In a message dated 16/09/2007 1:21:52 P.M. Eastern Standard Time,
LISTSERV@GERRY.VANAGON.COM writes:

oh  oh!
There is a new puddle on the garage floor.
The oil appears to be  coming from the right end of the power steering =
rack.=20
If I remember  correctly the quick fix is to take the belt off the power =
steering pump  until the rack is repaired.
The list vendors show new and rebuilt racks for  sale as well as kits =
with new seals.  How hard is it to replace the  seals and is this a good =
fix?  Could other problems like wear on the  moving parts be causing the =
leak?  Should I just pay extra and put  in a rebuilt rack?  Are the any =
rebuild brands that I should  avoid?

George, I have rebuilt  these racks in the past.  The biggest problem is
getting it apart.   There are two STEEL threaded lock rings holding the cast
ALUMINUM ends to the  centre tube.  Getting these lock rings out is the problem.
STEEL  & ALUMINUM are not good together and if they are seized you may end up
breaking the aluminum castings.  If you can get those lock rings out  then the
rest is easy, straightforward and there are usually no worn parts other  than
the seals and bushing supplied in the rebuild kits.  However, I  now use
rebuilt racks from my Canadian supplier who offers a Lifetime warranty  which I
would be foolish to do as a personal rebuilder.  I can supply a  rack with
Lifetime warranty. From my _Vanagon Items Forsale_
(http://members.aol.com/Fkc43/sales.htm)  webpage  > Steering rack, power steering, rebuilt, X-991, 251 422
061,  (CORE  CHARGE $250)  - $459.95

Cheers,

Frank  Condelli
Almonte, Ontario, Canada
'87 Westy & Lionel Trains (_Collection for sale_
(http://members.aol.com/Fkc43/trainsal.htm) )
_Frank Condelli &  Associates_ (http://members.aol.com/Fkc43/busindex.html)
- Vanagon/Vanagon Westfalia Service in the Ottawa Valley
_Vanagon Stainless Steel Exhaust  Systems_
(http://members.aol.com/Fkc43/stebro.htm)
_BusFusion_ (http://members.aol.com/BusFusion/bfhome.htm)  a VW Camper
camping event, Almonte, ON, June 07 ~ 10,  2007