It is not too bad.  You want to be sure that your steering wheel is centered
before you take the rack loose from the steering couping.  Measure how far
the tie rods stick out on either side so that you can recenter the new rack
when you install it.  You can take the tie rods end off two ways.  One you
can just pop them out of the steering knuckles and then replace them (if
they need replacment).  The other way to go is to leave them installed in
the steering knuckles and just unscrew them from the tie rods.  You want to
get four new steering rack bushings so that when you install the new rack
you also have new rack bushings.  Also understand that all rebuilders that I
know of require you to replace the power steering filter when you replace
the rack.  I sell these rebuilt racks for $295 plus a $175 core charge.
These are rebuild by Maval and have a lifetime warranty.  Let me know if you
need any other info.

Thanks,
Ken Wilford
John 3:16
http://www.vanagain.com
http://www.strictlyvwauctions.com
Phone: (856)-327-4936
Fax: (856)-327-2242
-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com]On Behalf
Of Felder
Sent: Thursday, November 13, 2003 12:08 AM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Steering rack replacement question

There is no clear-cut procedure in Bentley for removal and replacement
of the PS steering rack in a late-model vanagon. Is anyone familiar
with this procedure? Is this something I can accomplish, or are there
reasons it's better left to a VW shop?

Thanks,

Jim