Ok now I am starting to think manual steering is a good idea. I have always
been bugged by the way the steering wheel blocks the gauges. And since I
have leaking heads a busted 3-4 synchro gear (which I have been driving on
for 4 years) I don' t want to put alot of money into my
193KMILES/NON-SYNCHRO/NON-WESTY van.

The PS rack was replaced by the previous owner and probably had around 60K
when it failed.

Maybe if I had a garage I would be more likely to do all this work...

On 1/25/06, joe trussell <vanagongl@hotmail.com> wrote:
>
> In my last Vanagon, the original rack lasted 120k miles and the rebuilt
> model lasted about 50k, according to my mileage and the previous owner's
> records.
>
> I ended up replacing the leaker with a manual rack out of an '83.  $15 at
> the U-Pull-it yard.  I also got the larger steering wheel.  Honestly, I
> liked it better than the power rack; it felt more responsive.  And, with
> the
> bigger steering wheel, I could see the gauges better.
>
> When the rebuilt power rack dies on my current vanagon, I'll probably find
> another manual one...
>
> Joe T.
> Denver, CO
>
>
>
> >From: Roger Sisler <rogersisler2000@YAHOO.COM>
> >Reply-To: Roger Sisler <rogersisler2000@YAHOO.COM>
> >To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> >Subject: Re: Leaking PS fluid, replace rack or just seals?
> >Date: Wed, 25 Jan 2006 19:01:11 -0500
> >
> >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.Toastit
> >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.
>
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