Author Topic: trouble with my aaz into 91 vanagon conversion PS pump  (Read 2904 times)

March 03, 2009, 11:45:44 am

allsierra123

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trouble with my aaz into 91 vanagon conversion PS pump
« on: March 03, 2009, 11:45:44 am »
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?

Reply #1March 03, 2009, 07:31:31 pm

Sam Johnson

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trouble with my aaz into 91 vanagon conversion PS pump
« Reply #1 on: March 03, 2009, 07:31:31 pm »
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

Reply #2March 03, 2009, 08:13:04 pm

the caveman

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trouble with my aaz into 91 vanagon conversion PS pump
« Reply #2 on: March 03, 2009, 08:13:04 pm »
Dump the pump, get some exercise while parking.
" I'm a vegetarian,not because i love animals, it's because i hate plants"
1970 Type 3 fastback
1972 Renault 12
1971 Super Beetle 140 HP 159 ft lbs
1987 Fox
1989 TD Jetta
1990 Fox
1989 Fox
1998 TDI Jetta
1990 T3 German MIL Transporter 1.9 na Giles super pump
1997 Jetta GLX TDI

Reply #3March 04, 2009, 06:57:50 am

syncroserge

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trouble with my aaz into 91 vanagon conversion PS pump
« Reply #3 on: March 04, 2009, 06:57:50 am »
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.
Westfalia Syncro '91 TDI se transforme lentement
mais sūrement en 16".

Jetta '97 TDI

Reply #4March 04, 2009, 09:36:20 am

blackdogvan

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trouble with my aaz into 91 vanagon conversion PS pump
« Reply #4 on: March 04, 2009, 09:36:20 am »
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.
1991 Vanagon 1.9 mTDI

Reply #5March 04, 2009, 10:24:34 am

allsierra123

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trouble with my aaz into 91 vanagon conversion PS pump
« Reply #5 on: March 04, 2009, 10:24:34 am »
good to know. Anyone know of an online dealer I can order from? We dont have one closer than 100 miles away.

Reply #6March 04, 2009, 11:31:26 am

syncroserge

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trouble with my aaz into 91 vanagon conversion PS pump
« Reply #6 on: March 04, 2009, 11:31:26 am »
Westfalia Syncro '91 TDI se transforme lentement
mais sūrement en 16".

Jetta '97 TDI

Reply #7March 04, 2009, 11:58:59 am

arb

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trouble with my aaz into 91 vanagon conversion PS pump
« Reply #7 on: March 04, 2009, 11:58:59 am »
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.

Reply #8March 04, 2009, 02:40:48 pm

syncroserge

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trouble with my aaz into 91 vanagon conversion PS pump
« Reply #8 on: March 04, 2009, 02:40:48 pm »
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.
Westfalia Syncro '91 TDI se transforme lentement
mais sūrement en 16".

Jetta '97 TDI

Reply #9November 12, 2009, 08:53:25 pm

Syncroincity

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Re: trouble with my aaz into 91 vanagon conversion PS pump
« Reply #9 on: November 12, 2009, 08:53:25 pm »
Thanks for that, Andrew, I wasn't aware of that particular AAZ issue. :P

Nice work-around.
JC McCavitt
'86 Syncro GL Camper AAZ
'98 Jetta Wolfie
'04 Passat Variant GLS 4Mo 5MT