A couple days ago I mentioned in passing I had loose steering.  Ordered a new
steering coupler ($20, dealer).  I finally had a chance
to replace it.  What I found is a litle scary.  This rubber piece is the only
thing between your van having steering or not having steering.
I feel, as most of you may feel, that brakes and steering are probably to of the
more important features to have on a car  ; )

But seriously,  this hockey puck is down by the front cross beam, exposed to all
the road gunk.  Up until mine partially failed, I had no clue
to it's condition.  It mounts by two bolts and one end of the bolt mounts on the
rubber, so when the rubber ages, stretches, rots and lets go, you now only have
one bolt (remember, one end is mounted on the rubber) left which is now attached
to rotted, worn, cracked rubber.  With the new
steering coupler in, it feels like a new van.

Its easy to check.  Lay down in front of your van on your back, scoot under the
drivers side until the tip of your head is near the cross beam  (axle beam
to you bug or old bus people).  Look up.  There in line with the steering shaft
will be this rubber hockey puck.  Check for aging (the hockey puck, not
yourself).  It is really held on by four bolts but only two on each end of the
steering shaft so if two opposing bolts come loose, no steering.  Only takes
15 minutes to replace (if you ever have to do it again, it should only take 5
minutes).    This applies mainly to manual steering as I am not familar
with power steering linkages.

eric henning
80 westy