My '84 has standard steering.  The '85 Westy has power steering.  The
'84 steers almost as easily as the '85 but it takes more turning of the
steering wheel.  The '85, without the power steering belt (I know, I
broke one once) steers like a very old Mac Truck and is an exercise in
frustration when trying to parallel park.

All this to say what? .... That if I had to lose the power steering pump
on the westy, I'd definately change the steering rack, the steering
knuckles, the u-joint that connects the steering column to the rack
(they're different), and the steering wheel.  In other words .... I'd
convert to standard steering.

Mike

> Bruce,
>
> There are a few on this list who just removed the PS pump belt , no
changing
> the rack needed.
>
> What engine are you using?
>
> Robert
>
> 1982 Westfalia
>
> ----Original Message Follows----
> From: Bruce Nadig <motorbruce@HOTMAIL.COM>
> Reply-To: Bruce Nadig <motorbruce@HOTMAIL.COM>
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: Power Steering To No PS Conversion
> Date: Fri, 13 Jun 2003 09:09:29 -0500
>
> I know that would be an unusual conversion, but I am interested in
REMOVING
> the the power steering system from my '87 Vanagon GL. I'm doing a
conversion
> and there doesn't seem to be a good way to keep the power steering
pump.
> Soooo, I think I need to convert from power steering to non-power
steering.
> I have searched the archive and found nothing. According to ETKA it
looks
> like I would need a non-PS rack, tie rods, and a few other parts.
>
> Has anyone ever done this before? Steering systems aren't one of my
areas of
> knowledge. Is this conversion a feasible thing to do? Any informed
input is
> welcome.
>
> Thanks,
> Bruce
>
> _________________________________________________________________
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>
> Robert
> 1982 Westfalia 1987 Wolfsburg
>
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