Jim,
        Methinks it has to do with the nature of the beast!  My ex's 85
GL blew the seals out of the P/S rack about 5 years ago.  Told her to
limp over to the VW dealer in Chattanooga and have them look at it.
Service manager gave me a quote of about $1800.  Started looking through
the $100 (Bentley?) manual and noticed a VW "rebuild kit" for the rack.
Checked with Harry Guinn down in Ft. Olglethorpe, GA and he told me he
takes them out, sends them to a hydraulic co. in Texas and, depending
upon whether or not they have a re-built unit in stock, gets a rebuilt
unit within 3 days - max of 7 days. Trekked over to the VW dealer to
talk to the service manager about them rebuilding the rack with VW's
"kit" vs having Harry handle it.  He was a bit sheepish about
admitting     that he had no one in the shop who had ever rebuilt one
and was not particularly enthused about having one of his mechanics
become the "first" to try.  He did, though, want me to let him know how
Harry's fared.  Seems like Harry charged me $495.00, total.

Face the facts, VW owners are a bit on the weird side.

BOB - WA4RRN