A couple of weeks ago I started hearing a buzz from the floorboards after replacing the high pressure line from the power steering pump to 
the main line, (the U-shaped one with the banjo fitting on one end).  It had 
started to leak and the local VW shop (DEDA in Pullman, WA) said he 
could have the existing ends put on a new piece of hose, flush the 
system, generally make all good.  Sounded reasonable, but when I picked 
it up there was a buzz/whistle coming up through the floorboards.  You 
could feel the vibration in the steel power steering lines under the 
van.

He said it was OK to drive while we figured it out, so I 
went to the Wet Westies campout in Walla Walla where Jason Newton checked it out and suggested the hose shop may have
 reversed a check valve when they built the line.

Back to Dedas, 
where he said it could be, so had the shop re-do the hose.  They 
re-built the hose, said it was OK to start with.  Still buzzed.  OK, 
perhaps the pump has a problem after the flush?  Tried a new pump, still
 buzzes.

So - I've been looking for a decent used line to see if that would solve the problem without any luck.  I also wrote to Frank Condelli who sells replacement lines as long as you send him your old one to use rebuilding it.

He replied that there's a restrictor in the line to reduce the pressure, and it's probably missing from the one DEDA had built.  He doesn't use them anymore, just replaces all of the steel lines with high pressure hose so the buzz never get's transmitted to the body of the van.

Hmm - the shop says the restrictor is in place and pointed the right direction.

It's fun trying to figure these things out, if you are independently wealthy.  It was interesting to get an opinion that the buzz is cosmetic, but it still worries me.

So - if I can't find a replacement hose to try, it sounds like I can either: 

   put up with the buzz, scarcely noticeable at highway speeds but annoying in town; 
   replace all of the steel hoses with new rubber lines to see if that works; 
   buy a new hose from Van Cafe for $265  (about $15 per inch!); 
   or find another solution

If anyone has a reasonably priced power steering line, or another helpful suggestion, let me know!

- Mike

Mike Finkbiner            

'87 Westy
Moscow, Idaho
mike_l_f@hotmail.com         

                   Happiness is a moving target