Date:         Fri, 30 Nov 2018 08:24:37 -0500
Reply-To:     William Monk <billmonk@GMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         William Monk <billmonk@GMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Re: Power steering rack leak
Comments: To: Ed McLean <email99@NC.RR.COM>
In-Reply-To:  <vanagon%2018113001043529@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii

Even the rebuilt racks are mostly just resealed racks. Not much is done other than a tear down and replace o-rings,gaskets,etc..
The new aftermarket racks available now seem to be decent quality and have had good luck with them. 

Bill

Sent from my iPhone

> On Nov 30, 2018, at 1:04 AM, Ed McLean <email99@NC.RR.COM> wrote:
> 
> Interesting thought, David.
> 
> Since PS racks are now mostly rebuilt and may be of questionable quality
> and are certainly difficult to obtain on short notice I don't really have
> a great amount of faith in them.  My engine is a Subaru with the PS pump
> driven by the same belt as the alternator.  I think I will get a belt that

> will just drive the alternator so if the PS system develops a big leak I
> will be able to limp home with the alternator turning and not the PS pump.

> It's OK do drive like this in an emergency but driving a spinning PS pump
> without fluid for a thousand miles might cause it to catch on fire or at
> least seize.  An alternator only belt is cheap and there is a very small
> chance that it would be used.  But, if it was needed, it would be oh so
> nice to have.
> 
> It's important to think ahead about possible problems with a 32 year old
> vehicle with 344,000 miles that you are depending on taking you 2,000
> miles across the country on a somewhat regular basis.