Malcolm Holser wrote:

> >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).

Well, thanks for this advice...I've checked mine and honestly I can't even tell if
there is rubber on them...perhaps they've hardened up over time.  Regardless, I
have them on order from Ron and will let the list know the outcome.  I'm praying
this is the problem 1.) cause I hate having undiagnosable (by me) problems
festering and 2.) I don't particularly like wondering if I will ever lose the
steering in my van.  Just for kicks tonight, drive on a nice curvy back road and
right in the middle of a tight left turn with trees all around (maybe even a nice,
steep drop off) picture losing your steering right...NOW!!!  Yeah, I'm gonna get
this fixed.
Mark