>         Well, it isn't consensus (yet) but at least a BTDT answer
>(not on a vanagon, but hydraulics are hydraulics... up to a point.
>:-) Thanks for the useful input!
>
>         I'm amazed how many people feel free to comment with
>theories, anecdotes and urban legends...but no direct experience. :-/

It is possible to have a realistic idea as to something like this
without redcourse to urban myth etc... whether assisted or not, a
steering rack is merely a flat gear being pushed from side to side by
a fixed-position circular gear. It is well-greased (or darn well
should be!) in both cases, and works in exactly the same way. So
think about it... how can lack of assistance hurt a powered rack? Any
stress points will be upstream of the pinion... ie stressed may be
the driver, wheel, steering column & u-joints, but the rack and
pinion will be under no abnormal stresses. The weakest link by far
will be the driver's arms!
--
Andrew Grebneff
Dunedin
New Zealand
Fossil preparator
<andrew.grebneff@stonebow.otago.ac.nz>
Seashell, Macintosh, VW/Toyota van nut