Date: Wed, 22 Nov 2006 23:32:01 -0500
Reply-To: Kevin Plichta <plichtakevin@HOTMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Kevin Plichta <plichtakevin@HOTMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: hard turning after replacing power steering rack
Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed
I have finally got to the bottom of lack of power steering. It turned out to
be a bad rebuild. After I replaced the pump and drove it for a few days.
Replaced it once again and wow it works.
I have learned many things this past few days!!
Thanks to everyone that gave input.
Kevin Plichta
>From: Kevin Plichta <plichtakevin@HOTMAIL.COM>
>Reply-To: Kevin Plichta <plichtakevin@HOTMAIL.COM>
>To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
>Subject: Re: hard turning after replacing power steering rack
>Date: Sun, 12 Nov 2006 20:35:46 -0500
>
>I am out of idea.
>A quick review: install power steering rack turns easy with van front
>wheels
>in air.
> Van on ground turns to right ok (most of the time) to
>left like NO power.
> Took Mike's suggestion added washer to offset corners
>to allow rack to set flat/even
>
>Observation: With front wheels in air; pushing/puling wheels right and left
>feels smooth. Which makes me believe that the rack is not binding. I did
>this with the van on and off, acts the same.
>My thought (my best guess) when rack is rebuild and tested it is not under
>a
>load. Which mine is showing, but under load (van a the ground) something is
>failing internally in the rack.
>
>Any input is appreciated.
>Kevin Plichta
>
>
>>From: Kevin Plichta <plichtakevin@HOTMAIL.COM>
>>Reply-To: Kevin Plichta <plichtakevin@HOTMAIL.COM>
>>To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
>>Subject: Re: hard turning after replacing power steering rack
>>Date: Sun, 12 Nov 2006 14:56:20 -0500
>>
>>Mike I also notice that the new rack did not lay flat, the old one did lay
>>flat.
>>
>>I just added a wash on the rack on two bolts. The system seems to have no
>>change.
>>
>>Looking for additional help.
>>Thanks
>>Kevin
>>
>>
>>>From: Mike Collum <collum@VERIZON.NET>
>>>Reply-To: Mike Collum <collum@VERIZON.NET>
>>>To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
>>>Subject: Re: hard turning after replacing power steering rack
>>>Date: Sat, 11 Nov 2006 23:26:21 -0500
>>>
>>>Gosh, Kevin. You're gaining experience. (Experience is what you get
>>>when you were expecting something else)
>>>
>>>When I replaced mine it worked even easier than the old one and it was
>>>easy.
>>>
>>>The only thing I might offer is ... Before I installed it, I laid my new
>>>rack on a flat surface and noticed that its mounting points didn't lay
>>>flush. It was off a dollar's worth (LOL). I could put 2 quarters under
>>>one upper hole and 2 quarters under the opposite lower hole and keep it
>>>from rocking. I opted to get some big washers to act as shims or
>>>spacers so that the rack would mount flat without any stress on it.
>>>
>>>When I pulled the old one (it was an old rebuilt) it too was off and had
>>>pushed two of the bushings completely through to where there was metal
>>>on metal where it mounted and there was stress to boot (loosening the
>>>bolts relieved it). Maybe (I don't know for sure) that contributed to
>>>its failure.
>>>
>>>By mounting the new one with shims, which allowed the mounting bushings
>>>to do their jobs, I now have less road noise and no harshness is felt at
>>>the steering wheel.
>>>
>>>After you complete the installation, you fill the PS reservoir and, with
>>>the engine running, turn the steering wheel from lock to lock several
>>>times, topping up the reservoir as necessary. That should purge the
>>>system of air.
>>>
>>>Anyway, I've never experienced what you describe. Hopefully someone who
>>>has BTDT will chime in.
>>>
>>>Mike
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>Kevin Plichta wrote:
>>>>I replaced my power steering rack today. I thought things went pretty
>>>>good.
>>>>The van turns with easy with the front wheels off the ground, but on the
>>>>ground turning to the right seem ok (most of the time) turning to the
>>>>left
>>>>is like there is no power steering. Air in the unit?? What have I done
>>>>wrong
>>>>or not completed?
>>>>Thanks for the wisdom.
>>>>Kevin
>>>>
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>>>>
>>
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