>Finally fixed this problem myself today.  My steering couplings all "looked"
>good and were properly torqued but that same noise was driving me insane too
>(I was thinking bad shock).  Ended up that the coupling from the transfer
gear
>to the connecting shaft broke when turning into a parking space at work
(thank
>the gods not an offramp or anything).  After replacing it the noise is gone
>and the steering is tighter than ever =)
>
>Ron at the BusDepot has em for about $10 each. Part # 251-419-417B. I hope
>this is your problem too as it is an easy and inexpensive fix.
>
These should be like the fuel lines.  You should replace these every ten
years whether they need it or not.  There are three of these little rubber
donuts on the steering, and they do deteriorate.  The damage is not always
apparent from the outside, and toqueing them does not help (unlike the similar
parts on other makes, the VW ones have steel inserts where the bolts go
through).

The VW parts a really well made, and I think they are worth the dealer price.
If Ron sells these for a ten-spot, everyone should buy a set for their old
bus.  Rubber deteriorates in time, and all Vanagons have seen the time.  At
the very least, you should remove the easy one to get to (under the car -- the
one inside does not seem to go as fast) and check it for cracks.  You'll
probably find some.  On my set of Vanagons, the '80 had both outside ones
completely shot, the inside one was fine.  I replaced all.  The three '86's
have had only two replaced in total.  I might spring for the few $$$ and
do the rest, even though they seem alright.

I carry a spare -- they are small, and the steering is an important part of
the operation of my vehicle.

Malcolm H.