Date: Wed, 18 Sep 2002 07:47:33 -0600
Reply-To: Andrew Fox <afox@CNR.COLOSTATE.EDU>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Andrew Fox <afox@CNR.COLOSTATE.EDU>
Subject: Re: leaking power steering?
In-Reply-To: <4FDA4399DE85B64492288F4C5591C0AC369A7F@NCONORC9>
Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII
A LOT of us have had to replace leaking PS racks. I know in my case and
many others they were running the right fluid. BenT suggests they may be
failing because of too much hydraulic fluid pressure coming from the
pump. Bentley says that the PS pump output is supposed to be around 1500
PSI. I do not know how to test the output pressure of the PS pump but
maybe someone on the list does? Maybe those of us that have had several
PS racks leak should test our pumps? The pump only costs $80 while the
rack is $250, is harder to replace and requires an alignment afterwards
($50).
Thanks,
Andrew Fox
86 Westy on its 3rd PS rack!
On Wed, 18 Sep 2002, Beckham, Chip wrote:
> Does anyone have any PM recommendations for the PS system? (filter change?,
> fluid flush?). Also, if you suspect the wrong fluid may have been added, is
> there relief in a preemptive flush before seal degradation may occur?
>
> Chip Beckham
> 85 GL weekender
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Barry E. Muller [mailto:bmuller@UOFT02.UTOLEDO.EDU]
> Sent: Tuesday, September 17, 2002 5:33 AM
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: Re: leaking power steering?
>
> Hallo Herr Preiss,
>
> Apparently my '91 Carat had the same problem. I say apparently because
> although I usually do most of the owrk on my cars I currently have run out
> of time so I took it to the local dealership for other work and they
> discovered the leaky rack (I knew it was leaking but didn't think it was a
> safety issue - at the time). Bad news for me was that the PO, or more
> likely the local crummy independant VW shop, put in the wrong PS fluid.
> This apparently ate all the seals. As you can imagine I'm still smarting
> from the financial strain this caused (they had to cut off the metal lines
> and replace them too because they were rusted onto the old rack). I hope
> your outcome is just a satisfactory, albeit cheaper.
>
> bem
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Joachim Preiss" <jp0815@EARTHLINK.NET>
> To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
> Sent: Tuesday, September 17, 2002 4:16 PM
> Subject: leaking power steering?
>
>
> > Hi there,
> >
> > Crawled under my 85 westfalia last weekend, and found drops of a red fluid
> on
> > both of the rubber boots on the front axle, and 2 small puddles on the
> ground.
> > I might have found the reason why turning the wheel feels more like
> lifting
> > the beast around the corner rather than power steering.
> >
> > Is power steering fluid red? Am I risking further damage if I keep driving
> > with a leaky power steerer? Most of all: is it safe to drive? Any other
> tips
> > besides: CYFB (Check your f.....g Bently).
> >
> > Thanks!
> > 'chimpy
> >
> > '85 Westfalia 'funagon'
>
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