The power steering reservoir has a replaceable filter in it. Replace it. 
Synthetic ATF will last longer, work better in winter. 
VW changed the spec from ATF to the fluid used in the Audi's for improved winter operation. Again the synthetic ATF is a lower cost alternative. 

Dennis

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of Gregory Smith
Sent: Thursday, April 22, 2010 10:39 AM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: Power steering rack leak

Hi Jack (and list),

My plan exactly, in fact I have the reman rack in the garage now, it
came with new boots and inner tie rods from my local CarQuest.  Slightly
better price than our list vendors and no shipping (sorry volks).

And I need an alignment anyway.  

My only concern is that there may be debris in the lines that could
damage the new rack, they include a note about checking for metallic
particles in the fluid and if present that you need to replace the pump.
 I guess I'll see what I find. Thanks for the encouragement! 

And to the person who asked about fluid, I only use Dexron ATF in my
power steering system, but a good thing to check.

Gregory Smith

Smith Design Studio
Small Building Company
Olympia, WA
360-239-0429
gregoryfsmith.com

-------- Original Message --------
Subject: RE: Power steering rack leak
From: "Jack Reynaert" <jack007@comcast.net>
Date: Wed, April 21, 2010 5:07 pm
To: "'Gregory Smith'" <gfs@GREGORYFSMITH.COM>

  Gregory,
  
 Same thing happened to me, just about, with my 84 Westy (which I've
owned since 87), my PS line went bad, so replaced it, all was well, then
3 weeks later my rack took a dump!
  
 I think the clean fluid cleared out what ever crud was keeping my rack
from leaking.
  
 I put in a new rack, easy job, and buttoned up everything in 1/2 a
Saturday.  Glad I did it!
  
 Just got a reman from the local foreign auto parts store (be sure to
keep the line adaptors) don't turn your rack in for the core until you
have the replacement installed.
  
 You will need an alignment when you are done.
  
 Get the rack with the new tie-rods, and then your front end will be
good to go for a while.
  
 Jack R.
 84 Westy Wolfie.
 N. of Detroit
  
   From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On
Behalf Of Gregory Smith
 Sent: Sunday, April 18, 2010 10:44 AM
 To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
 Subject: Power steering rack leak
 

 
  Hey listers...
 
 
 
Just changed my power steering pump with a spare because it was leaking
at the body seam, that was an easy fix.  Suddenly my rack leaks like a
sieve at both ends!  Is this a result of the p/s fluid getting low from
the other pump's leak?  
 
 
 
Any source for rebuild parts like seals and bushings?  I can do a Lancia
rack but I'm not sure where to start here.
 
 
 
Thanks,
 
Gregory Smith
 

 '88 Vanagon GL
 
 
 
Smith Design Studio
 Small Building Company
 Olympia, WA
 360-239-0429
 gregoryfsmith.com
 
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