Relay / Bevel Box Orientation

[Robsey]

Hi all,

I have googled and Wiki'd for information about the orientation of the steering bevel box in my van -
But I have so far drawn a blank.

My 1983 and 1990 versions of Bentley and my Haynes WBX manuals all seem to have overlooked any fitting detail for the relay unit.

It looks moderately simmetrical, but...
And this is my only 'but'...
The two shafts are lettered A and B.
Are they lettered for a reason?



Does A go towards the column joint or towards the steering rack shaft joint?
Obviously B goes to the other joint.

Any thoughts, or am I over thinking this?

I am going through each part of my 1983 van - stripping, cleaning and painting where required as part of my restoration.

So when I reassemble everything, I want it correct.
I don't want to faff with it again later down the line if I don't need to. (Especially as I am not getting any younger).

[R0B]

Does this help? https://volkswagen.7zap.com/en/rdw/typ+ ... 419-52000/

[Robsey]

Hi Rob,

Thanks for the input.
Unfortunately it doesn't really help with the orientation.
It tells me how it all goes together, but it doesn't tell me which is A and which is B.

Maybe when I come to fitting it up, it may only go into the mount one way.
I will find out that bit tomorrow.
And report back in due course.

[silverbullet]

I suspect that A and B are just production machining markers and the relay box is symmetrical.

[Robsey]

Thanks... you are probably right.

I suspected that I was worrying about nothing.
I must have a touch of ocd or something.

[ZsZ]

From the diagram Rob linked it looks like there is a notch on the round lid, and that is in upright position.
As I can see from your pic that means B is the steering wheel side.
Other than that they are simmetrical also on the inside.

[Robsey]

Oooh yeah...
I see what you mean.

Thanks for that.
I had seen one photo, but not from a Transporter, with it in that orientation.
That was on a "modified" steering relay-box mount set up.

Everyday is a school day.

[ZsZ]

A friend of mine sent me these pictures from a disassembled one:
https://photos.app.goo.gl/N4Rev2zdKFaPexXu7

It looks like it was designed to be repairable but later they made it non repairable. You cannot remove the lid without damage.
 

[Robsey]

Ah yes - I see.
Totally simmetrical internally too.

Mine is quite an old one, so could probably be cleaned and re-greased.
But at the moment is feels nice and smooth.

So as it ain't broke, I won't try to fix it.

[Robsey]

Well it went in fine.
As suggested, there does not seem to be any preferred orientation.



Trial fitted last night whilst I set up the dash for rewiring, including EPAS steering.

[crazydiamond]

Is it possible to re-grease the relay box in situ, the one on my 1982 Aircooled is quite heavy, never been apart. but probably would benefit from new lm grease. I am thinking EPS as well. but unsure about whose to go for.. The syncro could do with EPS as well.

[Robsey]

If it looks like it has a thin metal cap on it,
Similar to a cocoa or paint tin lid, then it can be carefully levered out.
Being an 82 van it should be possible.

I believe later beval boxes are not as easy.

Can it be done in situ???
I cannot see why not, although it may be tricky to get at.

Mine is easy to get to, because half of my front panelling has been cut off as part of my restoration.

[ZsZ]

Is it possible to re-grease the relay box in situ, the one on my 1982 Aircooled is quite heavy, never been apart. but probably would benefit from new lm grease

My friend - whose pics are in my album on the link I posted before - said me that if the seals are removed (can be bought new) then some new grease may can be pushed in with a needle greaser which may push the old grease out.
He also said that some special steering rack grease is needed.

The lid is almost impossible to remove undamaged. But you can make a new cap turned on a lathe.

[crazydiamond]

Thanks for replys guys. What do you think of the idea of putting a grease nipple into the cap and pumping grease in through it? as its an old relay box I imagine that the old grease might squirt out through the bushes? What grease should I use (make etc)

[multisi]

How do you know its the relay box that is a problem, a van without power steering is hard work.