Date:         Fri, 13 Jun 2003 18:16:29 EDT
Reply-To:     BenTbtstr8@AOL.COM
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Ben T <BenTbtstr8@AOL.COM>
Subject:      Re: Power Steering To No PS Conversion
Comments: To: motorbruce@HOTMAIL.COM
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII"

In a message dated 6/13/2003 7:16:12 AM Pacific Daylight Time,
motorbruce@HOTMAIL.COM writes:

> I know that would be an unusual conversion, but I am interested in REMOVING
> the the power steering system from my '87 Vanagon GL. I'm doing a conversion
> and there doesn't seem to be a good way to keep the power steering pump.
> Soooo, I think I need to convert from power steering to non-power steering.
> I have searched the archive and found nothing. According to ETKA it looks
> like I would need a non-PS rack, tie rods, and a few other parts.
>
> Has anyone ever done this before? Steering systems aren't one of my areas of
> knowledge. Is this conversion a feasible thing to do? Any informed input is
> welcome.

Bruce,

The holes in the knuckles of the no-PS van is in a slightly different spot.
The PS system requires less turns lock-to-lock but requires more effort w/o
assist. The non-PS knuckles increase their lever arm by mounting the tie rod ends
"further" towards the end of the knuckle. They pretty much look like the same
knuckle to me but drilled in a different spot.

I had the reverse of what you are doing performed on one of my vans.

BenT