Could be the pump or the rack. I would first change the fluid and the
filter. Synthetic ATF can make a lot of steering maladies go away.

Dennis

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf
Of Detroit Bus
Sent: Sunday, May 29, 2005 6:27 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Hard steering

Hi all--

Still mulling over my moving options, but in the meantime my Vanagon
has developed intermittent "hard" steering. It most often happens
after being on the freeway awhile, and then exiting. The first right
or left turn on surface streets will be hard [steering wheel resists
more, have to crank the wheel to respond], and then shortly thereafter
my power steering seems to "recover" and all is fine again. Doesn't
matter if its left or right.

Fluid level is fine, no leaks anywhere around any hoses or PS
fittings. Belts tight and good. Is my PS pump failing? It is original,
170,000 miles.

If my power steering fails, is it still safe to drive if I have good
forearms?

--
Garrick, Queens, NY
'87 GL Weekender