Date:         Mon, 9 Jul 2012 19:31:05 -0400
Reply-To:     pickle vanagon <greenvanagon@GMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         pickle vanagon <greenvanagon@GMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Re: Recommendations, anyone?
Comments: To: Gab and Em <shoesandbikes@gmail.com>
In-Reply-To:  <CAArYBE7Qo8-YW9Rx1WZ7it2g8jf1wsPEYrMa=mnhPN_-ooKwXQ@mail.gmail.com>
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TIRES:

I am sure some of the Candians on the list can chime in with advice on tire
availability at stores in your area.

I would plan on getting something like the Hankook RA08 184R14.  If you
want to do any driving when there's snow on the ground, switch to snow
tires (e.g., Nokian Hakkapeliitta C) in the winter.

POWER STEERING:
I don't know anything about this.

ALTERNATOR:
this is easy to change.  Some people may suggest just changing the brushes
but once its bad the bearing is probably bad and that can cause other nasty
issues.  You can get a rebuilt Bosch alternator from any of the major
online sellers (in the U.S: Vanagain.com, Gowesty.com, etc.) and then you
send yours back.  The hardest part of this job might be taking the pulley
off your alternator and transferring it to the new one!  The nut can be on
there tight.  If you can take it down the street to someone with an impact
wrench it will spin off with one press of the trigger.  Get a new belt to
put on when you change the alternator.

REFERENCE MANUAL:
apart from the bentley manual, if you're just starting out I would get the
Haynes manual.  When you're still getting a feel for things it holds your
hand and walks you through things.  Eventually you won't need it anymore.



On Mon, Jul 9, 2012 at 10:28 AM, Gab and Em <shoesandbikes@gmail.com> wrote:

> Hi,
> I am in Oakville, Ontario and new to the list, new to my 86 Westy and have
> two small children that want to go on a road trip starting next week:
>
> Challenges:
> -REPLACE FOUR PASSENGER TIRES;
> -POWER STEERING -- RIP as of last night -- PS fluid all fell out -- front
> and back after I put in some Lucas.
> -AIR CONDITIONING -- RIP as of Y2k;
> -JUMP SEAT;
> -ALTERNATOR
> -REFERENCE MANUAL -- where can I get one?
>
> Other vehicle details:
> -Vanagon GL (what does the GL mean?)
> -odometer: 235000km'ish (odometer axel that holds the digit wheels in place
> keeps sliding out of place so that the odometer gear (in the dasboard) does
> not engage the driving worm-gear, so I question the odometer!)
> -"gold" colour with gold colour (light brown) interior)
>
> I am so far behind the eight-ball that I would appreciate ANY advice!  This
> is a general call for any comments or recommendations that are jumping up
> to to anyone.
>
> Thanks in advance (I am digging through the List Archives -- lots of neat
> stuff to read; but there is so much to read and it a bit slow to
> peruse...so I am falling behind a bit).
>
> Gabby
> that guy with too many questions.
>