The problem I have seen on a few steering racks is that the bushing at the
outer end of the steering rack.......
a bushing that the  long toothed linear gear thing  slides in, wears out, in
some cases, very badly......
like allows over an eight inch up-down play there........( a new tie rod end
won't help either, in this scenario.  ) .
which translates to significant left-right slop in the toe adjustment for
that wheel.......
and I don't think that bushing is a replaceable part ........at least not at
the 'parts level.' Rebuilders must have a way replace that part though.
that's what I suspect our poster guy is facing here.

btw ,...............for anyone wishing to convert to power steering from
manual steering ......
I have a quite good used power steering rack out of an 87 westy ....
and I have the correct longer 'front shaft'  to go with it as well.
.......for sale.
Located in southern Oregon.
Scott
turbovans

----- Original Message -----
From: "mark drillock" <mdrillock@COX.NET>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Tuesday, June 02, 2009 2:22 PM
Subject: Re: manual steering rack and pinion

> Are you sure the problem is not just with the inner tie rod joint? This
> part lives inside the bellows boot area and can be unscrewed and
> replaced. I have seen a few where one side was badly worn.
>
> http://www.van-cafe.com/home/van/smartlist_768/tie_rod_assemblies.html
>
> Mark
>
>
>
> Alan Felder wrote:
>> The same manual steering rack and pinion was used from 1980 to 1991 in
>> the
>> vanagons.  I have one of these that I took off of my '82 that needs
>> "something".  Although I can't find an expanded view of the rack, I can
>> imagine that the problem is a broken/missing bushing on the driver's
>> side,
>> as that end of the rack is loose, while the other end is not.  Thats why
>> I
>> replaced it.  I would like to clean up and rebuild this rack and pinion
>> and
>> sell for a good price, but can't seem to find any source for parts to do
>> so,
>> nor any info on the rebuilding of these.  Any hints out there?
>>
>> --
>> Not all those who wander are lost
>>