fitting a non adjustable steering column (how-to)

[C.P 0]

i'm glad i looked at this thread. My steering column trim is cracked and it squeaks like crazy. It's been driving me nuts! now i have the part no's to get sum brand new pieces :D

[VRTrickster 0]

Ive got a bit of a problem. Im in the process of going fixed. I have the parts stripped of the polo column but the spline adapter is damaged too much to use it!

Do I order a polo adapter as I looked at the corrado one and its different? On etka both part numbers for the adapter are the same for adjustable and fixed column?

[Oliver2 0]

I was wondering the same thing when looking at parts? there is both a 45mm and 26mm adaptor in ETKA, which one does the fixed column use?

[dragon green 5]

the fixed column is exactly the same as the adjustable column !

i have an aftermath wheel and boss on mine, it fitted straight on the column,as does the Corrado splined adaptor

[VRTrickster 0]

So I should be able to take the adapter off the corrado one and fit it to the polo column? The only thing is it looks different in length? My polo rack is off a 94.

[dragon green 5]

So I should be able to take the adapter off the corrado one and fit it to the polo column? The only thing is it looks different in length? My polo rack is off a 94.

yes you should be able to,there didnt seem to be as much thread as the adjustable column,i just left the thick washer off !

[veedub16v 0]

is there any reason the old column can't be repaired? just seems like a lot of work to me for a bit of play

[davidwort 0]

firstly, the adjustable column isn't a great design and will always feel like it's got more play in than a fixed column, and secondly, the joint that provides the height adjustment is a specially designed item and riveted or pressed in as part of the whole column, I'm not saying it couldn't be rebuilt, but you'd need some specialist pressing and machining tools and to get components fabricated.

If you really want an adjustable column then at least one person has made up brackets to fit an entire mk4 golf column, then you get height and reach adjustment, but that's a lot more involved.

[veedub16v 0]

ah fair enough. luckily my column is nice and firm so no need at the moment.

[peteg40 0]

can you not remove the whole steering lock rather than drilling the lock? and reuse?

[Supercharged 2]

Pete - No, the reason being the lock housing is different between adjustable and non-adjustable.

[hodaz 0]

Will any 6n shape Polo rack do or does it have to be from that specific year?

[davidwort 0]

what you need is the polo column with separate UJ (as the corrado UJ is needed instead), late polos use an integrated UJ

 

you are looking for polos up to chassis no. 6N-V-300 000 (up to around 1995), after this chassis no. columns will have the integrated UJ which cannot be used on the Corrado.

 

you need this type:

2.8l 24v Climatronic system.pdfpolo_column1.jpg[/attachment:3tt1pwiy]

 

NOT this type:

polo_column2.jpg[/attachment:3tt1pwiy]

[Dan_Storm 0]

Sorry to resurrect an old thread. My steering is not what it used to be and I'm getting a clicking/clonking from the top UJ of the column.

 

Does anyone know if the replacement procedure is identical if a fixed Corrado column is used rather than a Polo column? Are the part requirements the same other than the column itself?

 

As the cost of a new fixed column from the dealers isn't too bad I was thinking of buying new. Presumably I'd need to buy the the larger spring also?

[Supercharged 2]

Dan - the Polo column David shows above is the Corrado one - 535 part number... it was around £70 when I bought mine a few years ago.

 

You need a few other bits like lock housing, sleeve, new ign switch, bearing, spring, plastic cowling - all in it comes to around £200

[Dan_Storm 0]

Thanks Supercharged, don't suppose you have the part numbers for the lock housing, bearing and spring?

[davidwort 0]

I've updated the original 2 postings with details of all part numbers (springs, washers etc.) and a parts diagram should anyone want to buy all new parts.

I still recommend getting a mk4/6N polo (to '95) column second hand as it comes with all the bits you need (bar the outer tube) and they don't really wear at all.

[Dan_Storm 0]

Thanks David. Great info!

[Fulltimejunglist 0]

Easy mate, ive jsut taken the plug off the back of the steering wheel, i know this does indicators/hazards/horn not sure of what else it powers, im currently chaning my hazard switch as the one on y steering wheel (on the top) is usless and gets stuck, ive bought a new hazard switch which im going to move to my dash (Easier acess ad will solve my problem) There are 7 wires all numberd, from what ive found out i think the 3rd and 7th are my indicators number 2 is my hazards and 1 is my horn i think, when i have my hazards on its flickers my sterio on and off whan the lights flash, do you know why this would happen and do you know which wires are the hazard wires which i can disconnect and stick the onto my new hazard switch, also i know this was due to ebing too eager but i cut some of them and if i need to put them back in, how do i remove the metal pins from the electrical plus, so i can put them back in without damaging the plastic plug?

 

Sorry mate, its jsut i know youl have come across these whilst doing this conversion.

 

thanks, regards Aidan.

[alip_corrado 0]

Hi, looks like a great mod to do and there is a P Reg (96 - 97) polo saloon in my local scrapyard. I've had a look and the UJ is definitely bolted onto the column and not integrated. Should this be OK for the job? The chassis number is WVWZZZ6KZVR012336 if that helps? :shrug:

[davidwort 0]

yup, isounds good, and it should be height adjustable (but not like the Corrado), the whole tube/column pivots on the UJ and is lowered and raised on it's bracket.

[Dox 23]

once the new fixed column is assembled it can now be installed in the car, I found the attaching of the UJ a bit of a struggle as the spring needs to be compressed to allow you to slide the UJ bolt in place, the job could do with 3 hands

 

Could you use cable ties to compress the spring to aid fitting and then cut the ties off once the U/J is bolted on or is the spring not accessable once the column is installed?

[davidwort 0]

TBH doing the job a second time it wasn't really that difficult, I think you'd struggle to get ties on over the column (not sure how snug the spring is over the end of the column), you'd have access to the spring once installed, but I don't think it's really worth faffing about, it should go on fine without and on your own :)

[poll250 0]

Since fitting my fixed column I still have a little noticeable wobble from the top of the column, I bought a replacement top bearing at the time but couldnt find a way to separate the inner fixed shaft from the part where the steering lock/ignition goes.

 

How do you get this apart, and are there any other pieces to replace in this area?

[Rob_B 0]

ive just got a list of prices back from TPS using the parts listed on the first page, but I don't think he could find the corrado specific fixed outer tube part no. 535 419 536, can anyone confirm that is the correct part number please?