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Tue Jul 01, 2025 10:22 am

Is this a bad idea?

My '86 has power steering, but it's clear that the rack has already been replaced once with a junkyard part and I don't know if I want to do another.

I'm starting to get a whine from the rack and everything looks fine.

I noticed most places only list the manual rack from '80-'85. Is that just because those or the only years that a manual rack was an option, or is there a difference in fitment between the two?

Tue Jul 01, 2025 10:37 am

You need the rack and the steering shaft attached to it to convert properly. It's plug and play.

I think it's a bad idea, especially since new manual racks are criminal shite...
And your spindles are shorter by 10mm at the tie rod end attachment, so you'll end up forcing even more than another factory van with manual rack unless you replace those as well.

They were only offered up to 85 in the US that's why, some Weekender Westfalia in 87 oddly, but all years in Europe.

Tue Jul 01, 2025 11:19 am

My AC isn't working right, should I convert it a no AC bus? No silly, fix the thing. Downgrades are not typically a first choice.

Tue Jul 01, 2025 12:03 pm

My Suzuki Samurai (a MUCH shorter wheelbase than my Westy) is a bear to parallel park with its non-power steering. I can't imagine dealing with that in my van.

Swapping in a rebuilt PS rack is plug-and-play with the exception of flushing the fluid.

Tue Jul 01, 2025 12:55 pm

There's an old thread about this topic here:

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=225260

Tue Jul 01, 2025 1:02 pm

Just do it, simpler is better. Just be sure to upgrade to the correct size steering wheel:

:wink:

- Dave

Tue Jul 01, 2025 1:42 pm

1988M5 wrote: My AC isn't working right, should I convert it a no AC bus? No silly, fix the thing. Downgrades are not typically a first choice.

I guess the idea of "downgrade" is open to interpretation.

As far as I can tell, I'm currently driving with an incredibly inefficient manual rack. Going to a full manual rack setup means less hoses, belts, pumps, fluids, and other points of failure.

I'm not afraid of having to put a little more muscle into turning. It's why I go to the gym every morning.

I am always worried about the fact that this would (appear to) be the second time a power steering rack has failed in this van.

Tue Jul 01, 2025 1:57 pm

I converted my 84 to Power Steering using a unit from an '85 Westy. I had to have the return hose prepared at a local hose shop. I had all the other stuff which was a junk yard pull from many years ago. I was able to fit everything up with the Power Steering Pump that came on the ALH TDI engine. I used the OE Vanagon Power Steering reservoir.

I've never looked back even after later having to rebuild the rack myself. It is an easy job. There is a Thread on how to do the rebuild. I bought a Gates kit off Rockauto.

Tue Jul 01, 2025 2:05 pm

ProbablyNotIan wrote:
I'm not afraid of having to put a little more muscle into turning. It's why I go to the gym every morning.

I am always worried about the fact that this would (appear to) be the second time a power steering rack has failed in this van.

I worry about putting extra strain on the steering shaft connections etc. although I guess they would/should have overbuilt that.

As for this being the second failed rack - that easily could be due to metal bits from the PS pump circulating through the system damaging the seals of the new rack. Was the pump replaced and fluid flushed when the second rack was installed?

Tue Jul 01, 2025 2:38 pm

As a Manual only Vanagon since it's an early '84, I'll add that you need to think about people parking REALLY close to you in Parallel parking, if that's a thing where you live.
Living in Chicago, we regularly have people with much more Modern vehicles cram themselves up near our bumpers , usually it's the Front one... :roll:
I've installed a Back Up Camera to deal with watching how much space I've got behind me, but,,,, :lol: :lol:

Anyhow, I TOO appreciate the simplicity of the Manual Rack system, but wish we HAD power steering in City Parking woes at times..
If that's a Non-Issue for you being in Idaho, you'll probably be fine with Manual Steering if you go that route.

Tue Jul 01, 2025 2:39 pm

SCM wrote:
I worry about putting extra strain on the steering shaft connections etc. although I guess they would/should have overbuilt that.

This is a fair point. You would hope they overbuilt, but I've owned enough VW's over the years to know that hope is what kills you.

SCM wrote: As for this being the second failed rack - that easily could be due to metal bits from the PS pump circulating through the system damaging the seals of the new rack. Was the pump replaced and fluid flushed when the second rack was installed?

That I don't know. This van didn't come with a lot of documentation. I just was under there working on my fuel lines and saw the telltale grease pen of a junkyard on the side of the rack.

Tue Jul 01, 2025 3:46 pm

My daily driver for the last ten years is a small Ford station wagon with a de-powered rack. I did pick up a manual rack at the junkyard years ago but haven't gotten around to swapping it over.
I'm strong enough that it's only a minor nuisance.

The family Vanagon has power steering, which is important as my wife also drives it.

Tue Jul 01, 2025 4:08 pm

Fly, meet ointment:

There are several threads where people go on about how much they love their electric power steering

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=732157&postorder=asc
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=731660&postorder=asc

For your consideration.

Tue Jul 01, 2025 5:03 pm

If you are starting with a manual steering van it might make sense to consider the electric system, avoiding the long pipes and hoses and tracking down all the stock parts.

Tue Jul 01, 2025 6:36 pm

Van den Broke wrote: If you are starting with a manual steering van it might make sense to consider the electric system, avoiding the long pipes and hoses and tracking down all the stock parts. ^^^^ This - it's what I did - but if you are starting with factory PS, surely it makes sense to repair or rebuild or replace with similar. Especially if there are dedicated rebuild kits available!

Tue Jul 01, 2025 9:23 pm

I have the manual rack in my 84 and at some point upgraded to late model spindles and big brakes. I didn't really notice any additional strain to park the van with that setup and rocked it for a couple years that way. Now I have the EPS setup from Slaughterhouse and it's been a pretty incredible jump in refinement. Parking, rough roads, wind gusts, etc don't really raise any sort of alarm anymore, and last I looked their EPS was only compatible with the manual rack.

Tue Jul 01, 2025 10:12 pm

Van den Broke wrote: If you are starting with a manual steering van it might make sense to consider the electric system, avoiding the long pipes and hoses and tracking down all the stock parts.

fxr wrote: ^^^^ This - it's what I did - but if you are starting with factory PS, surely it makes sense to repair or rebuild or replace with similar. Especially if there are dedicated rebuild kits available!

:thumbsup:

Wed Jul 02, 2025 6:33 pm

Do it. Then send me your old "worn out rack". I'll pay shipping.............

Wed Jul 02, 2025 8:07 pm

ProbablyNotIan wrote: 1988M5 wrote: My AC isn't working right, should I convert it a no AC bus? No silly, fix the thing. Downgrades are not typically a first choice.
I guess the idea of "downgrade" is open to interpretation.

Going to a full manual rack setup means less hoses, belts, pumps, fluids, and other points of failure.

Pretty sure just about any way you look at it, manual is a 100% downgrade. You can go aircooled and take out the wbx which would mean less hoses, belts, pumps, fluids etc... lol. Not trying to give any jabs its just that PS is effective and for many relatively problem free. Unless your looking for horsepower, dont you get 10hp by removing that pulley and belt. :D

Anyway like someone mentioned, there's a good thread on here on rebuilding them, many have done it. Might be worthwhile in looking into that option.

GL

Thu Jul 03, 2025 7:28 am

I went from power to manual on an '85 GL many years ago. My power rack was shot and I found a full, pretty much new manual setup in a U-pull-it yard back when Vanagons were plentiful, steering wheel and all.

I liked the simplicity. I liked the bigger steering wheel so much that I later installed one on my Syncro (with power steering.)