{"product_id":"early-vw-type-1-rebuilt-german-steering-box-pre-1961-beetle-ghia","title":"Rebuilt German Worm \u0026 Roller Steering Box | Porsche 356 Pre-A\/356A \u0026 Pre-1961 VW Beetle \u0026 Ghia","description":"\u003ch2\u003e\u003cb\u003ePorsche 356 \u0026amp; VW Type 1 Steering Box — Rebuilt Genuine German Worm \u0026amp; Roller Gearbox\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is the correct early \u003cb\u003eworm-and-roller steering box for the Porsche 356\u003c\/b\u003e — the very same VW-designed gearbox Porsche fitted to its earliest cars before the switch to ZF. Porsche built the first 356 on Volkswagen underpinnings, and the \u003cb\u003e356 Pre-A\u003c\/b\u003e and \u003cb\u003e356A (up to September 1957)\u003c\/b\u003e used this VW-type steering box. If you are restoring a genuine 356, or building a 356 Speedster or 550 Spyder replica on a VW-based front beam, this is the period-correct, drive-it-anywhere unit that gives back the crisp, connected steering feel these cars are famous for.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEvery box is a professionally rebuilt, \u003cb\u003egenuine German casting\u003c\/b\u003e — not a vague, stiff overseas reproduction. We strip each unit to the core and remachine it to factory specification, eliminating decades of wear, \"dead spots,\" and on-center slop so your Porsche or Volkswagen tracks straight and turns in precisely.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cb\u003eVehicle Fitment\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003ePorsche 356 \"Pre-A\" (1948–1955):\u003c\/b\u003e 356\/1100, 1300, 1500, 1500 S Coupe, Cabriolet, Speedster — original VW-type worm \u0026amp; roller box.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003ePorsche 356 A (1955–9\/1957):\u003c\/b\u003e 1600 \/ 1600 S Coupe, Cabriolet, Speedster — correct through the ZF changeover (approx. Sept 1957).\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003ePorsche 356 Speedster \u0026amp; 550 Spyder Replicas (all years):\u003c\/b\u003e On a VW-based front beam — direct bolt-in, same worm-gear apparatus.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eVW Type 1 Beetle (1950–1960):\u003c\/b\u003e Sedan \u0026amp; Cabriolet — early \"large\" output shaft, swing-axle \/ link-pin.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eVW Karmann Ghia (1955–1960):\u003c\/b\u003e Pre-1961 application.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eNote for genuine-Porsche owners: late 356 A (after ~9\/1957), 356 B and 356 C cars used a ZF worm-and-peg box and are not the application for this unit. If you are matching a numbers-correct car, confirm your drop-arm spline and mounting before ordering — we're happy to help you verify fitment.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cb\u003eWhy Choose This Steering Box?\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt is built on an authentic German casting bearing the original VW \"VW\" and \"D\" foundry markings — essential for period-correct 356 and Type 1 restorations — and rebuilt to a rigorous standard rather than replaced with a stiff reproduction.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cb\u003eThe Rebuild Process\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003ePrecision Machining:\u003c\/b\u003e Input and sector shafts are polished and lathe-machined; the worm gear is lathe-machined to remove all pitting for a glass-smooth interface with the roller\/peg.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eInternal Component Refresh:\u003c\/b\u003e All internal bearings and cups are replaced with premium new components for frictionless rotation.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eHousing Restoration:\u003c\/b\u003e The original German casting is sand-blasted to bare metal, then finished in a durable, period-correct coating.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eLeak-Proof Engineering:\u003c\/b\u003e New seals on both the input and sector shafts, plus a new sector shaft bushing to eliminate lateral \"slop.\"\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eHigh-Pressure Lubrication:\u003c\/b\u003e Hand-assembled and filled with 00 Grease (Corn Header Grease), which clings to the gears under pressure.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eBench-Tested Calibration:\u003c\/b\u003e Each box is adjusted to factory specification on the bench, indexed with zero play on center.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cb\u003eKey Features \u0026amp; Benefits\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eAuthentic German Casting:\u003c\/b\u003e Original VW \"VW\" and \"D\" markings — period-correct for Porsche 356 and VW restorations.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eCorrect Early Design:\u003c\/b\u003e Worm-and-roller architecture used by Porsche 356 Pre-A \/ 356A and pre-1961 VW Type 1 (swing-axle \/ link-pin).\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eZero-Play Center:\u003c\/b\u003e Expertly shimmed and adjusted for a crisp, on-center feel.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eInstallation Ready:\u003c\/b\u003e Pre-filled with lubricant and includes the sector shaft adjustment hardware, ready to bolt in.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cb\u003eTechnical Specifications\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eType:\u003c\/b\u003e Worm-and-roller steering box\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eCasting:\u003c\/b\u003e Genuine German, original VW \"VW\" and \"D\" foundry markings\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eCondition:\u003c\/b\u003e Professionally rebuilt to factory specification\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eLubricant:\u003c\/b\u003e Pre-filled with 00 Grease (Corn Header Grease)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eIncluded:\u003c\/b\u003e Sector shaft adjustment hardware\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cb\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eDoes this steering box fit a Porsche 356?\u003c\/b\u003e Yes. It is the correct VW-type worm-and-roller steering box used on the Porsche 356 Pre-A and 356 A up to approximately September 1957, and it bolts directly into VW-based 356 Speedster and 550 Spyder replicas.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eIs the Porsche 356 steering box the same as a VW steering box?\u003c\/b\u003e On the early cars, yes. Porsche sourced this worm-and-roller gearbox from Volkswagen for the Pre-A and early 356 A, so the same rebuilt German unit serves both marques. Porsche later moved to a ZF worm-and-peg box on the 356 B and 356 C.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eWhich VW models does it fit?\u003c\/b\u003e Pre-1961 VW Type 1 Beetle (sedan and cabriolet) and Karmann Ghia with the early large-output-shaft, swing-axle \/ link-pin front end.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eIs it rebuilt or new?\u003c\/b\u003e It is a genuine German box, professionally rebuilt to factory specification — remachined worm gear, new bearings, seals and sector-shaft bushing, bench-tested for zero play, and pre-filled with 00 grease ready to install.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cb\u003eExplore Related Categories\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/steering\"\u003eSteering\u003c\/a\u003e · \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/porsche-356\"\u003ePorsche 356\u003c\/a\u003e · \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/all-vw-aircooled\"\u003eAll VW Air-Cooled\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Washburn's Metal","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44958207705203,"sku":null,"price":750.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0278\/2760\/1523\/files\/IMG_2973.png?v=1778547367","url":"https:\/\/www.washburnsmetal.com\/products\/early-vw-type-1-rebuilt-german-steering-box-pre-1961-beetle-ghia","provider":"Washburn's Metal","version":"1.0","type":"link"}