Since your system is sealed, maybe just having the system bled and full
of fluid has kept the steering gear lubed.

-Dana-

>
> I have been driving my '85 Westy for 4 years with the belt off the power
> steering pump. In those 4 years I have put about 30,000 miles in the van
> without a problem concerning the steering.
...

> > Does anyone have any additional information on this?  Contrary to what Don
> > was told by his mechanic, I was told be a VW dealership mechanic that there
> > is no harm in disconnecting the power steering pump.  My 86 GL that has a
> > leaky rebuilt rack seems to steer and handle fine without power assistance.
> > This is an important safety issue as i'm sure many of us have had to or are
> > considering replacing or re-building our leaky power steering racks.
...

> > "The shaft gears are completely toast", he said.
> > "Oh my God, I just got back from SLC yesterday! That's 2000 miles round
> > trip!"
> > "You lucky bastard", he said.....
> > He put the van on a lift and proceeded to show me what happens to the power
> > steering rack when it doesn't get the required fluids.
> > See, my van's steering pump was bad when I her. But I drove on it for about
> > 2 years before having it looked at.
> >
> > So, lesson to be learned? Power steering racks sure for power steering.
> > They
> > will wear out Very fast if not lubricated properly, and that could cause a
> > major accident (imagine your bus taking off in it's own direction at
> > 60+mph!!)