I can't give you advice on the rack swap, but i can advise you to
flush the system and replace the brass frit in the fluid reservoir
after you install the rack. Flushing with ATF (the fluid to be used in
the system, not powersteering fluid) is a simple as adding fluid,
running engine and moving the steering wheel, stopping, draining
fluid, repeat.

don't let pump run dry.

I found the hoses to the reservoir to be difficult to remove otherwise
I would have flushed a different way. I did not want to break off a
nipple from the reservoir....

alistair

On 14-Apr-11, at 6:32 PM, robby kilborn wrote:

> Another 'before I jump in blind, in the middle of nowhere' question...
>
> I found I have a leak in my rack and pinion... can't really figure
> out how
> it happened, but the 'return' line that runs from the drivers side
> to the
> passengers side, has pulled out.  I found a junk yard with an 86, and
> they'll sell the tube for $20 or the entire Rack and Pinion for
> $65.  Is it
> as easy as taking off the old one and putting on the new one...
> bolts and
> whatnot, or am I in for a days work?
> Oddly enough I still have steering without issue, but I'm losing
> fluid...
> might as well just do it right.  So, how do I do it the right way?
>
> Robby
> 1987 Vanagon GL Syncro. 2.1L