Date:         Thu, 26 Oct 2000 13:24:50 -0700
Reply-To:     Don Preston <donpre@MICROSOFT.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Don Preston <donpre@MICROSOFT.COM>
Subject:      Re: Power Steering Used as Manual Steering

Dana,

About a year ago I decided to have the steering rack on my '87 Wolfy looked
at. When I pulled into the shop and the mechanic took a look at it, he
asked, "Did you drive this in here?"
"Of course", I said.
"The shaft gears are completely toast", he said.
"Oh my God, I just got back from SLC yesterday! That's 2000 miles round
trip!"
"You lucky bastard", he said.....
He put the van on a lift and proceeded to show me what happens to the power
steering rack when it doesn't get the required fluids.
See, my van's steering pump was bad when I her. But I drove on it for about
2 years before having it looked at.

So, lesson to be learned? Power steering racks sure for power steering. They
will wear out Very fast if not lubricated properly, and that could cause a
major accident (imagine your bus taking off in it's own direction at
60+mph!!)

I had the mechanic convert the powered rack to a standard, unassisted rack
from VW. I love it. Super stable, and turns nice and easy. But, it did cost
me about $1300 with parts and labor.

So, there's my 2c.

Lates,

Don Preston


-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com]On Behalf
Of Dana Morphew
Sent: Thursday, October 26, 2000 11:29 AM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Power Steering Used as Manual Steering


I'm getting about ready to install my type RV engine from an '89 Jetta
into my '90 Vanagon.

I have carefully cut off the mount for the power steering fluid
reservoir.  It was right where the rear end of the right engine carrier
will attach.  I want to use the power steering rack the Vanagon came
with but not have a pump providing assist.  The wheels are manageably
turnable without the power assist even when using the original, smaller
diameter, steering wheel and at a standstill.  I'm leaving the supply
and return lines in place though, so I can reengineer a powered setup if
desired.

Will I damage any part of the power steering rack by using it as a
manual system?  Does the power steering fluid provide necessary
lubrication to steering parts in the front end?

Thank you for your advice and comments.

-Dana-