Date: Tue, 24 Aug 2010 12:46:30 -0500
Reply-To: John Rodgers <inua@CHARTER.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: John Rodgers <inua@CHARTER.NET>
Subject: Re: Power Steering Pumps - Again!
In-Reply-To: <084a01cb4354$3b3c42f0$6801a8c0@PROSPERITY>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed
I have had PS pump issues on every Vanagon I have owned. In every
case, the pump was screaming like a banshee. Replacement of the pump
with a re-manufactured one solved the problem. The problem with the
pumps never happened on my watch, but the PO's apparently had leaks, let
the PS system get low, which damaged the pumps, resulting in the load
whining. They still worked, but who wants to live with a screaming pump
- knowing sooner or later it's going to put metal pieces into the system
at large and cause real damage.
My current situation is that I have come into ownership of three vans -
all three of which have pumps screaming like banshees. The pumps are
going to be replaced, but in the meantime the belts have been removed so
they are not working. As much as I dislike the idea, spendign the $900
for three pumps may be for the best to get the PS working again.
Properly rebuilt pumps "should" last a long time. Time will tell.
John Rodgers
Van Driver - 88 GLx2, 91 Carat
On 8/24/2010 1:18 AM, Scott Daniel - Turbovans wrote:
> it's never good to hold right against the steering limit in either
> direction.
> If you reach the limit, fine ..but don't hold it there. That's bad for
> things.
>
> I don't trust used pumps too much.
> I had a fine rebuilt rack get blown out completely by what I can only
> imagine was a pump failing.
>
> Scott
> turbovans
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Dennis Haynes" <d23haynes57@HOTMAIL.COM>
> To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
> Sent: Monday, August 23, 2010 8:29 PM
> Subject: Re: Power Steering Pumps - Again!
>
>
>> A clogged filter, Bad pressure valve or valve in the steering rack
>> can also
>> cause the whining noises.
>>
>> I am not saying that the pumps never go bad but three at one time points
>> to
>> something else.
>> What are you using for fluid?
>>
>> Dennis
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On
>> Behalf Of
>> John Rodgers
>> Sent: Monday, August 23, 2010 11:21 AM
>> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
>> Subject: Re: Power Steering Pumps - Again!
>>
>> Dennis,
>>
>> My pumps still function. BUT - they whine like crazy, it's loud, and
>> it's far worse when turning under a load such as when trying to parallel
>> park or when at or near the limits of turning of the steering wheel.
>>
>> I realize that even with a new pump there is always some slight whining
>> when the steering wheel turn limits are reached. I have a new PS unit
>> installed, freshly flushed and filled - and my pump still whines like
>> crazy. In fact, all three used pumps that I have put on subsequently
>> have protested loudly.
>>
>> Like alternators, these pumps see a lot of work, and because they are
>> raight at $300 a pop, and I have three vans, I'm real interested in
>> finding a simpler, cheaper solution to the pump issue. Plunking down
>> $900 for three pumps is not my idea of fun. And right now all three vans
>> have pumps that whine like crazy.
>>
>> John. Rodgers
>>
>>
>> On 8/22/2010 11:28 PM, Dennis Haynes wrote:
>>> Why do you think these pumps are bad? The part that usually wears is
>> really
>>> the housing, (side play) and fixing this take machine work. They also
>>> usually last almost forever. I have only replaced two of these and they
>> were
>>> used on a number of VW and Audi products. Both died from being run dry.
>>>
>>> Dennis
>>>
>>> -----Original Message-----
>>> From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf
>>> Of
>>> John Rodgers
>>> Sent: Wednesday, August 11, 2010 3:13 PM
>>> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
>>> Subject: Power Steering Pumps - Again!
>>>
>>> Since I now have three Vanagons to maintian, and all three have bad
>>> pumps, I am facing a $900 bill for PS pump replacement, so needless to
>>> say, I have been studying the pump problem intently. Bentley has some
>>> really good illustrations of the construction of these pumps, and I see
>>> absolutely no reason one cannot rebuild them in one's own garage. The
>>> problem is the availability of parts.
>>>
>>> These pumps are simple. A few gaskets and seals, a spring loaded
>>> pressure relief valve, a stator, a rotor, and some vanes to go in the
>>> rotor.
>>>
>>> The parts that wear are the vanes - which wear against the stator, and
>>> the rotor, where the vanes wear in their respective slots on the rotor.
>>> Those three parts - stator, rotor, vanes - are really easy to replace.
>>> So, what is the deal with getting those parts. All of our regular list
>>> vendors carry the seal kit, ie, gaskets, o-rings, etc, but I have
>>> yet to
>>> see one carry the stator, rotor, and vanes. So why not? As common as
>>> these parts are on Vanagons, surely they are available somewhere to the
>>> public at large. Why would/should these parts be the exclusive
>>> purvue of
>>> automotive component/appliance re-builders.
>>>
>>> I hope to turn this situation around, and I'm on the trail. Any input
>>> anyone has would be appreciated. I would like to add this as a success
>>> story to the archives.
>>>
>>> Homey's have rebuilt/repaired AFM's, ECU's, Auto Trannies, PS racks, to
>>> name a few - all in their home garages. So why not PS pumps??
>>>
>>> Thanks for any help.
>>>
>>> Thanks for putting up with a semi-rant!
>>>
>>> John
>>>
>>> --
>>> John Rodgers
>>> Clayartist and Moldmaker
>>> 88'GL VW Bus Driver
>>> Chelsea, AL
>>> Http://www.moldhaus.com
>>>
>>>
>
>
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