Date:         Sat, 9 Jun 2007 12:56:05 -0500
Reply-To:     Jim Felder <felder@KNOLOGY.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Jim Felder <felder@KNOLOGY.NET>
Subject:      Advice sought on steering issues
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII; delsp=yes; format=flowed

Right now, my manual 83 steering rack is on a workbench. I've got two
new tie rod ends with ball joints to put back in when I get new boots
next week.

A couple of comments and questions:

1. Now that the rack is out, I can reach under the car and twist the
bottom end of the steering shaft. I hear a little click as the U-
joint must have a small amount of slop. How normal or critical is
this? Should I replace the U-joint? It's like a half a degree of turn
(or less), but you can hear it click.

2. Bus Depot doesn't list just the U-joint, but the whole steering
shaft with joint for $200. If the U-joint does need replacing, can I
get just the joint and not the shaft somewhere, or is it made together?

3. There is a zerk grease fitting on the bottom of the steering rack
opposite where the shaft comes in. What, if anything, should I add
through this fitting?

4. I can't perceive any play in the rack and its bushings, but is
there some test I should be doing with an indicator and pry bar?

5. The passenger side inner tie rod end has considerable slop. Both
outer tie rod ends had bad rubber, no grease and no slop, though they
were very tight. Because of the bad passenger inner, I had expected
to see damage or wear on the passenger tire. There was none to speak
of, but I found a "cupped" spot in the OTHER tire, on the driver's side.

What would cause a single cup like that? I measured all the wheels a
few months back with a dial indicator, and nothing is over say a
tenth of an inch out of whack on any wheel on the car, and the wheel
on the tire with the cup was far from the worst.

6. Is there anything else worth doing to the rack while it is out?

Any advice would be appreciated.

Jim