I am hardly an expert on Vanagon power steering but from the hydraulics point of view, if the restrictor is in the suction line,(I'm sure its not), it will cause the pump to cavitate and whine....maybe like a banshee.   If it is in the pressure line from the pump to the steering mechanism, it will just make some heat and the flow will be basically unchanged unless its so restrictive that it makes the oil dump across the relief valve. (once again I'm sure its not)
The system should work with or without the restrictor.   It may create some "damping" in the system and prevent rapid pressure changes.

Steve

On May 13, 2013, at 5:47 AM, Frank Condelli wrote:

>        "Absolutely!!" , well��.this is one of those very debatable issues.  I rebuild these hoses here <www.frankcondelli.com/hose.htm> I have done hundreds of them, none have had the restrictor replaced as it is unavailable unless you can recuperate the old one in the rebuilding process.  They have been sent out all over North America and I have installed them myself in customers vans here in my shop and I have not had any complaints from anyone and none of the ones I have installed here in my shop cause any sort of "wail like a banshee" or any other abnormal sound.  Just my personal experience.  
> 
> 
> On 2013-05-12, at 11:17 PM, Automatic digest processor <LISTSERV@GERRY.VANAGON.COM> wrote:
> 
>> Absolutely!!
>> 
>> That is a restrictor and without it your system will wail like a
>> banshee! It's gotta be there.
> 
> 
> 
> Cheers,    
> 
> Frank Condelli
> Almonte, Ontario, Canada
> '87 VW Westy, '00 Kawasaki 250 Sherpa, "98 Ducati 750 Monster & Lionel Trains (Collection for sale)
> Frank Condelli & Associates - Vanagon/Vanagon Westfalia Service in the Ottawa Valley
> BusFusion a VW Camper camping event, Almonte, ON, June 06 ~ 09, 2013