trouble with my aaz into 91 vanagon conversion PS pump - IDI Engine - VWDiesel.net The IDI, TDI, and mTDI source.

• trouble with my aaz into 91 vanagon conversion PS pump by allsierra123 on 03 Mar, 2009 11:45
• Ok how important really is the power steering? Could I leave the pump off? The stock T stat housing on the AAz interferes with the passenger side motor mount bracket. So I changed housings the new one interferes with mounting the PS pump. Any Ideas or suggestions would be helpful at this point Im about to ditch the pump. How badly would I miss It and would it cause any other problems with a van that previously had it?
• #1 by Sam Johnson on 03 Mar, 2009 19:31
• Allsierra123,
  
  About six months ago I changed my 1988 Vanagon with PS to manual.  As Andrew suggested you want to locate a manual steering gear and switch them out.   I ran mine for a while with the PS steering wheel and that was okay.  Eventually I switched to a manual steering wheel and it does make a difference but not all that much.  
  
  I was concerned it might be like driving an old tractor but even my wife drives the Van without any problem.  You will get used to the difference fairly quickly.   Of course you only feel it when you are parking or turning from a stop.  On the road their is no difference.
  
  Good luck,  Sam
  Tucson, AZ
• #2 by the caveman on 03 Mar, 2009 20:13
• Dump the pump, get some exercise while parking.
• #3 by syncroserge on 04 Mar, 2009 06:57
• Try the JX t-stat elbow first, 030 121 121 B, $12 from the dealer.
  No interference with the motor mount or ps pump on the ones I've seen.
• #4 by blackdogvan on 04 Mar, 2009 09:36
• I hate to admit it but I've been driving around with a dead pump for a while & a new pump in box on my desk mocking me daily. Can't say I really miss it that much tho, just notice it parking.
• #5 by allsierra123 on 04 Mar, 2009 10:24
• good to know. Anyone know of an online dealer I can order from? We dont have one closer than 100 miles away.
• #6 by syncroserge on 04 Mar, 2009 11:31
• Here, https://www.1stvwparts.com/partscat.html
  
  there, http://www.worldimpex.com/parts/genuine-part-adapter_41627.html
  
  shouldn't be hard to find it's on 98-01 Passat also.
• #7 by arb on 04 Mar, 2009 11:58
• I removed the PS from my 92' Caravan for my diesel conversion.... I'm sure it will be just fine. I had to adapt a 1988 new manual rack & pinion as they stopped making a manual version on that bigger vehicle.
• #8 by syncroserge on 04 Mar, 2009 14:40
• I ran my syncro westy for 5 years  with a 1,6td with the pump on and off.
  I couldn't find a setup that pleased me, but a loaded syncro westy can be
  a handfull off-road without the pump.
  
  I agree though that it's not that bad. Yanking the pump or switching to a
  manual rack is just fine.
• #9 by Syncroincity on 12 Nov, 2009 20:53
• Thanks for that, Andrew, I wasn't aware of that particular AAZ issue.
  
  Nice work-around.