Ric,

I third that motion... I drove mine for two months without a belt too.

If your rack went, then the lines are probably next.  I changed my lines
with this kit http://members.aol.com/Fkc43/hose.htm it worked great, and I
also flushed the system very well, with a final replacement of the fluid
with Amsoil ATF fluid.  Drives like a dream now.

Let's see... oil smoking over fill, bad wires causing buzzer to go off, and
the PS rack leaking.  By my count, you are good to go, as thing always come
in "3's"!  Have a safe journey!

Jack

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
Richard Golen
Sent: Wednesday, August 15, 2007 6:12 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Now a new problem....leaky power steering rack...

"If it weren't for bad luck, I'd have no luck at all....."

Last night at this time I was dealing with the oil buzzer/flashing
light problem which was successfully resolved this morning. A little
while ago, I was driving the van and the power steering pump sounded
"strange". When I got home, I noticed the pump reservoir was low, so
I put some more P/S fluid in...in a few moments, the level was low
again. I crawled under the front end and saw fluid dripping from the
steering rack....

It never ends!!

Looks like this issue will put a damper on the road trip.....I don't
think I can get this fixed before leaving on Saturday morning...looks
like I'll have to get the New Beetle prepped for a shorter trip.

Any suggestions?

Ric