71-74 super beetle steering box (new or rebiilt?)

[super vw]

Well, i just dug into my steering system and have replaced evertything BUT the steering box and u-joint. the other day i tore those off the car to inspect and clean them, aswell as gain access to clean, and re undercoat in there.

Anyways, upon inspection i noticed the u-joint was STIFF (very hard to move) at one end (the bottom). And there was NO boots on the u-joints (no wonder they failed). The steering box itself has some tight spots along its travel, aswell as having LOTS of play, i have tried to adjust the small adjustment, not the large (dont have tools for that)... nothing helped.

SO... i then went out back to take the box and u-joint from my 72 super parts car. just about the same story. the box on the 72 was loose, but had no tight spots. the u-joint was nicer but was starting to get stiff at the bottom aswell. So nothing i want to use.


The question is, do i buy a new box? I was thinking about geting a rebuilt one aswell but wasnt sure if a rebuilt one is the way to go? do rebuilt ones last just as long and perform just as well as a new one(thats $320 bucks)

I was thinking about geting a new u-joint and boots, as they are not to spendy (around $85 for the u-joint and boots, from CIP1.

Thanks,
Jonathan

I always buy new when available and rebuilt second, the only other option is used.