I can't address the first question as I was able to keep putting fluid
in mine when this happened and it was a slow leak.  Re your second
question, I used to drive my 82 diesel Vanagon (no power steering) to
work, on trips, etc. and the only time I noticed the lack of it was when
moving slow, i.e., parking.  It really didn't bother me so in a pinch,
unless your wife is really, really petite, I don't see a problem for
her.  Ask BenT if you need verification but though tall I have very thin
upper arms - I'm too lazy to work out except barn aerobics.   

Donna, 87 Syncro & Wolfsburg

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf
Of David Bohannan
Sent: Thursday, September 15, 2005 6:33 AM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Driving a PS Van w/o PS

Second question is if its worth moving my larger steering wheel from my
non-PS vanagon over to this one for this one trip...I will probably be
the only one driving, but if my wife needed to drive this in a pinch do
you think she could do it? I have heard of the bicep pumping
necessary...

TIA...

Dave
85 GL "Baby Bus" 
85 "No name"