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dkoesyncro Samba Member
Joined: December 10, 2006 Posts: 982
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Posted: Tue Jan 26, 2016 6:33 pm Post subject: Syncro power steering: do or don't? |
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I'm trying to get opinions of those who have it or don't, had it or installed it?
I have it, like it but worry that it's one more potential problem? My old air cooled vans never had them, I got around fine!
Thanks |
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syncrodoka Samba Member
Joined: December 27, 2005 Posts: 12005 Location: Santa Cruz, CA
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Posted: Tue Jan 26, 2016 6:40 pm Post subject: Re: syncro power steering, do or dont? |
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I drove around a syncro and 2wd for a short while without power steering, it absolutely sucked. Offroad I really wouldn't want manual steering.
If you want to change over to manual steering you need to source a new manual rack and bigger steering wheel. |
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syncro2x Samba Member
Joined: April 16, 2009 Posts: 110 Location: Calgary
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Posted: Tue Jan 26, 2016 6:54 pm Post subject: Re: syncro power steering, do or dont? |
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My syncro tintop has manual steering and it is a work out when parking or manuvering at slow speed. My 2wd Westy has power and is a pleasure to drive in comparrision. The only downside to power is when your steering rack craps out and cost big bucks. If I had a choice I would go for power. Think the Bays Windows were lighter and manual was adaquate. |
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RainierSyncro Samba Member
Joined: February 26, 2013 Posts: 806 Location: Seattle
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Posted: Tue Jan 26, 2016 11:30 pm Post subject: Re: syncro power steering, do or dont? |
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My German import Syncro is as bare bones basic as it can get (no clock and a 5 digit odo). I went from a GL with PS to no PS with the Syncro. Hard turns in a parking lot without PS requires serious muscle. The bigger diameter steering wheel doesn't help much either. The only trick is to keep moving forward for easier steering. I would like PS, but that would be another cost above an beyond the pile of $$$ I've already shoveled into it. |
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insyncro Banned
Joined: March 07, 2002 Posts: 15086 Location: New York
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Posted: Wed Jan 27, 2016 5:32 am Post subject: Re: Syncro power steering: do or don't? |
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PS is a good idea for a Syncro.
Not hard to install if it didn't come equipped.
Yes, it will cost $yncro though. |
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Jeff's Old Volks Home Samba Member
Joined: December 19, 2011 Posts: 819 Location: Chester Basin, Nova Scotia
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Posted: Wed Jan 27, 2016 7:12 am Post subject: Re: Syncro power steering: do or don't? |
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Do. _________________ www.jeffsoldvolkshome.com
2004 Jetta TDi Wagon
2002 Smyth Ute TDi
1990 Vanagon weekender Syncro AAZ
1987 Syncro Doka AAZ...soon to be TDI
2014 DL650ABS Xpedition
1986 Weekender Syncro (Under construction)
1987 Westfalia (Under construction)
1987 Syncro Single cab |
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hans j Samba Member
Joined: May 06, 2006 Posts: 2714 Location: Salt Lake City UT
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Posted: Wed Jan 27, 2016 7:59 am Post subject: Re: Syncro power steering: do or don't? |
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If planning on it, I'd just do it. I don't have P/S in my syncro westy and I manage just fine, including serious off roading. But maybe I'm used to it or have strong arms. I'm considering an electric P/S steering column though, because, honestly P/S is nice. But it's not happening any time soon because I have other stuff to do first... _________________ 1986 Canadian Syncro Westy TDI - 1989 Syncro Single Cab - 2001 Audi S4 - 1981 VW Caddy ABA - 1980 VW Caddy EV - 1973 VW T-181 |
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BavarianWrench Samba Member
Joined: January 18, 2004 Posts: 1045 Location: Oceans Edge
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Posted: Wed Jan 27, 2016 8:17 am Post subject: Re: Syncro power steering: do or don't? |
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It will kill your resale, absolutely do not remove it over concerns of expense. I've had two Factory Syncros that had no PS. Ive owned five Syncros with it. Power Steering is nice to have. I do fine with out it but there are those times you wish you had Power Steering. I have never wished I did not have it.
dkoesyncro I just reviewed your build, its cool. You've got the skills to handle any issues your power steering might throw at you. Are your lines rusty? If not just enjoy it. |
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axeman Samba Member
Joined: December 11, 2009 Posts: 162 Location: east kent, uk
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Posted: Wed Jan 27, 2016 9:16 am Post subject: Re: Syncro power steering: do or don't? |
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i would say that power steering is and absolute must have. it make the whole experience of driving these old busses a pleasure rather than a chore.
living in the uk and having a rhd doka with out power steering it was always on the list of wants but rhd t3 power steering racks comarnd a high price, i do not like the idea of eps so anouther solution was sought.
the rack has the same stroke as the standard t3 ps rack so there is no loss of turning circle. it was sourced from a very popular and common car. which makes them cheap and easy to source, there is no reason why this could not be done with a lhd t3 and lhd rack if the origional ones are becoming costly and hard to source.
neil _________________ 1957, 1200cc 30hp, big window, delux beetle, swedish modle, now living in france
1991 holdsworth villa 3, 2.1, uk van, now sold
1991 syncro doka uk van was 2.1 now B230, out with the b230 and in with a 1.8 20v, and 4 doors
1987 syncro westy was 1.6 jx now ej22 |
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Michael4104 Samba Member
Joined: February 09, 2014 Posts: 340 Location: Livermore, Ca
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Posted: Wed Jan 27, 2016 9:40 am Post subject: Re: Syncro power steering: do or don't? |
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Quote: |
the rack has the same stroke as the standard t3 ps rack so there is no loss of turning circle. it was sourced from a very popular and common car. which makes them cheap |
Are you going to tell us what car or is it a secret? _________________ 1990 Wolfsburg Carat with new poptop.
1985 Westy now sporting a 1995 Jetta ABA 2.0L. Sold |
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GWTWTLW Samba Member
Joined: April 22, 2008 Posts: 2174 Location: Portland, OR
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Posted: Wed Jan 27, 2016 10:18 am Post subject: Re: Syncro power steering: do or don't? |
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I would find it extremely difficult to navigate the pit at Mogfest with a beer in one hand without power steering... _________________ 89 Syncro Westy - GW 2.5, now with a double knob job
@gwtwtlw |
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dkoesyncro Samba Member
Joined: December 10, 2006 Posts: 982
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Posted: Wed Jan 27, 2016 3:13 pm Post subject: Re: Syncro power steering: do or don't? |
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It's difficult holding a beer with two hands while in the pit at mogfest!
I have PS , I'm wrestling the fuel tank and noticed all the parts in the way and just got caught up on the thought. My lines are good.
Axeman, I'd like to know what PS rack you've found that works?
Bavarian wrench, thanks for the compliment. |
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WestyBob Samba Member
Joined: June 11, 2004 Posts: 2346 Location: Portland, Oregon
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Posted: Wed Jan 27, 2016 5:26 pm Post subject: Re: Syncro power steering: do or don't? |
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Years ago I converted an '88 sinka syncro from manual to power and never looked back. I was especially glad to get rid of that larger steering wheel.
I did drive a friends doka with M/S though and it was easier than mine was before conver.
But I simply don't rec. going to manual until such time as the power gives out and you can't find or afford a replacement. |
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mackaymanx Samba Member
Joined: October 12, 2006 Posts: 479 Location: Australia
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Posted: Wed Jan 27, 2016 6:04 pm Post subject: Re: Syncro power steering: do or don't? |
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A big +1 on power steering for a Syncro, drove a Tintop around for a couple months and ended up dropping the drive shaft until I had a buyer.
They are a bit of a pig around town without power steering |
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Microbusdeluxe Samba Member
Joined: July 26, 2003 Posts: 980 Location: Bellingham, WA
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Posted: Wed Jan 27, 2016 8:59 pm Post subject: Re: Syncro power steering: do or don't? |
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Well I've got to dissent from the majority. My '81 Westy did not have power steering and it took a lot of brute strength to turn. My '89 16" Westy syncro also lacks power steering yet is quite easy to manuever, go figure.
The syncro is very heavy beast, I never crawl under it without 3 jack points supporting it, but it turns so much easier than the old '81. So I'd never consider adding power steering, one more thing to break. _________________ '69 Squareback RIP
'65 21 window deluxe sold before the price spike, damn it.
'70 rhd bay now a taxi in South Sudan
'81 Westy sold
'89 hightop Westy Joker syncro 16" now with Bostig! |
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Team WorldTour Samba Member
Joined: September 02, 2010 Posts: 2426 Location: Der Vaterland
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Posted: Wed Jan 27, 2016 9:40 pm Post subject: Re: Syncro power steering: do or don't? |
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I'm with you, man. I've owned four of these guys, and my syncro is the first with MS.
I don't miss it. _________________ 1990 Feldjäger Syncro AAZ
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When All Else Fails: Lather, Rinse, Repeat! |
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photogdave Samba Member
Joined: April 05, 2004 Posts: 3048 Location: Vancouver Island, B.C.
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hans j Samba Member
Joined: May 06, 2006 Posts: 2714 Location: Salt Lake City UT
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Posted: Wed Jan 27, 2016 10:33 pm Post subject: Re: Syncro power steering: do or don't? |
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photogdave wrote: |
My first van had manual so I thought I could always go back no problem.
When my p/s belt snapped on the trail and I went from power to manual instantly I missed it right away! |
The ratio inside the power rack is different and significantly harder to turn with no assist than a manual rack. You want to steer something hard, try a Mk5 jetta with no electric assist! It's like steering bags of concrete... _________________ 1986 Canadian Syncro Westy TDI - 1989 Syncro Single Cab - 2001 Audi S4 - 1981 VW Caddy ABA - 1980 VW Caddy EV - 1973 VW T-181 |
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vanagonjr Samba Member
Joined: October 07, 2010 Posts: 3431 Location: Dartmouth, Mass.
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Posted: Thu Jan 28, 2016 7:20 pm Post subject: Re: Syncro power steering: do or don't? |
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Microbusdeluxe wrote: |
Well I've got to dissent from the majority. My '81 Westy did not have power steering and it took a lot of brute strength to turn. My '89 16" Westy syncro also lacks power steering yet is quite easy to manuever, go figure.
The syncro is very heavy beast, I never crawl under it without 3 jack points supporting it, but it turns so much easier than the old '81. So I'd never consider adding power steering, one more thing to break. |
Something is not right then. I had an 81 with manual steering and it was not a problem...and I don't exactly have gorilla-like biceps. _________________ John - 86 Wolfsburg Westfalia "Weekender"
Flint reversed 1.8T W/Passat 5-Speed
LiMBO (late model bus club) www.limbobus.org
LiMBO is on Facebook too! https://www.facebook.com/groups/
FAQ thread: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=525798 |
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MsTaboo Samba Member
Joined: June 02, 2006 Posts: 4083 Location: East Kootenay, British Columbia
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Posted: Thu Jan 28, 2016 11:34 pm Post subject: Re: Syncro power steering: do or don't? |
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Microbusdeluxe wrote: |
Well I've got to dissent from the majority. My '81 Westy did not have power steering and it took a lot of brute strength to turn. My '89 16" Westy syncro also lacks power steering yet is quite easy to manuever, go figure.
The syncro is very heavy beast, I never crawl under it without 3 jack points supporting it, but it turns so much easier than the old '81. So I'd never consider adding power steering, one more thing to break. |
Having owned that 16" rig, I have to agree that driving it never felt like a chore, however I've also owned a 14" Syncro Doka without p/s and two with (Syncro Tristar and 14"Syncro Westy) and I would definitely keep the p/s.
The Syncro Tristar was by far the more fun with p/s. It felt really light and sporty compared to the non-p/s Doka.
One other consideration is a decoupler. If you don't have p/s (and if the VC is aggressive) decoupling sure makes it easier to park. _________________ Currently:
'90 Syncro Westy 3 knob w/Zetec
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