Thanks for that warning John.

you'd think unscrewing a lock ring with the hammer and punch trick would not
be so terrible a thing to do.

don't know when I'll get to it, but I'll be careful.
thanks,
Scott
----- Original Message -----
From: "John Rodgers" <inua@charter.net>
To: "Scott Daniel - Turbovans" <scottdaniel@TURBOVANS.COM>
Cc: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Monday, June 07, 2010 6:18 PM
Subject: Re: Power Steering Rack Question

> 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
>>
>>
>