Date:         Fri, 9 Nov 2012 11:14:03 -0500
Reply-To:     Richard Koller <kollerr@HELIX.NIH.GOV>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Richard Koller <kollerr@HELIX.NIH.GOV>
Subject:      Mushy steering, wallowing ride
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII"

Hi all,

                I have a '91 tin top syncro that I don't drive very much,
maybe once a week for short distances. As a consequence of this " neglect "
, I have ignored a mushy/inconsistent steering feeling for a while. It seems
sort of too wobbly going over small bumps and not really " tight " at
highway speeds, sort of a wallowing feel,  not a great feeling. Now I want
to try and diagnose it. The upper ball joints have both been replaced this
year and seem not to affect this mushy feeling and I switched tires from one
van to other with no change. Front outer cv boots replaced and greased
joints. No leaks in steering rack, fluid flushed a couple years ago with
Mobil One ATF.  I'm thinking possibly shocks. Have not tested lower front
ball joints Van has about 110,000 miles ( odometer not working ). I've put
maybe 2000 miles on it in 5 years. Other than shocks am I missing something
to check?

Thanks

Rick