I am happily driving without power steering, as is my wife, on our 86.
I did replace the puny steering wheel with a much nicer big brown early one
which helped make things easier.
I'm not about to give up 5 of my little tiny horsepower to run any pump,
thanks!   :)

On 7/6/07, Mark Tuovinen <mst@ak.net> wrote:
>
> The belt is removed when you do this.  I have been driving my Westy Syncro
> for three years this way, someday when I have spare time(ha ha), I will
> reseal or replace the leaking pump until then no need for power steering.
>
> Mark in AK
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: pdooley <psdooley@VERIZON.NET>
> Date: Friday, July 6, 2007 3:47 pm
> Subject: Re: Driving with no Power Steering
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
>
> > I haven't followed this thread too closely but one thing intrigues me:
> >
> > What lubricates the PS pump if no fluid is flowing??
> > This is of course assuming the belt is still connected.
> >
> > I would think the bearings in the pump would eventually seize.
> >
> > Any thoughts?
> >
> >
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On
> > Behalf Of
> > Mike Collum
> > Sent: Friday, July 06, 2007 8:19 AM
> > To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> > Subject: Re: Driving with no Power Steering
> >
> > For those long trips, John, should you break an alternator/waterpump
> > belt, you can use the power steering belt in a pinch.  As you
> > know, you
> > can get along without power steering but not without a waterpump.
> >
> > Mike
> >
> >
> >
> > John Rodgers wrote:
> > > Thanks Volks!
> > >
> > > I did it. Drove that sucker sans power steering! It does indeed
> > work. No
> > > I know if the system fails on a long trip or otherwise, all I
> > need do is
> > > remove the pump belt, and drive on. At speed on the open road I
> > could> hardly tell any difference. Turning tight corners and
> > parking was - as
> > > everyone said - a challenge. but I did "git'ter done!"
> > >
> > > Thanks again,
> > >
> > > Regards,
> > >
> > > John Rodgers
> > > 88 GL Driver
> > >
> > > John Rodgers wrote:
> > >> OK Gang,
> > >>
> > >> The Red Brick split the pressure hose back by the PS pump
> > today. Spewed
> > >> red all over the place.
> > >>
> > >> Question:  Can I drive it a while without the pump being
> > connected-ie,
> > >> the belt removed and no power assist for steering? It's going
> > to take me
> > >> a few days to get a replacement line since this is a special
> > hose with
> > >> banjo fittings on one end and and swedged fittings one the
> > other. In
> > >> other words - a somewhat special Vanagon part, one that our vendors
> > >> carry, but even they can't work magic all of the time.
> > >>
> > >> So how about it. Can I drive it, and is there anything to watch
> > out for,
> > >> special concerns, etc, etc.
> > >>
> > >> Most of the driving I will be doing is Interstate highway
> > driving -
> > >> pretty straight with wide sweeping turns. My moonshine
> > deliveries were
> > >> made before the Fourth of July, in time for the celebration, so
> > there>> will be no driving on winding, twisting mountain roads.
> > >>
> > >> Any thoughts?
> > >>
> > >> Thanks,
> > >>
> > >> Regards,
> > >>
> > >> John Rodgers
> > >> 88 GL Driver
> > >>
> > >>
> > >
> >
>

--
Jake
1984 Vanagon GL
1986 Westy Weekender "Dixie"
www.crescentbeachguitar.com