Date: Mon, 2 May 2011 13:26:10 +0000
Reply-To: J Stewart <fonman4277@COMCAST.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: J Stewart <fonman4277@COMCAST.NET>
Subject: Re: Power Steering Question
In-Reply-To: <BAY152-ds69824723BDD753F5EF5FBA09F0@phx.gbl>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8
Thank you Dennis! After sleeping on it, I did think this morning that since I had capped off both lines right away there might still be fluid in there causing pressure in the steering. Since I don't have to drive the van this week I'll probably just wait until the new reservoir shows up. Thanks, Jeff
Jeff Stewart
----- "Dennis Haynes" <d23haynes57@HOTMAIL.COM> wrote:
Most of that resistance is due to the cylinder fighting the valving. Let the oil out and it will almost become a manual rack.
Now for those that just cut the belt and not use the power steering has anyone figured out how the steering knows how to change the fluid direction as you turn the wheel? It is all done in the valve assembly just above the rack pinion. There is a small shaft that twists slightly as you turn the wheel which changes the relationship of the inner/outer parts thus changing fluid flow and direction. Without the power assist this twisting shaft is what is now steering your vehicle.
Dennis
-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of J Stewart
Sent: Sunday, May 01, 2011 3:21 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: Power Steering Question
I may have just answered my own question. I had to move the van in the driveway, and after popping off the belt I jumped in a fired it up-I could barely turn the wheel. It took me several times of going forward/backward and gently turning the wheel to get it to move. It felt very stiff, and I was afraid if I tried to turn it harder something would break. I thought I've read before where folks had disconnected the belt and just kept driving? Jeff
Jeff Stewart
----- "J Stewart" <fonman4277@COMCAST.NET> wrote:
<SIGH> It's been an all VW weekend for me, and not a good one. Yesterday was spent trying to figure why when it rains my daughter's New Beetle floods on the drivers side floor, ruining an airbag sensor to the tune of $503.00. It has no sunroof (every one keeps telling me to clean the sunroof drains!). Today was time for some PM on the Vanagon, mainly flushing and refilling the power steering fluid and changing the filter. The fluid reservoir was quite gunked up, so I decided to remove it for cleaning, and well, as your might have guessed, the lower hose fitting snapped off. Sooooooooo, a new reservoir has been ordered, but in the meantime I have shoved bolts into the two hose ends and clamped them. I don't really need to drive it this week, but the question is, can I drive it with the fluid reservoir disconnected without harming anything? TIA, Jeff
Jeff Stewart