In a message dated 26/10/2009 2:42:22 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time,
LISTSERV@GERRY.VANAGON.COM writes:

        See my _Vanagon Power Steering_ (http://frankcondelli.com/hose.htm)
  webpage.  The WHOLE story and easy fix is there !  I have been making
and supplying these power steering hose replacements for over 10  years.
Copper lines are not gonna work for long.  Good quality high  pressure hydraulic
hose is needed for the pressure line.  The return line  is standard
multi-purpose hose.  Easy install, directions on my site.   Bleeding and flushing
is also explained there.

>>>>>Hi everyone,

I need some guidance  please.

I have a 2.1L Automatic 1988 Wolfsburg. Just rebuilt the engine  and
had all new hoses put on.

Prior to the install the power  steering pump had a minor leak, now
after the rebuild no leak.

2  days ago in pouring rain I noticed the steering was very stiff. So I
looked  at the ATF fluid in the Power Steering Tank. It was almost
empty so I  filled it.

10 minutes later it was making noise when trying to turn at  slow
speeds pulling from the parking lot. So I filled again with some  Lucas
Stop leak and topped it off with some more ATF.

Got home and  it was empty. So I look today to see if I can see
anything. I had the lines  replaced the fat & thin lines with copper
ones in 2007 I believe. I am  noticing some red fluid around some areas
of the lines but I can't be sure  where its really coming from.

Where are the key areas to look for  leaks?

Will it kill my pump if I drive it with some fluid in it that  drains
out over the time of me driving it to get it fixed?

I assume  the best thing to do is just replace them with Hydraulic lines?

Walrus  from the Samba posted some details on having them custom made
but I need  someone to confirm his data please. He stated they should
run around  $40.

I assume I need to go to hydraulic shop or tractor shop to get  them
made?

Walrus's instructions for building 2 Power Steering  lines:
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=147368&highlight=steering+f
luid+leak

High  Press line
11.5' long, two female compression fittings, 16x1.5mm
Needs  to be flex industrial stainless braided rated 4200lb. I.D. is
5/16".
I  believe I used 3/8". Connects where metal line junctions with the
1.5'  section of hose held onto pump with banjo bolt.

Low Press line
13'  long, Needs to be rated 400lb? 1/2" I believe.
Connects from Reservoir to  rack. I cut the pipe 4 inches from rack and
connected by sliding hose over  pipe and used hose clamps. Other end
hose clamps to reservoir.

Is  this an easy job for one person to do in their backyard?
How long should it  take?

If I brought the lines to a mechanic with a lift how long should  it
take to replace the lines and add the fluid?

Do the lines need to  be bled out or anything? A special process for
testing it and making sure  its installed  properly?

Thanks,
Robert
NY<<<<<<<<<

Cheers,

Frank  Condelli
Almonte, Ontario, Canada
'87 Westy & Lionel Trains (_Collection for sale_
(http://frankcondelli.com/trainsal.htm) )
_Frank Condelli &  Associates_ (http://frankcondelli.com/busindex.html)  -
Vanagon/Vanagon Westfalia Service in the Ottawa Valley
_Vanagon Stainless Steel Exhaust  Systems_
(http://frankcondelli.com/exhaust.htm)
_BusFusion_ (http://www.busfusion.com/)  a VW Camper  camping event,
Almonte, ON, June 11 ~ 14,  2009