Have the front end shop check your Caster angle.  Raising the rear lowered
the caster angle so the front wheels are now tracking like a shopping cart
in reverse.  I had this happen years ago in an 84 from installing rear tires
taller than the front.  Was quite scary.  The caster is adjusted by turning
the nuts on the arms the locate the lower control arms.  Hope this helps.

Dennis.

PS, are you sure the van is level.  If the rear is higher than the front,
you may not have enough adjustment.  Also, have the rear alignment checked.

-----Original Message-----
From: Rick Ferguson <rfergus@RICHMOND.INFI.NET>
To: Vanagon@VANAGON.COM <Vanagon@VANAGON.COM>
Date: Tuesday, August 25, 1998 7:08 AM
Subject: Re: anti-sway bar

Hi, Thanks for replying. This all seems to have started when I
replaced the springs on the rear, raising the van up level like it
should be...the alignment shop told me that now they could get a
proper alignment. The tires are Yoko 370s the shocks are Bilstien two
years old. The power steering pump and rack were replaced about two
years ago as well...My local VW shop completely checked out the front
end and say everything is good there, they also say it is not in the
steering. They are stumped, the alignment shop says that it is
because of the rack and pinion steering and that's all they can
do...and they have a very good reputation around here. The VW shop
disagrees and say that other Vanagons and Westies don't have this
problem. Basically there is a play in the steering when I go over
bumps in the road...almost like one wheel is going over the bump
first then the other and it causes the bus to feel slightly out of
control, sometimes more than slightly...this is even more
nervewracking at higher speed in the wind, altho on smooth surface
the bus does ok. I'm at a place where a new engine is needed but I
must get this resolved before I can justify the further expense. I
love my Westie and want to keep it but I'm frustrated by this
problem. Thanks again for any advice.
Rick