Date:         Tue, 16 May 2000 16:09:31 -0700
Reply-To:     Doktor Tim <doktortim@ROCKISLAND.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Doktor Tim <doktortim@ROCKISLAND.COM>
Subject:      Re: 90 Vanagon - Power Steering-Rebuild or Replace?
In-Reply-To:  <l03020901b547a033eda3@[169.207.90.29]>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

At 01:05 PM 05/16/2000 -0500, you wrote:
>Has any one tried to rebuild their power steering pump?  The bus depot
>sells a kit which I think is a rebuild kit for $25-$30.  A new pump is
>$200.  Just wondering what route I should go since I'm pretty sure my pump
>is failing.

If the pump is leaking from the seals, new seals will fix things. If the
pump is low on pressure, look how dirty that fluid is. Same thing that eats
at the seals, in the rack, too. Even though the Bentley does not provide
for periodic change of the P/S fluid, it does not follow in any case that
no maintenance is better than some maintenance, particularly when racks are
running $750US.

I would rate pump rebuilding to be less difficult than carb or distributor
rebuilding. Medium level skill is plenty. They right tools make all the
difference on this job, as in so many others. Use flare wrench or DIN tools
only on the hose fittings.


T.P. Stephens
San Juan Island, WA