Blower replacement and few non-standard questions ...

[T-3PO]

If, while on holiday, you've just given a kid his first real Lego and then a day later the fan blower stops working and you notice pieces of the Lego are missing would you think he's propably dropped some down the vents and jammed it up???? So out comes the instruments, dash etc etc etc only to find that the fans seized up and he had nothing to do with it after all Sorry mate, at least I didn't shout at you ... much

Anyway, as most things on the van do, one job leads to a few questions that I can't find the answers to, so ...

Whats the point of the shear bolts on the steering column? The bottoms held in by normal bolts anyway! Do I need to re-use these bolts or buy new ones or can I use "any old bolt"?

Without smashing it to pieces is there an easy way to get the heater box open if I want to replace the blower motor? Thankfully I've managed to free it off and it appears to work OK now but in the future if it packs up again ...

Any ideas what this connector is for? I found it taped to the loom on the same side as the hazard and fog light switch and is label up as 321971837



I'm sorta hoping it's for the rear wash/wipe and if it is any ideas how much of the corresponding wiring will be at the back of the van? I've had the tailgate panel off in the past and don't remember seeing any loose wiring in there so now wondering where the wiring gets to.


Would it be worth getting/having/making poly bushes for the lower steering coupling and would this help to improve the steering as well as the poly bushes on the steering rack box?



... or is it worth replacing them while the thing is in pieces?



Also how do you add something to the Wiki? It says in there "Find red/black wire that goes from heater switch into loom and snip it." No need cut anything if you pull the plug off the back of the switch you can remove it by putting a small screwdriver down the back of the terminal and giving it a wiggle/push.





And finally thanks to those who had input into the wiki on this, there's some good advice in there ... I would never have thought to look at tidying up the wiring and glad I did as the cowboy who put the stereo in had wired up the live to one of sensors under the master cyclinder ... Yee-f**k**g-Haa!!!


cheers

Mike

[fullsunian]

Hi the shear bolts are there to stop scum bags unbolting the steering lock and nicking your pride and joy. Most car maker, if not all use them on steering locks.
IAN

[Titus A Duxass]

Re: Polybushes
I've just had a complete set of PowerFlex bushes fitted to mine (along with new shocks) and it has transformed the handling.

[CovKid]

Aren't the shear bolts there as part of the VW concept of a steering column that pulls/snaps away in a big accident? The beetle was designed to do that - would seem odd for VW to give up on that idea.

Also, freeing off the blower may well give you many more years of useful service - worry about it if you encounter problems again. Don't know of anyone who has had to do it twice though.

[fullsunian]

Aren't the shear bolts there as part of the VW concept of a steering column that pulls/snaps away in a big accident? The beetle was designed to do that - would seem odd for VW to give up on that idea.

Also, freeing off the blower may well give you many more years of useful service - worry about it if you encounter problems again. Don't know of anyone who has had to do it twice though.

Maybe we are talking about very different shear bolts...I was on about ones the hold the steering lock assy on
IAN

[T-3PO]

Titus : Have fitted lower steering rack ones, really suprised at the difference it made to the steering 'specially with 205/60/16 tyres. Did you manage to get poly for the bushes in the pic then?


Covkid : Wouldn't have thought that was the case ... could wrong though! They look more a like the type of bolt that the head shears off when they're done up and hit a certain torque rather than designed to shear in the event of an accident.
Here's hoping the blower stays working for the next X years ... I've no plans to sell the van anytime soon!!!

[nbennetta]

This may not be that helpful, but I found a web page, (but can't find the link) that had a brilliant photographic set of instructions for undertaking this whole job, it was in a great deal of detail. As I say not much help, but if you do a search I am sure something will turn up.

[Novice in need]

Hiya T-P30

That wire with THE connector i think has something to do wth the front lights and dash dimming switch as i have just today taken my dashboard off and had to pull the connectors off the switches as you do and thats defo what came off my control switch which operate them.

Hope this helps!

[Cruz]

Would it be worth getting/having/making poly bushes for the lower steering coupling and would this help to improve the steering as well as the poly bushes on the steering rack box?

viewtopic.php?f=37&t=72231&hilit=steering+column+bushes&start=15#p7518192

and http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a37rRKQo0fk

Just replace those rubber bushes for standard ones. JK are the only place that sell them. It transformed my handling as even after replacing all my suspension bushes with polybushes I still had loads of play in the steering wheel because those bushes on the column were oval.

http://www.justkampers.com/shop/steerin ... 10271.html


Also look at changing the steering coupling square at the base of the column in the cab under the dome shaped rubber boot. Mine was cracked like buggery. There are also 2 more under the van on the steering mechanism before it reaches the steering rack. Check those too

http://www.justkampers.com/shop/steerin ... 10165.html

Brickwerks sell it too.

http://www.brickwerks.co.uk/index.php?p ... t&Itemid=3

[ghost123uk]

Don't know of anyone who has had to do it twice though.

You do now

[edoh]

whoops!

the 'dash removal picture page thing' -

http://www.benplace.com/dash.htm

[ghost123uk]

whoops!

the 'dash removal picture page thing' -

http://www.benplace.com/dash.htm

Ohh, that is so handy (along with our wiki entry of course )

Thanks for posting the link

[jtwhitestar]

just doing my blower and the connecter is the rear windscreen de-mister
hope that helps

[kevtherev]

whoops!

the 'dash removal picture page thing' -

http://www.benplace.com/dash.htm

Nice one mate ... good spot