81 Caddy steering column clunk

[92EcoDiesel Jetta]

Picked up a nice rust free 81 Caddy 1.6. The only thing I found so far wrong with it (other than a bad vacuum pump) is the steering makes an awful clunking noise when you turn the wheel (running or not). I was told it needs the steering column bearing replaced. Anyone here done the job and can offer specific advice so I can have all parts and tools lined up before ripping it apart? The Bently shows  a pic of the bearing being pressed in and says it requires 200 ft lbs of force otherwise something else is worn. I have a new replacement bearing (came with the caddy).

[CRSMP5]

ill assume its the lower bearing on column.. down by feet before universal.. take a look to see if it fell out... if so stick back up in.. use a hose clamp to hold into place...

if that not it...

turn wheel all way to left while doing donuts on bumpy surface... after a few laps.. turn wheel all way to right.. clunk same or go away?? if clumk goes away.. the bushing by the inner tierod on the right (pass side) has failed... its pressed inside the rack and i guess a derlin one can be gotted via ebay..

[CRSMP5]

poortex pic....

[92EcoDiesel Jetta]

poortex pic....

Exactly what happened to mine! Hose clamped it and no more clunk! I hope the hose clamp stays put for a long time!



Here's the caddy (orig from NV so no rust)

[745 turbogreasel]

Mine fell out too, I almost crashed.
Lucky I had an extra clamp.

[mystery3]

Mine actually disintegrated so I had to replace it. It's fairly straightforward to pull the column and have one pressed in but if you do it be very careful about applying pressure to the column in any manner it's collapsible and once collapsed a bit will not reach the u-joint. After cleaning the column, the new bearing and greasing everything up well it spins like butter. I'm glad I did it.

[DarkwingDork]

There is also a bushing between the upper bearing and the steering shaft (up by the lock cylinder) that can wear out...that happened on my 84 rabbit. I'll post the part number and vendor next time I'm near a computer...that thing was a pain to track down.

Sent from my ADR6300 using Tapatalk 2

[mystery3]

There is also a bushing between the upper bearing and the steering shaft (up by the lock cylinder) that can wear out...that happened on my 84 rabbit. I'll post the part number and vendor next time I'm near a computer...that thing was a pain to track down.

Sent from my ADR6300 using Tapatalk 2

If that one is gone I don't think the symptom would be described as a big clunk but rather a loose feeling and a rattle, I could be wrong though.

[92EcoDiesel Jetta]

There is also a bushing between the upper bearing and the steering shaft (up by the lock cylinder) that can wear out...that happened on my 84 rabbit. I'll post the part number and vendor next time I'm near a computer...that thing was a pain to track down.

Sent from my ADR6300 using Tapatalk 2

Please post p/n and vendor when you have it.

Is this a common problem with the MKI's (lower bearing falling out)? What causes it to fall out? Do MKII's have the same problem?

[rs899]

Exactly what happened to mine! Hose clamped it and no more clunk! I hope the hose clamp stays put for a long time!

My hose clamp repair is about 15 years old and holding fine...

Is this a common problem with the MKI's (lower bearing falling out)? What causes it to fall out? Do MKII's have the same problem?

Yes.

Old age.

Don't think so...

[hillfolk'r]

the hose clamp usually does it..on the upper you can pull the wheel,and loosen the allen clamping the lock assy to the column,and pull it up just a smidgen and retighten the allen..that will preload the whole mess slightly and get rid of the clunk too.thats if u can feel up and down play up at the wheel tho

[DarkwingDork]

Sorry for the late reply....work and a steam engine show last weekend kept me busy.

The upper bushing (they call it a column thrust ring) part number is: 171-419-341

I got mine from http://www.vwpartsdepartment.com/...Their current price is $4.40.

The bushing that came with the car was metal (somehow it wore down) the new one is plastic but fixed the problem and has been working great since March of 2010. One of these days I'll get around to posting instructions on http://Mk1Ultra.com...I took plenty of pictures of the procedure. 

[92EcoDiesel Jetta]

Thanks for the info. I will keep it on file in case I need it. The caddy is almost ready to be registered.Rebuilt the vacuum pump have brakes now, new timing belt, oil and filter, fuel filter, flushed brakes.

How's ur rabbit build coming along?

Sorry for the late reply....work and a steam engine show last weekend kept me busy.

The upper bushing (they call it a column thrust ring) part number is: 171-419-341

I got mine from http://www.vwpartsdepartment.com/...Their current price is $4.40.

The bushing that came with the car was metal (somehow it wore down) the new one is plastic but fixed the problem and has been working great since March of 2010. One of these days I'll get around to posting instructions on http://Mk1Ultra.com...I took plenty of pictures of the procedure. 

[92EcoDiesel Jetta]

the hose clamp usually does it..on the upper you can pull the wheel,and loosen the allen clamping the lock assy to the column,and pull it up just a smidgen and retighten the allen..that will preload the whole mess slightly and get rid of the clunk too.thats if u can feel up and down play up at the wheel tho

I'll check it out more once it's on the road thanks!

[DarkwingDork]

Thanks for the info. I will keep it on file in case I need it. The caddy is almost ready to be registered.Rebuilt the vacuum pump have brakes now, new timing belt, oil and filter, fuel filter, flushed brakes.

How's ur rabbit build coming along?

Sorry for the late reply....work and a steam engine show last weekend kept me busy.

The upper bushing (they call it a column thrust ring) part number is: 171-419-341

I got mine from http://www.vwpartsdepartment.com/...Their current price is $4.40.

The bushing that came with the car was metal (somehow it wore down) the new one is plastic but fixed the problem and has been working great since March of 2010. One of these days I'll get around to posting instructions on http://Mk1Ultra.com...I took plenty of pictures of the procedure. 

No problem, glad to be of service.  It took me a couple hours of forum digging to find that darn thing...think I finally found my answer on a Beatle forum (gotta love VW for part interchangeability).

Glad to hear the Caddy is coming along nicely. I hit a financial snag and had to delay the turbo/rebuild for awhile. The 1.6/5-speed are freshly painted and swapped along with the wiring harness (cleaned up the bay as well). I still have to get chrome-trim-compatible fixed 1/4 window seals (If anybody has a set, I need them), swap the stereo system, hook up cold start cable, and some other wiring.

Luckily, I found an 82 GTI at work (salvage yard) and will get a killer deal on the sway bars, 3rd brake light, rear wiper bits (have to figure out how to swap into my hatch), tach cluster, center console, black bumpers (with over-riders...yay!), the 3 remaining Snowflake rims (also need one), and what's left of the Recaros. I already have the GTI flares, OEM Rabbit mud flaps, and other goodies.

As soon as I do all that, body work, and paint I'm riding pretty and hopefully have turbo money 

Thanks for asking