Had the same problem with a rebuilt line. Apparently there is either a check valve or restrictor that is in the original high pressure hose. A hose without the restrictor will cause a "buzzing" noise. I replaced the rebuilt with another hose that had the restrictor....peace and quiet!! Ric> Date: Tue, 12 Jun 2012 08:38:54 -0400
> From: shelton4@GMAIL.COM
> Subject: Re: Buzzing Power Steering On '87 Van After Replacing High              Pressure Line
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> 
> I had the same problem with a line I had rebuilt by a local shop.  When I
> picked it up the guy talked about how hard it was to put the new hose on
> the fittings.  After installation, the steering rack buzzed for a couple of
> weeks before I bit the bullet and bought a new line.  There was no buzz
> from the moment I started the engine.  I think the shop installed a hose
> with a slightly smaller ID.  It's hard for me to believe, but that smaller
> line may have starved the steering rack of fluid enough to make it buzz.
> 
> On Mon, Jun 11, 2012 at 10:55 PM, Mike Finkbiner <mike_l_f@hotmail.com>wrote:
> 
> > 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
> >