> Well, it isn't consensus (yet) but at least a BTDT answer >(not on a vanagon, but hydraulics are hydraulics... up to a point. >:-) Thanks for the useful input! > > I'm amazed how many people feel free to comment with >theories, anecdotes and urban legends...but no direct experience. :-/ It is possible to have a realistic idea as to something like this without redcourse to urban myth etc... whether assisted or not, a steering rack is merely a flat gear being pushed from side to side by a fixed-position circular gear. It is well-greased (or darn well should be!) in both cases, and works in exactly the same way. So think about it... how can lack of assistance hurt a powered rack? Any stress points will be upstream of the pinion... ie stressed may be the driver, wheel, steering column & u-joints, but the rack and pinion will be under no abnormal stresses. The weakest link by far will be the driver's arms! -- Andrew Grebneff Dunedin New Zealand Fossil preparator <andrew.grebneff@stonebow.otago.ac.nz> Seashell, Macintosh, VW/Toyota van nut |
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