It might not have been such a bad thing had the ring not been machined
cast aluminum. But there is not a lot of material there and a whack in
the wrong place is not a good thing.!

John

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