I would undo both tie rod ends, and then turn the steering..
van jacked up, wheels off of course, and see if you feel anything then.

that may or may not reveal something.

On 3/18/2014 8:37 PM, Dennis Haynes wrote:
> Check the universal joint going to the rack. These will cause the steering
> to bind when it seizes. These joints are hard to find and expensive. This
> would be a good time to down grade to a manual rack if you can find one.
>
> Dennis
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
> Max Wellhouse
> Sent: Tuesday, March 18, 2014 10:50 PM
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: Funny "catch" in the steering
>
> Hi:  A long trip to So. Missouri last w/e developed a strange symptom in my
> 90 GL that has close to 270k on it.  I removed the Power steering pump and
> metal lines some 7-8 years ago and capped off the steering sector  leaving
> some fluid in there for lubrication thinking that I would eventually convert
> the van to a manual rack and tie rods.  That hasn't happened yet, as I was
> waiting until I had time to do the control
> arm bushings etc. simultaneosly.   Well, now the van has developed a
> definite "catching spot" or two while doing tight turn maneuvers, but
> doesn't present itself going down the highway.
>
>
> I'm wondering if this catch is related to a dry steering sector which could
> be alleviated by pouring some more ATF down in the system or whether the
> original  control arm bushings upper ball joints(also OEM) might be to
> blame.  If there's a third or fourth possiblity, I'd listen to that as well.
>
> TIA
>
>
> DM&FS
>