Mike I also notice that the new rack did not lay flat, the old one did lay
flat.

I just added a wash on the rack on two bolts. The system seems to have no
change.

Looking for additional help.
Thanks
Kevin

>From: Mike Collum <collum@VERIZON.NET>
>Reply-To: Mike Collum <collum@VERIZON.NET>
>To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
>Subject: Re: hard turning after replacing power steering rack
>Date: Sat, 11 Nov 2006 23:26:21 -0500
>
>Gosh, Kevin.  You're gaining experience. (Experience is what you get
>when you were expecting something else)
>
>When I replaced mine it worked even easier than the old one and it was
>easy.
>
>The only thing I might offer is ... Before I installed it, I laid my new
>rack on a flat surface and noticed that its mounting points didn't lay
>flush.  It was off a dollar's worth (LOL).  I could put 2 quarters under
>one upper hole and 2 quarters under the opposite lower hole and keep it
>from rocking.  I opted to get some big washers to act as shims or
>spacers so that the rack would mount flat without any stress on it.
>
>When I pulled the old one (it was an old rebuilt) it too was off and had
>pushed two of the bushings completely through to where there was metal
>on metal where it mounted and there was stress to boot (loosening the
>bolts relieved it).  Maybe (I don't know for sure) that contributed to
>its failure.
>
>By mounting the new one with shims, which allowed the mounting bushings
>to do their jobs, I now have less road noise and no harshness is felt at
>the steering wheel.
>
>After you complete the installation, you fill the PS reservoir and, with
>the engine running, turn the steering wheel from lock to lock several
>times, topping up the reservoir as necessary.  That should purge the
>system of air.
>
>Anyway, I've never experienced what you describe.  Hopefully someone who
>has BTDT will chime in.
>
>Mike
>
>
>
>Kevin Plichta wrote:
>>I replaced my power steering rack today. I thought things went pretty
>>good.
>>The van turns with easy with the front wheels off the ground, but on the
>>ground turning to the right seem ok (most of the time) turning to the left
>>is like there is no power steering. Air in the unit?? What have I done
>>wrong
>>or not completed?
>>Thanks for the wisdom.
>>Kevin
>>
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