Date:         Mon, 13 May 2002 17:21:46 -0500
Reply-To:     John Rodgers <j_rodgers@CHARTER.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         John Rodgers <j_rodgers@CHARTER.NET>
Subject:      Re: rebuilding p/s rack
Comments: To: Steve Sandlin <vwcarlocks@HOTMAIL.COM>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii

Steve Sandlin wrote:

> Has anyone gone through a reseal on a power steering rack? I've got the seal
> kit, but haven't yet taken the rack off to start the project.  Having second
> thoughts since the Bentley says nothing.  Looking for someone who's done it
> to tell me the difficulty or anything to beware.

Steve, I didn't do mine hands on, but I had it done on my 85GL by a friend who
was a VW dealer mechanic.

I didn't see anything difficult about it EXCEPT getting the retaining ring off
the end of the barrel. It takes a special spanner wrench with little tangs that
fit down into slots. My friend used the old hammer and punch method at home,
since there was no spanner available. While the rest of the job ws easy, he did
succeed in breaking the cast aluminum lock ring. He is very good with mig
welding, and had it welded back together in no time. Ran it 100000 miles after
that and never any trouble.

The lock ring is a bitch. Suggest you go to the trouble of making a wrench
instead of the punch and hammer method.

John Rodgers
88 GL Driver