Safety is of utmost importance to us over here at the Modern Bay Co., it influences our conversion process at nearly every step of the way, from replacing brakes and suspension, to replacing the OEM seatbelts with safer 3 point ones. 



One part that takes a beating, and is often overlooked, but absolutely should NOT be, is the steering coupler. In this video I detail why you should replace your steering coupler, and what parts we use for this job on all of our Subaru conversions here at the shop. 

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00:00 Intro
00:20 PSA
02:19 Part Numbers
03:07 Outro

If you have not checked your steering coupler, it connects your steering column, so your steering wheel connects to your steering column.

At the base of your column this guy connects to your steering box which controls your steering, which way your wheels go or don't go.

So this is what it should look like and likely more or less did look like from the factory.

This is what this 1 looks like now and it's actually...

We always check these and sometimes I'm like I just saved someone's life.

Because they were driving with it like this and all it would take is a sharp bump pothole maybe trying to turn especially if they have bigger tires on there and this could have just ripped through the cords all the way while you have no steering and that's that is honestly just absolutely terrifying.

Oh, the last bus I looked at, I said this is the worst rag joint I've ever seen, but I take it back because I don't even wanna drive home with this guy.

So I always replace these and actually do it just as a matter of course, I don't even charge folks for it who bring their buses into the shop because it just needs to be done, it's a safety issue.

So Here's this guy, these are the good ones.

Here's, I mean just so you guys have it if you need it.

Honestly I forget, I have, I order in bulk and I have a lot of different sources.

This may have been JBUGS actually, I'm not really sure.

I also always replace the crusty OG hardware so I don't know if you can see that little original lock nut.

I mean stuff like bolts is still good but you're gonna do it, do it once, do it right and make it look nice so I'll just give you this real quick so these are the bolts that I use flange head bolts these are the nuts that I use Bellmetric shout out Bellmetric's fantastic and then little wave washers right there so I hope this helps you guys like I said just a little quick PSA replace your steering coupler coupler coupler your steering coupler if you have not yet at least check it out Make sure it doesn't look like this, old crusty guy.

See, I had a cool ending in my head, but that didn't actually come out of my mouth.


Speaker 0: Today's PSA, a little tidbit. If you have not checked your steering coupler, it connects your steering column, so your steering wheel connects to your steering column. At the base of your column this guy connects to your steering box which controls your steering, which way your wheels go or don't go. So this is what it should look like and likely more or less did look like from the factory. This is what this 1 looks like now and it's actually...

There we go. So I am extremely, extremely thankful. We always check these and sometimes I'm like I just saved someone's life. Because they were driving with it like this and all it would take is a sharp bump pothole maybe trying to turn especially if they have bigger tires on there and this could have just ripped through the cords all the way while you have no steering and that's that is honestly just absolutely terrifying. Oh my Lord, guys.

Oh, the last bus I looked at, I said this is the worst rag joint I've ever seen, but I take it back because I don't even wanna drive home with this guy. So I always replace these and actually do it just as a matter of course, I don't even charge folks for it who bring their buses into the shop because it just needs to be done, it's a safety issue. So Here's this guy, these are the good ones. Here's, I mean just so you guys have it if you need it. There's the part number from that guy.

I forget where I got this, BBT. Honestly I forget, I have, I order in bulk and I have a lot of different sources. This may have been JBUGS actually, I'm not really sure. I also always replace the crusty OG hardware so I don't know if you can see that little original lock nut. I mean stuff like bolts is still good but you're gonna do it, do it once, do it right and make it look nice so I'll just give you this real quick so these are the bolts that I use flange head bolts these are the nuts that I use Bellmetric shout out Bellmetric's fantastic and then little wave washers right there so I hope this helps you guys like I said just a little quick PSA replace your steering coupler coupler coupler your steering coupler if you have not yet at least check it out Make sure it doesn't look like this, old crusty guy.

And safe travels as you go. See, I had a cool ending in my head, but that didn't actually come out of my mouth. So yeah, happy coupling. That was super cool. All right, glad to end it on that.

Thanks guys, see ya. ♪♪♪ 🎵 🎵

See all The Modern Bay Co. VW Subaru Conversion Specialist transcripts on Youtube

SAFETY PSA | Check for this on your Volkswagen Bay Window Bus