I gotta tell you that I am using my PS without the belt as the fluid gushes
out .Done  this for a year and it is  mostly ez to steer. However I do feel
somewhat embarressed doing it for so long. Just dont have the money to
rebuid or swap it.Got to do a wheel alignment too. I do fantasize of a new
rack often. You could say I need a life, but I think  more money will
suffice. I have forgotten what  good  power steering feels like.Tell me.

This said,my rack gushes fluid from the seal at the inner tie rod.Toast it
is.Yours sound interesting.Maybe it can be fixed. If it was mine, I would
use some gunk on the messy area and clean it up so I can see exactly what
is  wrong. Start the van up and watch it leak. Maybe just a tightening up
of a PS line is needed.Maybe a trip to a junkyard for a bitty part will fix
your rack.Perhaps a part common with other VW cars.

When buying a new rack, consider a "long rack". This is a rack with tie rods
(inner and outter), and boots. I think someone told us recently of a rack
like this for $220 rebuilt. From a place called the rack shop ,or something
like that. They gave a link with pictures and the rack shop web site.This
was within 2 months, so search the archives for just a brief time and find
your treasure.

Anyone know if my rack is still rebuildable,with all this use without
fluid? How ,long should a rack last anyway. Mine died at about 170K.