I was considering changing my 83 Westy over from Manual to Power Steering and after I got a good look at the 87 donor vehicle I decided that this wasn't going to be worth the trouble. #1) The rack of course is different. #2) The spindles are different #3) The lower control arms are different #4) The steering linkage is different #5) And of course there is the pump and hoses. #6) To top it off the steering wheel on the power steering is smaller diameter. This is about a thirty six beer job .......... if you're determined. Stan Wilder 83 Air Cooled Westfalia On Tue, 11 Jun 2002 05:17:51 -0700 Arlen <manx1342@EARTHLINK.NET> writes: > What with the discussions on converting from power steering to > manual > steering, it has brought up a couple questions that I need to find > answers to. Yes, I am in the process of doing this conversion. I > have > the rack. > > What my research has turned up (the scariest part) is that the > steering > knuckles (part #s from a body shop parts listing) between power and > manual are different. The numbers are the same but the "manual" > ends > with AG, whereas the "power" ends with AH. First question: does > anybody > know what these letters signify? My only thoughts are that the > steering > arms may be a little longer to gain some mechanical advantage. I > would > guess that the rack itself could also have a higher steering ratio, > even > though they are physically the same width (they take the same tie > rods, > boots, etc.). The connector shaft (from the relay steering box back > to > the rack itself) is also different (longer, with a different coupler > at > the rack end, but fits all years). > > Second question: Has anybody ever seen an '87 or newer Vanagon with > manual steering? > > Third (and most important) question: Is any one out there parting > out an > '86 (from 24G120001) or newer that may have these parts for sale? I > do > not need the hubs (drive flanges) or brake rotors. > > Any insights (or hard parts) will be appreciated. > > Arlen > ________________________________________________________________ GET INTERNET ACCESS FROM JUNO! Juno offers FREE or PREMIUM Internet access for less! Join Juno today! For your FREE software, visit: http://dl.www.juno.com/get/web/. |
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