Neil,
  I bought one from Rocky Mountain (now Mid-America) Motorworks,
and it's so hard, that it has practically NO flexibility; it appears to be
made of plastic instead of rubber.  The non-reuseable locknuts should
be available in many places other than the dealer.
  Yours look great, should be fine to re-use.
  However, if you want, new OEM quality are still available;

FEBI Part # 251419417BF
Steering Shaft Coupling    251419417B

USED ON;
      AUDI 4000 CS QUATTRO (1986 - 1987)
      AUDI 4000 S QUATTRO (1984 - 1985)
      VW BEETLE (1954 - 1978)
      VW FASTBACK (1966 - 1973)
      VW KARMANN GHIA (1956 - 1974)
      VW SQUAREBACK (1966 - 1973)
      VW SUPER BEETLE (1971 - 1979)
      VW THING (1973 - 1974)
      VW VANAGON (1980 - 1991)
      VW VANAGON SYNCRO (1986 - 1991)

available for $11.10 each @

http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/raframecatalog.php?a=G-autoparts

Probably for less @ one of our list vendors, though...........

  Mike B.

> http://tubaneil.googlepages.com/steeringcouplers
>
> Is it safe to reuse these?
>
> (with new nuts from what I read. Dealership only item?)
>
> Thanks!
>
> Neil.

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