INSTALLATION OF

VW STEERING BOX

INTO MG-TC

by Bud Silvers

 

NOTE:
ALL OF THE PICTURES ON THIS PAGE ARE THUMBNAILS --
CLICK ON ANY PICTURE FOR A LARGER VERSION OF THE PICTURE!

For most people with basic skills this can be completed in a single day. You will need to use a grinder or file, an electric drill, and basic hand tools.

Step 1: Locate the car on a good work surface:

A cement garage floor would be ideal.

Step 2: Remove the existing Bishop Cam (BC) steering:

  1. First adjust the Steering Wheel in the straight ahead position.
  2. Remove the Steering Wheel.
  3. Put the car on a Jack Stands to support the front of the car.
  4. Remove the Right Front Wheel.
  5. Remove the Drag Link from the Pitman Arm.
  6. Remove the single bolt securing the BC box to the bracket.
  7. Remove the bolt securing the Steering Column inside the car, under the Facia.
  8. Place some kind of protection, like a towel, on the fender underneath the headlight.
  9. Remove the BC Steering assembly forward out the triangle formed by the fender, the radiator, and the headlight bar.
  10. Remove the BC bracket.
  11. The Steering Column, BC box, Pitman Arm, and BC Bracket will not be used again and can be stored.

 

Step 3: Install the VW Steering Bracket:

  1. Remove the two rivets securing the brake line bracket (see picture) VW TC install 01.jpg (536369 bytes) . This can be done by drilling the heads of the rivets off or by grinding with a disk type electric grinder. How ever you do it, EXTREME care must be take here NOT TO DAMAGE THE BRAKE LINE. If you have an early car you will find that the bracket is secured to the frame with the rivets only. If you have a later car you will find that the bracket is welded and riveted to the car. I strongly recommend that you remove the brake line first. This will require that you re-bleed the brake when the project is completed, but it makes the removal of the rivets and drilling of the holes much easier.
  2. Drill the rivet holes out to 3/8 of an inch. Be very careful doing this since the holes must be drilled very straight. If you are just building your car and have access to the inside of the frame this is the preferred direction to drill the holes. VW TC install 02.jpg (297094 bytes) The VW Steering Bracket is supplied with two Allen head bolts.
  3. Note the following picture and be sure the bracket is bolted to the frame in the position VW TC install 03.JPG (478670 bytes) specified.
  4. The completed installation should look like this: VW TC install 04.jpg (329395 bytes)
  5. Please be aware that there is some variation in all TC's. I have made a effort to position these holes as accurately as possible. However! Due to the variation between cars the bolts may simply not line up. If this is the case with your installation then mount the bracket using the top bolt and aligning the bottom bolt hole as closely as possible to the hole in the frame. You can then drill through the existing hole in the frame with your 3/8" drill into and through the bracket itself. This process of course will destroy the threads in the bracket. You can then purchase a standard head 3/8" grade 8 bolt from your local hardware store which is long enough to pass through the frame and the bracket (@3 1/2" should do, but measure the distance to be sure). Secure the new bolt through the frame and bracket with a grade 8 self locking nut. I suggest doing this on the bottom hole since there is more clearance there for a regular headed bolt and the use of an Allen head bolt is not necessary.

Step 4: Fit the VW assembly:

  1. Remove the rubber Exhaust Excluder where the Steering Column passes through the Scuttle.
  2. Place the VW Steering Box in position. This assembly goes in the opposite way that the BC assembly came out. Again use a towel on the fender under the headlight to prevent chipping or scratching the paint.
  3. Check the fit of the VW Steering Box. You may need to add some clearance where the Steering Column passes through the Scuttle. See the pictures below:

  VW TC install 05.jpg (505506 bytes) VW TC install 06.jpg (166155 bytes) VW TC install 07.jpg (288884 bytes) VW TC install 08.jpg (291084 bytes)  

AGAIN! PLEASE NOTE: There is some variation in all TC's. They are not modern cars and the VW steering installation is a very tight fit. You may find that you have to do some modifications to your car in order to fit the steering. I have installed several of these and they are all a bit different. If you have problems with fitting please call me at 719 598-6713.

The last two pictures above show the Steering Column after clearance has been made and the Exhaust Excluder Boot has been re-installed. It is important that the VW Steering Box be positioned as close to the frame rail as possible to add to clearance between the Exhaust Down Pipe/Pitman Arm and between the Steering Column/Starter Motor. See the following three pictures.

VW TC install 09.jpg (478719 bytes) VW TC install 10.JPG (495109 bytes) VW TC install 11.JPG (443557 bytes)

This step will require some effort on your part, but it most certainly can be done. Some cars will be easy, others will be more difficult.

Step 5: Install the VW steering:

  1. Place the box in position.
  2. Install the Steering Box Clamp and snug the bolts securing the VW Steering Box to the round bracket.
  3. Secure the steering column under the facia using the stock clamp. You will find that the VW steering column is a bit larger diameter than the stock column and the clamp will need to be spread just a bit. You will also find that this makes putting it into the bracket a bit difficult too. You may have to spread the bracket slightly also. Once this is all assembled you can tighten the bolt.
  4. Tighten the bolts on the VW steering box clamp. I recommend the use of Blue Lock Tight on these bolts.
  5. Install the VW Pitman arm onto the VW box. The arm can be placed on the shaft either right side up or up side down. Install with the hole for the Drag Link pointing towards the passenger side of the car. VW_TC_Install 12.JPG (287670 bytes) When correctly in position this should appear to wrap around the sump. You can also make sure that the bolt head is towards the frame. Tighten the bolt securely. I also recommend the use of Blue Lock Tight on this bolt.
  6. Replace the steering wheel. You will want to turn the steering shaft and determine the center of travel for the steering box and place the steering wheel on the splined shaft in as close to the center of travel as you can. Do not tighten the bolt on the steering wheel at this time. Make sure the steering wheel is in the straight ahead position and have someone hold it or tie it there.
  7. Adjust the length of the Drag Link to where you can insert the Tie Rod End into the hole in the Pitman Arm. The front wheels should be in the straight ahead position for this. Note that the Tie Rod end hangs down as the stock one did. You may find that your end has a straight shaft and not a tapered one. I believe this is unusual, but it is possible. If yours is straight please give me a call at 719 598-6713. The hole in the Pitman Arm is tapered and should be a snug fit.
  8. Check the straightness of the front wheels and the Steering Wheel and when satisfied tighten the bolt on the Steering Wheel.
  9. If you removed the brake line at the beginning of this process then replace it now and re-bleed the right front brake.
  10. Replace the Right Front Wheel, and remove the Jack Stands.
  11. THAAAAAT'S ALL FOLKS! Check everything again then go for a test drive. Enjoy your steering.