The best way I can say it is ... If you think some effort is required or
really, if you think about it at all ... then something is amiss.

Mike

robertmstewart wrote:
> The belts are all good, pump is working, fluid is in the reservoir, just
> seems to need a lot more effort when making big tight turns...
>
>
> on 4/15/06 7:07 PM, Mike Collum at collum@VERIZON.NET wrote:
>
>
>>I once threw the belt from my '85's power steering pump and I could
>>really feel the difference ... immediately!  It steers a whole lot
>>easier with the belt in place.
>>
>>With power steering, it's easier to steer then my '84, which has manual
>>steering, but remember, the manual steering has more turns of the
>>steering wheel from lock to lock and has the larger steering wheel to
>>boot.  One set up for manual steering isn't all that bad, but one that's
>>set up for power steering is a lot harder when the power steering isn't
>>working.
>>
>>Mike
>>
>>
>>Robert Fisher wrote:
>>
>>>My power steering rack sprung a leak and needs to be rebuilt, so we've had
>>>to do without the power steering, so to speak. I didn't notice much
>>>difference, nor did my wife and she would have let me know if it was
>>>causing
>>>her much of a problem.
>>>Having said that, it could well be that the failing system wasn't giving us
>>>much help to begin with, but before it went out it wasn't nearly as
>>>effortless as my Cadillac, for instance.
>>>The lines are good and the pump still has some fluid and doesn't seem to
>>>have been damaged but I think I'll rebuild it for GP, both to maintain
>>>'balance' in the system and because, well, it's 20 yrs old and if it hasn't
>>>gone yet it will eventually, especially after this problem.
>>>Dunno if that helps ya but there it is.
>>>
>>>Cya,
>>>Robert
>>>
>>>----- Original Message -----
>>>From: "Milo's Kitchen" <sagmoore@ZOOMINTERNET.NET>
>>>To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
>>>Sent: Saturday, April 15, 2006 2:53 PM
>>>Subject: Re: Power Steering issue...
>>>
>>>
>>>Hi Rob,
>>>
>>>Without having another VW Vanagon with power steering to compare it to, it
>>>would be hard to say.
>>>
>>>The Bentley manual has a basic test using a dial type torque wrench to
>>>check
>>>basic steering friction, and a test using gauges to check the steering
>>>hydraulic system pressures. Other than that, the wheel should be much
>>>easier
>>>to turn with the engine running as compared with it off, (steering lock
>>>disengaged, of course).
>>>
>>>My opinion is that a VW power steering equipped van requires a bit more
>>>force than a brand new car, but I like that personally, better steering
>>>feedback.
>>>
>>>It also may be that not all of the air has been purged yet from the
>>>lines as
>>>well; keep an eye on the PS reservoir.
>>>
>>>Dave
>>>
>>>-----Original Message-----
>>>From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM] On Behalf Of
>>>robertmstewart
>>>Sent: Saturday, April 15, 2006 4:10 PM
>>>To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
>>>Subject: Power Steering issue...
>>>
>>>Hello everyone,
>>>
>>>So I just had a bunch of work done on my van one item being having the
>>>power
>>>steering line replaced. What I am wondering is how smooth the turning is
>>>with your van�s?
>>>
>>>I notice that compared to most new cars the power steering is still a
>>>little
>>>tough, meaning I have to exert a little effort to turn the wheel, is that
>>>normal?
>>>
>>>In most new cars you turn the wheel and turns effortlessly. I am just
>>>wondering if this is normal as it has been several years since my last van
>>>and I can not remember how it is suppose to feel.
>>>
>>>Thanks,
>>>
>>>
>>>--
>>>Rob
>>>NYC/Long Beach, NY
>>>88 Wolfsburg, Silver
>>>
>>>--
>>>No virus found in this incoming message.
>>>Checked by AVG Free Edition.
>>>Version: 7.1.385 / Virus Database: 268.4.1/312 - Release Date: 4/14/2006
>>>
>>>
>>>--
>>>No virus found in this outgoing message.
>>>Checked by AVG Free Edition.
>>>Version: 7.1.385 / Virus Database: 268.4.1/312 - Release Date: 4/14/2006
>>>
>
>