You can put the manual type (larger) steering wheel on a van equiped
with power steering.  It'll actually make steering a bit easier as
there's more leverage.

Mike
'84 GL 7 pass (standard steering)
'85 GL Westy (power steering)

Mike Frost wrote:
> 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.
>>
>>_________________________________________________________________
>>Don't just search. Find. Check out the new MSN Search!
>>http://search.msn.click-url.com/go/onm00200636ave/direct/01/
>>
>
>