this and all it would take is a sharp bump, or a pothole maybe, trying to turn especially if they have bigger tires on there and this could have just ripped through the cords all the way, and then you have no steering and that’s that is honestly just absolutely terrifying. The last bus I looked at, I said this is the worst steering coupler I’ve ever seen, but I take it back because I don’t even wanna drive home with this guy. So I always replace these and actually do it just as a matter of course, I don’t even charge folks who bring their buses into the shop because it just needs to be done, it’s a safety issue. So here’s this guy, these are the good ones.

Part Numbers For The Coupler Job:

Steering Coupler: VWC-211-415-417-GR

Bolts: BFD8X35YLW

https://belmetric.com/m8-coarse-din-6921-flange-bolt-class-10-9-steel/

Nuts: NTLH8X13YLW

https://belmetric.com/din-6927-coarse-full-wrench-class-8-10-top-lock-flange-nut/

Wave Washers: WW8AYLW

https://belmetric.com/steel-form-a-curved-wave-washer-din-137a/

Happy Coupling

 I also always replace the crusty OG hardware so I don’t know if you can see that little original lock nut. I mean stuff like bolts is still good but you’re gonna do it, do it once, do it right and make it look nice so I’ll just give you this real quick so these are the bolts that I use flange head bolts these are the nuts that I use Belmetric shout out Belmetric’s fantastic and then little wave washers right there so I hope this helps you guys like I said just a little quick PSA replace your steering coupler. If you have not yet at least check it out make sure it doesn’t look like this, old crusty guy. And safe travels as you go. See, I had a cool ending in my head, but that didn’t actually come out of my mouth. So yeah, happy coupling. That was super cool. All right, glad to end it on that. Thanks guys, see ya.