My '88 Westfalia has Continental Contact 185 R 14 tires, which were
put on about a year or so ago by the previous owner.  The maximum
pressure listed on the tires' sidewall is 40 PSI.  However, the
tire sticker on the van itself reccomends 43 PSI in the front, and
53 PSI in the rear.

I've got all 4 tires at 40 PSI now, but when I steer they feel
underinflated to me.  It's very subjective, though.  I guess the
main effect I feel is that, if I release the steering wheel
after a turn, it doesn't return to straight on it's own - I
have to turn it pretty hard.  It feels like there's too much
friction.  In my other car, that usually means underinflated tires.

I seem to remember the previous owner said he kept the tires
inflated to the van sticker pressure (rather than the tire
sidewall pressure), but that sounds dangerous to me.  Wouldn't
that make the tire more likely to burst?

Since VW reccomends about 20% less pressure in the front than
the back, should I lower my front tires to 32 PSI?  I'd think
that would make things worse.

Any thoughts or suggestions?

                               -Steven