Date: Mon, 28 Jun 2004 09:08:41 -0700
Reply-To: mark drillock <drillock@EARTHLINK.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: mark drillock <drillock@EARTHLINK.NET>
Subject: Re: 86 GL Steering Knuckle Mystery
In-Reply-To: <1B4E62C1.62CCDC17.0223814E@aol.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii; format=flowed
The part number in the forging is misleading because both types are the
same forging. After the forging is made, the tapered hole for the tie
rod end is drilled in different positions, depending on PS or non-PS.
Look at the place where the tie rod attaches and you can see that the
flat area there is larger than needed so that the hole can be placed at
either end of the flat area. The far end placement gives more leverage
for manual steering but takes more turns of the steering wheel to get to
the full turning position. The near hole placement lets the PS models
make tighter turns with less movement of the steering wheel.
Mark
Bert Kyzer wrote:
>Which Steering Knuckle part number do I use for my 86 GL power Steering Vanagon? I realize there are 2 different ones, one for power and one for manual steering...but....
>
>According to the VW Dealership part number database, the correct replacement part numbers for a 1986 Vanagon GL with power steering should be as follows (right & left):
>
>251-407-311-AQ ($602.63 by the way)
>251-407-312-AQ (same price)
>
>The part number for the same vehicle with MANUAL steering would be:
>
>251-407-311-AG
>251-407-312-AG
>
>(the same number as for power steering except last two letters)
>
>I have the power steering model, however I noticed my existing steering knuckle is stamped "251-AG" in the forging. Does this mean my Vanagon has the wrong part? I checked another 86 GL with power steering, and it also is stamped "251-AG" I looked very carefully and it is absolutely not a "Q" it is a "G." You can plainly see the number, even with the knuckle installed on the car, just by looking at the part of the knuckle that shows above the tire as you're facing the hubcap.
>
>I've owned this van for 15 years, I really doubt that both steering kuckles were replaced with the wrong ones in the first three years that the first owner had it, and I've never replaced 'em. The odds of the same thing happening to the reference Vanagon seems unlikely.
>
>The dealer just shrugs; "I donno" - my repair shop says they "run into weird things like this all the time with VW part numbers" but have no other explanation.
>
>So, my question is: if I'm going to replace a steering knuckle do I order a 251-G or a 251-Q? In other words, do I go with what was originally physically on the car (and also on an identical car), or go by what the VW Dealer's computer says the part number should be?
>
>BK
>
>
>
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