steering wheel lock nut keeps coming gloose

The nut that keeps my steering wheel hub pressed down on the column spline keeps working loose after very few turns of the steering wheel - after only about 3 or 4 turns in fact.
It's always done this - I've regularly tightened it every now and then which was a tolerable pain but it now works loose very quickly and whilst I keep telling myself that as long as I dont pull the wheel towards myself and in fact apply forward pressure once it has worked a little loose and the wheel can be wobbled from side to side, the wheel wont come off but it is always a little alarming and it should not be happening of course.
Does anyone know why and if it can be fixed.
Am I missing a part to keep it locked?
thanks
Ben
 

Are we talking aftermarket boss and wheel or standard VW wheel?

You do have the belleville or curved washer under the nut?, and when you tighten it you tighten it fully and a 1/2 turn or a goodly smack? The torque is 37lbs non-airbag.

Never had this. Agian I'm assuming its some 3rd party concoction of parts never intend to work together or fit on a MK1?

Otherwise swing on it with a long extension bar

I'd replace the nut.
On the more modern VW's it's recommended to replace after the 5th removal.

Admittedly the newer ones are a splined bolt rather than a nut but I'd still replace

WATERNAIR said

I'd replace the nut.
On the more modern VW's it's recommended to replace after the 5th removal.

Admittedly the newer ones are a splined bolt rather than a nut but I'd still replace

Newer as in 95 or greater? As I have had my steering wheels off and one over 5 times on my Cabbies, and never have had one come loose, (mine are oem air-bag) as long as that Belleville washer is under the nut.
If it isn't then I would suspect that the movement of the wheel on the nut allows it to loosen….as there isn't a washer under it to 1.lock it in place, and 2. to prevent it from loosening to the action of the steering wheel, and I didn't even notice it on my 89.

Briano1234 yep, I'm thinking about 98 onwards.

Might be worth checking the thread on the column itself, just check for wear.

hi all,

sorry for the delay but thanks for all the advice.

first up there is no washer under the nut and i've got an aftermarket nardi wheel which has to connect via a quick release steering wheel boss and it is the boss that keeps coming loose.

i think i recall the washer but because of the depth of the boss i think I left out the washer.

i've now bought and await an original mk1 wheel so i will have a look for the washer in my golf bit and pieces boxes.

sounds like job done but will update here with the outcome

thanks again.

ben

I can't find the belleville washer in my boxes here and whilst google returns plenty of responses to my query 'golf mk1 steering wheel belleville washer' (and variants) of places where I can buy (I'm guessing based on the nut) an M16 belleville washer, I've not come across any that mention a golf which surprises me.

does anyone know the part number or failing that what thickness hold I aim for please?

thanks
ben

N90550002 is the replacement nut for older non-airbagged wheels has the washer built in.

90 ish airbagged is not listed, as the Steering shaft is under the steering section while the Airbagged is under the Electrical, and doesn't show the part….  I suspect that if you take and measure the nut diameter of the hole then a good bellville washer the same diameter will work, I don't think that if you stay with a small thickness it will matter too much or go for the newer style as it lists the same replacement for the 90's as it does for the 85 as far as nut and washer goes.

The Etka is a good source to have, so I suggest bookmarking it.

https://volkswagen.7zap.com/en/rdw/