Well I went to Fred import south of Nantes, whose name came from the website in earlier post. Not much English spoken but the gist was, not sure what knackered but if he took it apart I may be stuck. He didn't want to touch it. Rang round some other air cooled specialists in region and one south of Angers said I could book it in next week for a week.!! Holiday season for mechanics as well as tourists so is understandable.
I decided to take my chances and limped on to Pornic the Mont saint Michel before catching Le Havre to Pirtsmouth today. Got by to sunny Staffordshire without need to tow truck.
Still has the play and the steering is vague (aren't they all) so I will investigate further now I have tools and garage.
Will let you know what the cause is.
Cheers
Ada

Good news it made it bad under its own power.

Keep calm and carry on...
Lol

Well finally got round to having a look under axle boot (after successful weekend trip out!)
The axle tube has snapped at the semi dome joint
Need to whip it off now and source a replacement.
Kicker is that I gave away my old box on here, to good home otherwise I'd have spares.
Wanted section here I come.
Cheers fellas

Just to make my search easier, can I use a beetle axle tube? If longer I could cut to fit in redux box?
Thanks

I think they're different, with the retainer point won't be there for you.

Ok
Cheers jim

I think it will be more straightforward to just remove and professionally welded.

Probably, as long as you can get it welded so the angle is spot on and no change to the length

There wasn't much damage to the broken edges so it fit together reasonably sweet.

Back together. Haven't tested yet!! Will be grandma driving round corners now,

Will be on look out for axle tubes

Cheers jim