I bought an new '85 Vanagon with power steering.  Liked it.  It went out a few
miles after the warranty expired.  VW wanted $600.00 to replace the rack and
pinion  (all the seals were blown).  I went to a junk yard and bought a manual
rack and pinion for $150.00 and changed it over.  The most noticable
difference is when turning sharp corners at low speed.  On the open road, no
real difference except more power since the little 1.9L engine is not spinning
a power steering pump anymore.

   I found if I keep sufficient air in the front tires, I never miss the power
steering; neither does the little missus.  If the air is low in the front
tires, though, it is a bugger to steer.  To my mind, power steering is like
power door locks, just something else to go wrong and cost money.

Russell Gunter