Rubber Steering Coupler - pics of NOS example, what I always thought was wear is actually design Options

[Brian_Boss]

This is somewhat of a continuation of a discussion in the classifieds. Thread here: link

Observations:
1) The steel spacers are not tight in the rubber at either end.
2) The holes are tapered from ~16.25mm at one end to slightly over the 14mm OD of the spacer at the other.
3) The coupler is symmetrical with steel plates bonded to both ends.

Speculation:
1) Most of the ones I have seen, which I thought were worn, are not. Mark expressed the same thought in the other thread.
2) The coupler does not seem to work the way I thought it did. The torque from turning the steering wheel is not transmitted by pressure against the rubber by the bolts/spacers. Since the yokes on the rack and column are clamped solidly to the steel plate on the opposite end of the coupler, the torque is really transmitted by a sheering force on the rubber. The holes in the rubber are relieved to allow some flex without binding.

Pictures of the NOS example

[veltror]

Porsche Classic have started to remake these