Loose steering and alignment

[ddowsett]

I just invested in a 1991 vanagon I bought recently. All bushings and bearings replaced, upgraded to new Michelin Defender 16" wheels. Sticker shock caused me to pass on a new steering rack because I was told it was fine for now. Drives really well and I do not see or feel any perceptible pull, steering column wobble etc. BusLab did a great job.

Here's the rub. After wheels put on I was told to go and get it aligned. The recommended alignment shop would not complete the alignment because they felt there was too much looseness in the steering rack. So.... perhaps a big mistake not having that taken care of at the same time.

My question is whether I really need to get it aligned if it feels good and is not pulling. The wheel is crooked probably from previous misalignment but is that just cosmetic now that I have the new bushings/bearings etc. I understand that alignments are not perfect anyway on vanagons if you don't align with the proper or usual loading anyway (e.g. two people of typical passenger weight sitting in the front seat).

So to save/delay an estimated $1,000 on a new steering rack am I being pound foolish and compromising my expensive tires. Can I tell whether or not I need an alignment? [e.g. if I release the wheel in a flat area it doesn't drift).

Thanks!
Denise

[MarkWard]

I'd find someone that knows vanagons. If there is play at the rack, it would be the inner tierods or the mounting bushings which don't require a new rack. If the rack is leaking power steering fluid, then is the time to replace the rack.

Camber adjustment, not affected by the rack is a pretty forgiving spec. You should be able to set the toe right to spec.

There is a very good thread titled DIY alignment. I do something similar to get to my alignment shop.

You won't know if your alignment is really out till the tires start wearing. By then it is too late.
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[ddowsett]

Thanks Mark. BusLab in Oakland will do the work for me. Not really knowing until tires start wearing was enough for me not to be penny wise, pound foolish.

[IdahoDoug]

Agree with Mark. Have some good eyes on it to confirm it's not just a tie rod - perhaps the buslab folks? Let me guess - the alignment shop offered to put a new rack on? Just generating business.

Alignment shops in my area will listen to me say "hey, my Audi is 30 years old and I get it won't be perfect - can you align it so I can enjoy driving this classic without $2000 worth of bushings and a new steering rack?". And they'll do a great job. Yes there are alignment shops that are part of national chains that will not deviate from their lawyer written policies and will only work on a car that's new and near perfect. Sounds like you found one.

Don't despair. I could tell you in 5 minutes where the slack is by laying on a towel while you wiggle the steering wheel and I feel each component in turn. And I'm not in the business. You need someone like that and obviously Buslab is up to that with ease.
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1987 2WD Wolfsburg Vanagon Weekender "Mango", two fully locked 80 Series LandCruisers. 2017 Subaru Outback boxer. 1990 Audi 90 Quattro 20V with rear locking differential, 1990 burgundy parts Vanagon. 1984 Porsche 944, 1988 Toyota Supra 5 speed targa, 2002 BMW 325iX, 1982 Toyota Sunrader

[ddowsett]

While I have your attention (I am the novice and you are clearly experienced), is the Burley swing-away easy to install? I upgraded to the Defender 16" and as far as I can tell there is no under-carriage solution for this size of tire.

From what I have read the Van Cafe (Rocky Mountain) solution is good but not that easy to install. BusLab has a $1000 Austrian-made solution but I'd also have to pay for them to install it as it is a bit tricky to align apparently.

I am leaning towards the Burley as being sturdy and easy to use.

Thanks!
Denise

[ddowsett]

Thanks IdahoDoug for your words of comfort!

I keep thinking there can't possibly be anything else to replace and then....

[Wildthings]

[DuncanS]

16 x 205's can be mounted in the clamshell with a simple no weld mod. I recently did it.

Duncan

[ddowsett]

Dear Duncan:

Late replying to your post about your clamshell mod to fit 16/205. I just made it to New Jersey from California after a 20-day road trip. The vanagon handled very well with just the new tires, bushings and bearings, and aligning to the best of the shop's capability.

I still do not have a spare tire carrier; I'm having difficulty pulling the trigger on $600-$1000 swing-aways before installation. So I just put the tire in back and pulled it out and in when I camped.

I would be very interested in more detail about your clamshell mod if there are any instructions. Thank you in advance.

[candyman]

[vanis13]

[Crooked Designer]

I just did that modification, but had some different results than others. I think the common element is pulling out the steel bars that create the top slice of bread of the "sandwich" around the stock spare tire. These are also the pins on the hinge for the clamshell, so you'll have to replace those with bolts. Can't remember the spec of those bolts off hand. And once you get the tire up there, the tire being significantly wider than previous stock spare, you'll need a spacer for the bolt securing the front of the clamshell. BenTSyncro makes longer latches as well, but I haven't done that part yet.

Post and pix here. Including dimensions of that bay from a 1985 2wd westy.

Sorry, forgot to mention the tire was a 205, but 15 inch.
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'85 Westy full camper, Subaru 2.5L, 5 speed SubiGears + 5speedbus shifter kit

[Howesight]

Since the alignment shop advised that there was "too much looseness" in the steering rack, is it possible that Buslab did not replace the factory bushings that mount the steering rack? When I replaced my factory steering rack bushings with urethane units, the improvement in steering feel was night and day. Obviously, some of the hard parts (pinion, tie rod ends) can wear, but the Vanagon rack is generally a sturdy unit not prone to significant wear. Leaks are another matter . . .
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'86 Syncro Westy SVX

[Squidfish]

[vanis13]

[vanis13]

[SCM]

$1000 to replace a PS rack seems quite high to me.
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'91 Westfalia GL Automatic (GTA "Turbo" Rebuild w/Peloquin) and 2.3L GoWesty Engine