Date: Mon, 14 Feb 2005 12:48:43 -0800
Reply-To: Matt Barclay <mbarclay@OPENFBO.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Matt Barclay <mbarclay@OPENFBO.COM>
Subject: Re: Replacing the Power Steering Lines
In-Reply-To: <Pine.LNX.4.61.0502110634460.4359@piper>
Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII; format=flowed
I'm back on the road! There's a great auto recycling yard in Arlington,
WA (http://www.findusedparts.com). I picked up the PS pressure and return
line nuts and bolts that I needed. If anyone is interested in the
procedure:
http://wiki.vanagabond.com/bin/view/Vanagon/PowerSteeringHowTo
On another note http://vanagabond.com is running Twiki, software for
creating and editing web pages. Notice the "edit" link on the page. You
can click on that and edit the content. Every time a page is edited and
saved, a new version is created and the old version is archived. I'd like
to invite anyone who finds this useful to take a look at vanagabond.com
and add content. You can upload pics of your van, keep a journal of your
trips/maintenance, or write How To's. Feel free to edit any content you
find on the site. TWiki software is meant to encourage open
collaboration. To learn how it works, see this page:
http://wiki.vanagabond.com/bin/view/TWiki/WelcomeGuest
Regards,
Matt
On Fri, 11 Feb 2005, Matt Barclay wrote:
> From: Matt Barclay <mbarclay@OPENFBO.COM>
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: Re: Replacing the Power Steering Lines
> Date: Fri, 11 Feb 2005 06:44:10 -0800
>
> In the final steps of completing this job, I believe I confused the
> pressure and return lines. Pictured here is the return line, correct?
>
> http://gallery.openfbo.com/powersteering/IMG_3438
>
> If so, that's what I was afraid of. Right after taking that picture, I
> removed that stub of a line and took it to an aviation mechanic friend of
> mine who used a torch to heat it up and separate the coupler from the
> line. In the process, the threads on the nut and coupler were destroyed.
> I thought it was just the pressure line, so I ordered another coupler and
> installed it last night. To my horror, I found that the new pressure hose
> would only fit the forward port on the rack. So basically, I could have
> just clamped the return line onto the stub in the picture and installed
> the pressure hose without ordering any new parts. Now I have to find a
> new nut to use on that line so I can clamp to it. Anyone have one to
> spare?
>
> Sigh.
>
> Matt
>
> On Fri, 11 Feb 2005, Frank Condelli wrote:
>
>> From: Frank Condelli <RAlanen@AOL.COM>
>> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
>> Subject: Re: Replacing the Power Steering Lines
>> Date: Fri, 11 Feb 2005 06:25:40 EST
>>
>> In a message dated 10/02/2005 4:14:53 PM Eastern Standard Time,
>> LISTSERV@GERRY.VANAGON.COM writes:
>>
>> The hardest part has been finding the
>> leverage to turn the old, rusted parts, and having the patience to see it
>> through.
>>
>>
>> Matt, you hit the nail on the head with that statement. It just keeps
>> getting worse. Some days I keep asking why I want to work on these old
>> rusted
>> junkers. I just got done cleaning up the mess I found behind the leaking
>> gas
>> tank of my '87 Westy. If you think there's no rust on your Westy, remove
>> the
>> tank and take a look. You won't believe what's hidden on the other side.
>> Hydraulic clutch and brake lines so rusted that touching them made them
>> leak and
>> they were not leaking before lowering the tank. Lucky me got to replace
>> some
>> hydraulic lines ! Every try using a flaring tool under the van with
>> hardly
>> any space to move ? Also thought it a good idea to remove and clean the
>> brake equaliser that's stuffed up on the frame near the rack. Bet some of
>> you
>> didn't even know you had one of them. Wanna see how much crud I found
>> inside,
>> no, I bet you don't. Anyways, that got cleaned up and replaced. Then I
>> spent the pretty much the rest of the week scraping, prepping and POR-15ing
>> the
>> space and components behind the fuel tank. Nice job tying to get liquids
>> to
>> go up ! Ha ! Well, I've not got myself and work clothes pretty well rust
>> proofed anyways. But, it sure looks nice all shiny black waiting for the
>> new
>> tank to arrive. It too will get POR-15ed before installing. No more
>> visits
>> to the fuel tank and beyond for this Westy ! Just as a side note this it
>> this Westy's third fuel tank. The original was replaced under warranty
>> back in
>> Edmonton, AB when owned by the original owner !
>>
>> BTW, glad you got through the power steering hose repair. Yes, that
>> coupling on the rack can be a PITA. Heat and two long handled tight
>> fitting
>> wrenched seem to have worked for me so far as I've not wrecked one yet but
>> I'm
>> sure my turn is coming.
>>
>> Maybe we should go buy one of them there brandy new Sprinters with no
>> rust ?!!?
>>
>>
>> Cheers,
>>
>> Frank Condelli
>> Almonte, Ontario, Canada
>> _BusFusion_ (http://members.aol.com/BusFusion/bfhome.htm) a VW Camper
>> camping event, Almonte, ON, June 09 ~ 12, 2005
>> '87 Westy, '90 Carat & Lionel Trains
>> Member: _Vanagon List_ (http://www.vanagon.com/) , _LiMBO_
>> (http://www.bcn.net/~limbo/) , _IWCCC_ (http://www.westfalia.qc.ca/) &
>> _CCVWC_
>> (http://www.ccvwc.ca/)
>> Vanagon/Vanagon Westfalia Service in the Ottawa Valley
>> _STEBRO/Vanagon Stainless Steel Mufflers_
>> (http://members.aol.com/Fkc43/stebro.htm)
>> _Frank Condelli & Associates_ (http://members.aol.com/Fkc43/busindex.html)
>> or http://frankcondelli.com
>>
>
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