I just did this today. Used this very good 'how to':
http://www.vanagonauts.com/Another-Steering-Rack-How-to212.htm

<http://www.vanagonauts.com/Another-Steering-Rack-How-to212.htm>Not
difficult, but lots of time lying under the van.

<http://www.vanagonauts.com/Another-Steering-Rack-How-to212.htm>My
understanding is that once they leak, they need replacing and that used
racks are not worth the hassle. Rebuilt ones ain't cheap though.

Before biting this bullet I removed the PS belt and drove without a problem
for quite some time. Better to disconnect the belt than to tax the pump by
driving without enough fluid (the pump will groan, and they ain't cheap
neither).

One caveat- I don't know if Syncros are different. Mine's an '86 2WD.

Joe

On Thu, Apr 14, 2011 at 6:32 PM, robby kilborn <robbykilborn@gmail.com>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
>