Scott,

If you try to take one of these apart - you will need a spanner wrench
with a tang on each tip to remove the lock ring.. Make sure those tangs
are a good solid fit. I tried this on the '85 GL I had, and the wrench I
had wasn't the right one, was worn, and kept slipping. so, like a rank
neophyte dumb-butt, I tried the old punch and hammer trick. Wrong thing
to do!!! I managed to break that cast aluminum lock ring. Screw that up
and you are SOL unless y ou have a box of spare parts. I was never able
to find a replacement. Fortunately I had a friend whose Dad was the
chief VW mechanic at a VW dealership, and he was able to weld and
re-thread the thing. He finished the rebuild for  me, and I never had
any more trouble with it right up to the time I sold it some 115,000
miles later. Just be careful. Be advised that installing the kit without
machining or reaming  worked in my case. I was just fortunate I suspect.

John

John Rodgers
Clayartist and Moldmaker
88'GL VW Bus Driver
Chelsea, AL
Http://www.moldhaus.com

On 6/7/2010 7:34 PM, Scott Daniel - Turbovans wrote:
> Cool Dennis, tell me what you think of this then ..
> I have a used rack that does not leak.
> but it is 'draggy' right at center..
> both by feel with rack out of the car, and driving straight down the
> road.
> I am thinking there may be a preload adjustment by shims in there for
> that
> perhaps...
> sound possible ?
> I havn't really tried to take one apart,
> I have at least two to play with, I should. To much else to
> fix/restore/repower  !
>
> Scott
> www.turbovans.com
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Dennis Haynes" <d23haynes57@HOTMAIL.COM>
> To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
> Sent: Monday, June 07, 2010 4:47 PM
> Subject: Re: Power Steering Rack Question
>
>
> I have tried a number of times to overhaul the racks. Often the
> leaking seal
> is just a symptom. Often the rack end bushings or rack itself are worn or
> grooved and require replacement or machine work. There is also the
> possibility of the valve being worn and I have seen some leak at the
> pinion
> shaft. You will need some special tools to get the rack a part.
>
> Dennis
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On
> Behalf Of
> Craig Morton
> Sent: Monday, June 07, 2010 4:27 PM
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: Power Steering Rack Question
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> I have found the reseal kit. Price is reasonable. Anyone installed these
> seals?
>
> Craig
>
>