I'm back on the road!  There's a great auto recycling yard in Arlington,
WA (http://www.findusedparts.com). I picked up the PS pressure and return
line nuts and bolts that I needed.  If anyone is interested in the
procedure:

http://wiki.vanagabond.com/bin/view/Vanagon/PowerSteeringHowTo

On another note http://vanagabond.com is running Twiki, software for
creating and editing web pages.  Notice the "edit" link on the page.  You
can click on that and edit the content.  Every time a page is edited and
saved, a new version is created and the old version is archived.  I'd like
to invite anyone who finds this useful to take a look at vanagabond.com
and add content.  You can upload pics of your van, keep a journal of your
trips/maintenance, or write How To's.  Feel free to edit any content you
find on the site.  TWiki software is meant to encourage open
collaboration.  To learn how it works, see this page:
http://wiki.vanagabond.com/bin/view/TWiki/WelcomeGuest

Regards,
Matt

On Fri, 11 Feb 2005, Matt Barclay wrote:

> From: Matt Barclay <mbarclay@OPENFBO.COM>
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: Re: Replacing the Power Steering Lines
> Date: Fri, 11 Feb 2005 06:44:10 -0800
>
> 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
>>
>