Date:         Thu, 26 Jan 2006 21:13:55 +0000
Reply-To:     joe trussell <vanagongl@HOTMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         joe trussell <vanagongl@HOTMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Re: Leaking PS fluid, replace rack or just seals?
Comments: To: collum@VERIZON.NET
In-Reply-To:  <43D9118C.7020401@verizon.net>
Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed

It all fit together perfectly on mine, but now I'm wondering if I did
something wrong...

I took the manual rack w/the knuckles and lower steering rod (the one that
connects up to that U-joint by the radiator) from the yard.  I put on new
tie rods.  The whole thing bolted up and steered perfectly for the 10k miles
I drove it before selling.  With more leverage on the steering wheel, I
actually found that it steered a bit easier than it did with power.

I jacked up the front end in the driveway, used a pickle fork on the tie
rods, removed the spare tire and the windsheild washer resevior, and had
enough room to work and get it done.  There were some tight spaces, but it's
a wrench job and took me about four hours or so.

By the way, I've still got that leaky old PS rack under a pile in the garage
somewhere...It's free to anybody who wants to come get it!

Joe T.
Denver

>From: Mike Collum <collum@VERIZON.NET>
>Reply-To: Mike Collum <collum@VERIZON.NET>
>To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
>Subject: Re: Leaking PS fluid, replace rack or just seals?
>Date: Thu, 26 Jan 2006 13:14:36 -0500
>
>I lost the belt on my '85 once and I could immediately tell the
>difference.  It sounds like your power steering wasn't working right
>before you lost the belt.
>
>If my power steering rack ever goes out I'll definitely repair or
>replace with another power steering rack.
>
>The geometry is different with the power steering models.  If you put in
>a standard rack and don't change the steering knuckles the van will be
>harder to steer than factory standard steering models.  Also, the
>coupler from the steering shaft to the rack is different and would have
>to be changed.
>
>If one should go the other way and change a standard rack to a power
>rack and leave the standard steering knuckles in there ... the van will
>be a bit easier to steer than a factory power steering model (more turns
>of the steering wheel from lock to lock).
>
>Mike
>
>
>
>Edward Maglott wrote:
>>To switch from power steering to manual on a 86+ van, what do you need to
>>replace other than the rack?  Is it just the tie rods?
>>
>>BTW, I had my belt fly off on a trip a few years ago.  I drove about 300
>>miles and didnt' even notice that it was missing.  Even in parking lots.
>>The thing that clued me in was the lack of whining from the PS pump that
>>I've had since owning the van.
>>
>>Thanks,
>>Edward
>>
>>
>>
>>>You can put the manual type (larger) steering wheel on a van equiped
>>>with power steering.  It'll actually make steering a bit easier as
>>>there's more leverage.
>>>
>>>Mike
>>>'84 GL 7 pass (standard steering)
>>>'85 GL Westy (power steering)
>>>
>>>
>>>Mike Frost wrote:
>>>
>>>>Ok now I am starting to think manual steering is a good idea. I have
>>>>always
>>
>>

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