My only concern would be how beefy are the steering column joints.  They
are designed for very light turning effort.  Are they the same design as
the non-PS joints?  How hard do the non-PS units steer?  They have a
different ratio box.  Just wondering because I have heard the PS pump sucks
up some serious power.

                                                            Jay

Andrew Fox <afox@CNR.COLOSTATE.EDU>@gerry.vanagon.com> on 06/25/2002
04:03:18 PM

Please respond to Andrew Fox <afox@CNR.COLOSTATE.EDU>

Sent by:    Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>

To:    vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
cc:
Subject:    Re: Power steering

Ran mine for 1.5 years with PS belt disconnected and no problems.
Another listmember has been doing it for longer.  Sucks driving in town
but good chance to get some exercise for those forearms.  If yours has'nt
been re-built already you might be able to use a rebuild kit sold by one
of the vendors.  Otherwise its an expensive but easy DIY repair ($300
rack).  My van is on its 3rd PS rack.  Anyone gone thru more than 3 PS
racks?

good luck,
Andrew Fox
Brown 86 Westy "The Log"

On Tue, 25 Jun 2002, joseph Trussell wrote:

> Hi List,
>
> Just went out to the parking lot to get something out of Action Van (new
> name--bertha wasn't sticking and a friend recommended) and noticed a
giant
> puddle of power steering fluid under the front.  Started it up and
turned,
> and got the loud groaning from the engine compartment.
>
> I checked the archives, and the consensus seems to be that I can run it
> without the belt, until I can afford a new rack.
>
> And major pitfalls to doing this for a long time, besides added personal
> effort in turning a low speeds?
>
> Thanks in advance,
>
> Joe T.
> Denver, CO
> '85 Gl "Action Van"
>
>
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