I was considering changing my 83 Westy over from Manual to Power Steering
and after I got a good look at the 87 donor vehicle I decided that this
wasn't going to be worth the trouble.
#1) The rack of course is different.
#2) The spindles are different
#3) The lower control arms are different
#4) The steering linkage is different
#5) And of course there is the pump and hoses.
#6) To top it off the steering wheel on the power steering is smaller
diameter.
This is about a thirty six beer job .......... if you're determined.

Stan Wilder
83 Air Cooled Westfalia

On Tue, 11 Jun 2002 05:17:51 -0700 Arlen <manx1342@EARTHLINK.NET> writes:
> What with the discussions on converting from power steering to
> manual
> steering, it has brought up a couple questions that I need to find
> answers to. Yes, I am in the process of doing this conversion. I
> have
> the rack.
>
> What my research has turned up (the scariest part) is that the
> steering
> knuckles (part #s from a body shop parts listing) between power and
> manual are different. The numbers are the same but the "manual"
> ends
> with AG, whereas the "power" ends with AH. First question: does
> anybody
> know what these letters signify? My only thoughts are that the
> steering
> arms may be a little longer to gain some mechanical advantage. I
> would
> guess that the rack itself could also have a higher steering ratio,
> even
> though they are physically the same width (they take the same tie
> rods,
> boots, etc.). The connector shaft (from the relay steering box back
> to
> the rack itself) is also different (longer, with a different coupler
> at
> the rack end, but fits all years).
>
> Second question: Has anybody ever seen an '87 or newer Vanagon with
> manual steering?
>
> Third (and most important) question: Is any one out there parting
> out an
> '86 (from 24G120001) or newer that may have these parts for sale? I
> do
> not need the hubs (drive flanges) or brake rotors.
>
> Any insights (or hard parts) will be appreciated.
>
> Arlen
>

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