In the final steps of completing this job, I believe I confused the
pressure and return lines.  Pictured here is the return line, correct?

http://gallery.openfbo.com/powersteering/IMG_3438

If so, that's what I was afraid of.  Right after taking that picture, I
removed that stub of a line and took it to an aviation mechanic friend of
mine who used a torch to heat it up and separate the coupler from the
line.  In the process, the threads on the nut and coupler were destroyed.
  I thought it was just the pressure line, so I ordered another coupler and
installed it last night.  To my horror, I found that the new pressure hose
would only fit the forward port on the rack.  So basically, I could have
just clamped the return line onto the stub in the picture and installed
the pressure hose without ordering any new parts.  Now I have to find a
new nut to use on that line so I can clamp to it.  Anyone have one to
spare?

Sigh.

Matt

On Fri, 11 Feb 2005, Frank Condelli wrote:

> From: Frank Condelli <RAlanen@AOL.COM>
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: Re: Replacing the Power Steering Lines
> Date: Fri, 11 Feb 2005 06:25:40 EST
>
> In a message dated 10/02/2005 4:14:53 PM Eastern Standard Time,
> LISTSERV@GERRY.VANAGON.COM writes:
>
> The  hardest part has been finding the
> leverage to turn the old, rusted parts,  and having the patience to see it
> through.
>
>
> Matt, you hit the nail on the head with that  statement. It just keeps
> getting worse.  Some days I keep asking why I want  to work on these old rusted
> junkers.  I just got done cleaning up the mess  I found behind the leaking gas
> tank of my '87 Westy.  If you think there's  no rust on your Westy, remove the
> tank and take a look.  You won't  believe what's hidden on the other side.
> Hydraulic clutch and brake lines  so rusted that touching them made them leak and
> they were not leaking before  lowering the tank.  Lucky me got to replace some
> hydraulic lines !   Every try using a flaring tool under the van with hardly
> any space to move  ?  Also thought it a good idea to remove and clean the
> brake equaliser  that's stuffed up on the frame near the rack.  Bet some of you
> didn't even  know you had one of them.   Wanna see how much crud I found inside,
> no, I bet you don't.  Anyways, that got cleaned up and replaced.  Then  I
> spent the pretty much the rest of the week scraping, prepping and POR-15ing  the
> space and components behind the fuel tank.  Nice job tying to get  liquids to
> go up !  Ha !  Well, I've not got myself and work clothes  pretty well rust
> proofed anyways.  But, it sure looks nice all shiny black  waiting for the new
> tank to arrive.  It too will get POR-15ed before  installing.  No more visits
> to the fuel tank and beyond for this Westy  !  Just as a side note this it
> this Westy's third fuel tank.  The  original was replaced under warranty back in
> Edmonton, AB when owned by the  original owner !
>
>    BTW, glad you got through the power steering hose  repair.  Yes, that
> coupling on the rack can be a PITA.  Heat and two  long handled tight fitting
> wrenched seem to have worked for me so far as I've  not wrecked one yet but I'm
> sure my turn is coming.
>
>    Maybe we should go buy one of them there brandy new  Sprinters with no
> rust ?!!?
>
>
> Cheers,
>
> Frank  Condelli
> Almonte, Ontario, Canada
> _BusFusion_ (http://members.aol.com/BusFusion/bfhome.htm)  a VW Camper
> camping event, Almonte, ON, June 09 ~ 12, 2005
> '87 Westy, '90 Carat &  Lionel Trains
> Member: _Vanagon List_ (http://www.vanagon.com/) , _LiMBO_
> (http://www.bcn.net/~limbo/) , _IWCCC_ (http://www.westfalia.qc.ca/)  & _CCVWC_
> (http://www.ccvwc.ca/)
> Vanagon/Vanagon Westfalia Service in  the Ottawa Valley
> _STEBRO/Vanagon Stainless Steel  Mufflers_
> (http://members.aol.com/Fkc43/stebro.htm)
> _Frank Condelli &  Associates_ (http://members.aol.com/Fkc43/busindex.html)
> or  http://frankcondelli.com
>