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Synthead Samba Member
Joined: November 04, 2015 Posts: 76
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Posted: Fri Sep 16, 2016 1:55 pm Post subject: Rebuilding manual steering rack? |
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My steering rack has some bad boots on it. I have new boots, but thought it would be a good idea to take it apart and clean it from dirt before sealing it up. How do I go about doing this? Should I replace any pieces as maintenance? This is on a manual (no power steering) rack. |
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Synthead Samba Member
Joined: November 04, 2015 Posts: 76
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Posted: Tue Sep 20, 2016 12:10 am Post subject: Re: Rebuilding manual steering rack? |
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Bump! Any thoughts on this one? |
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pomfritz Samba Member
Joined: December 18, 2014 Posts: 477 Location: Folsom, CA
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Posted: Tue Sep 20, 2016 10:40 am Post subject: Re: Rebuilding manual steering rack? |
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I took mine apart as part of a front suspension rebuild. I'd recommend replacing the four bushings with Powerflex ones from T3. they make a huge difference in steering feel. They unbolt from the frame pretty easily.
You should remove the rack anyways to refurb it. You'll have to remove the tied ends from the steering knuckles, this is not too hard. you also need to move the steering rack from the steering coupler, you'll see it under the van. Mark how the two parts line up for getting the alignment correct. however you will likely need a new alignment after this work anyways.
Swell as the boots you may need need new tie rods and ends. i would just go ahead and replace these.
Have a Bentley to help you through. _________________ 83.5 233K. GW 2.3, SS exhaust, My German Frau named her Stefi |
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pomfritz Samba Member
Joined: December 18, 2014 Posts: 477 Location: Folsom, CA
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Posted: Tue Sep 20, 2016 11:01 am Post subject: Re: Rebuilding manual steering rack? |
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When you remove the tie rod ends count the revolutions. Thread the new one with this same number. _________________ 83.5 233K. GW 2.3, SS exhaust, My German Frau named her Stefi |
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shagginwagon83 Samba Member
Joined: February 07, 2016 Posts: 3800 Location: VA/TN
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Posted: Tue Apr 03, 2018 8:12 pm Post subject: Re: Rebuilding manual steering rack? |
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My boots are done. So I plan on replacing the boots, tie-rod end, t3 bushings, and maybe the coupling discs. I see rebuild kits from Rock Auto. Is it possible to rebuild a manual steering rack - or do I have it pretty much covered ?
_________________ Brandon
"Jo Ann" - '83.5 Westfalia EJ22e w/Peloquin
Instagram @joannthevan |
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WestfaliaMike Samba Member
Joined: November 13, 2017 Posts: 257
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Posted: Wed Apr 04, 2018 2:55 am Post subject: Re: Rebuilding manual steering rack? |
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I’m going with a new rack, rods and boots. Just need to find the time. And I have the parts! _________________ 1981 Vanagon Westfalia
1983 Vanagon Passanger (Parts Vehicle)
2016 Passat TSI |
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Nickel_Nackel Samba Member
Joined: February 07, 2018 Posts: 187 Location: Bellingahm WA
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Posted: Wed Apr 04, 2018 9:07 am Post subject: Re: Rebuilding manual steering rack? |
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hey shagginwagon83,
Do you like the manual steering? I'm wondering if I should convert my leaky power steering to manual since its cheaper and I have to eventually replace my pump and rack
I've driven cars without ps but never a van.
just wondering your opinion on it? _________________ 1985 1.9L Potato |
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shagginwagon83 Samba Member
Joined: February 07, 2016 Posts: 3800 Location: VA/TN
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Posted: Wed Apr 04, 2018 9:28 am Post subject: Re: Rebuilding manual steering rack? |
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Nickel_Nackel wrote: |
hey shagginwagon83,
Do you like the manual steering? I'm wondering if I should convert my leaky power steering to manual since its cheaper and I have to eventually replace my pump and rack
I've driven cars without ps but never a van.
just wondering your opinion on it? |
Its not bad. Its my first vehicle without it. When parking its kind of a pain. Especially backing out of a parking spot. Def. requires both hands.
I think later down the road I plan to do a convert-to-electric power steering. Some guy did it on here and he said it was best mod he had done yet.
I'd keep the power steering if I were you. _________________ Brandon
"Jo Ann" - '83.5 Westfalia EJ22e w/Peloquin
Instagram @joannthevan |
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MarkWard Samba Member
Joined: February 09, 2005 Posts: 17153 Location: Retired South Florida
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Posted: Wed Apr 04, 2018 9:31 am Post subject: Re: Rebuilding manual steering rack? |
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Not sure what the Rock Auto rebuild kit would include for a manual rack. Nothing wrong with disassembling thoroughly cleaning, regreasing, and reassemble.
Our 82 has manual steering. I won't lie, its a bit of effort in tight spaces at slow speeds. It is simple and less systems to fail. That said, I have owned a few with working power steering and the difference is night and day. f
I just recently purchased a 90 with the power steering disabled. Of all the combinations, this one takes all the effort. Must be related to the different spindle arm lengths.
Easy to test. Remove the belt, drain the reservoir and take it for a drive. _________________ ☮️ |
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Nickel_Nackel Samba Member
Joined: February 07, 2018 Posts: 187 Location: Bellingahm WA
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Posted: Wed Apr 04, 2018 12:46 pm Post subject: Re: Rebuilding manual steering rack? |
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okay thanks _________________ 1985 1.9L Potato |
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shagginwagon83 Samba Member
Joined: February 07, 2016 Posts: 3800 Location: VA/TN
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Posted: Wed Apr 25, 2018 6:06 pm Post subject: Re: Rebuilding manual steering rack? |
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So Im working on rebuilding my manual rack. I bought two tubes of the VW steering grease. I added a whole tube to the steering rack.
Then I go to grease the ball joints on the inner tie rod. I messed up and used the VW steering grease. I should have maybe used some regular grease but anyhow the inner tie rod doesn't feel anywhere as smooth as my old untouched inner tie rod. So what type of grease should I have used and is there any fixing this besides buying new inner tie rods? _________________ Brandon
"Jo Ann" - '83.5 Westfalia EJ22e w/Peloquin
Instagram @joannthevan |
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MarkWard Samba Member
Joined: February 09, 2005 Posts: 17153 Location: Retired South Florida
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Posted: Thu Apr 26, 2018 3:45 am Post subject: Re: Rebuilding manual steering rack? |
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The new inner tierods are very tight new. I would not worry about it. Sounds normal. In time it will loosen up. _________________ ☮️ |
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shagginwagon83 Samba Member
Joined: February 07, 2016 Posts: 3800 Location: VA/TN
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Posted: Thu Apr 26, 2018 6:56 am Post subject: Re: Rebuilding manual steering rack? |
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Yeah the inner tie rods are not new. Mine seem decent. I figured this is one of these things that the VW part was superior (probably is) and I should keep it. However I don't want to take any chances as its is 35 years old, so I went ahead and bought Moog inner tie rods. _________________ Brandon
"Jo Ann" - '83.5 Westfalia EJ22e w/Peloquin
Instagram @joannthevan |
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ALIKA T3 Samba Member
Joined: July 30, 2009 Posts: 6357 Location: Honolulu,Hawaii and France
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spatiald Samba Member
Joined: May 31, 2015 Posts: 35 Location: Santa Cruz, Ca.
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Posted: Thu Jan 31, 2019 9:54 am Post subject: Re: Rebuilding manual steering rack? |
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Bumping this thread again as steering rack, inner tie rods and grease were brought up here.
I'm installing the tie rod assembly now. Replacing boots on steering rack but not replacing or rebuilding the rack. I will replace the bushings though.
Only one old boot had a few tears in it. There's a small amount of rust on the steering rack where the inner tie rod bolts in and that end is quite dry. The opposite end that had the good boot had more grease and was in better shape.
My question is: When I'm installing the new tie rod assembly should I be applying grease? If so, will any type do? or does it have to be the specific steering grease?
Thanks |
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