Date:         Mon, 1 Apr 1996 15:47:18 PDT
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@vanagon.com>
From:         "Shawn Wright" <SW@smus.bc.ca>
Subject:      Re: '88 Power Steering - Update

On  1 Apr 96 at 16:11, Dan Houg wrote:

> 
> > Seems like a sticking universal joint or something. Then I spot the 
> 
> 
> BINGO!  there are 2 universal joints in the steering linkage.  they 
> are non-greasable and quite exposed to road grime.  the Front End 
> shop in town here said that this is a common cause of on center 
> stickiness and they *should* be able to match up a generic 
> one once the old one is removed.
Let's hope so - I just priced the one at the rack for $ 230 CDN.
And the transfer gear case is $1226 CDN!
I plan to disconnect the shaft from the rack & try to narrow down the 
source of friction tonight...
 
> My '87 has 'sticky' steering right on center.    since the van i bought had 
> sat a while before i got it i think the joints had corroded.  it does 
> seem to be getting better with continual driving, in fact, it is just 
> barely noticable to me now.  not enough to dig in and replace them 
> for, now.
Mine looked corroded too - I jammed some moly grease into it, but 
doubt it did much good.
 
> there is also a PN listing for the joint but i don't know how 
readily > available it is from the dealer.
> -dan
> Shawn
'88 Westy 322k (Kyra)
'85 Jetta TD 341k (Jenni)