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Frank Condelli & Associates
RR #2, Almonte, Ontario, Canada, K0A 1A0
Phone:
(613) 256-6763
e-Mail: Fkc43@aol.com
VW Vanagon Power Steering
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Please note that I am now back home from my travels in the US and Mexico and my shop is open for service.
Details of this adventure are at: Westfalia Travel Blog
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All prices are in Canadian dollars
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Problems & Solutions
The original power steering metal lines on the VW Vanagon from the power steering pump and resovoir tend to rust through with age and road salt contamination. Leaking will occur in small unnoticeable amounts at first from small pinholes developing along it's length, especially in sections with bends where road salt contamination is held in place by it's location under the body.
To replace these power steering lines is a nightmare due to the complexity of the bends and length. The cost of these lines from Volkswagen is outrageous. The pressure involved in the pressure line is 1400 lbs. The solution I've come up with is flexible industrial stainless steel braided hydraulic hose. This hose is rated at 4200 lbs. The other complication arises from the fittings being metric threaded. These fittings are not commonly available. I have located a source for both the hose and fittings and have these hoses made up and ready to install. The return line is made from standard hydraulic hose and installed using ordinary hose clamps.
Installation instructions are at the bottom of this page
February 03, 2007 - Now for the first time I am making the hose from the pump to the main line connection available on an exchange basis only. I have acquired a good used banjo fitting & pipe assembly and have had it coupled to a new piece of hydraulic hose as described above. I need you old hose with good banjo fitting & pipe assembly to sell you this part. Therefore you must send me at your expense your old hose assembly before I can sell you this hose.
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Vanagon Power Steering Pressure Line
Full length - steering rack to pump hose connection, 2WD & Syncro - 11.5ft. - female fittings both ends
$185.00
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Vanagon Power Steering Return Line
Full length - steering rack to resovoir - 13 ft. - with two hose clamps
$70.00
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Vanagon Power Steering Hose - Pump to main line connection
OEM bajo fitting & pipe piece coupled to new hose as described above
$125.00
Exchange only - I need your old one to sell you this one - no exceptions !
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All Canadian residents add 13% HST to goods only
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Shipping & Handling Charges for one, two or all three of the hoses
Canada & USA
Canada Post Expedited Insured Mail
$25.00
Outside USA & Canada
Please contact me for shipping and handling fees.
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Payment Options
All prices are in Canadian dollars
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Pay the amount for the products ordered, applicable taxes, shipping & handling, plus
2.9% + $ .50 - PayPal fees
E-mail order & send PayPal payment to Fkc43@aol.com
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E-mail order & pay amount of products ordered, applicable taxes plus shipping & handling.
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E-mail order & pay amount of products ordered, applicable taxes plus shipping & handling.
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Pay the amount for the products ordered, applicable taxes plus shipping & handling.
Make Payment Payable to and send to:
Frank Condelli, RR #2, Almonte, Ontario, K0A 1A0, Canada
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Personal Checks
Send order & pay the amount for the products ordered, applicable taxes plus shipping & handling.
Personal checks will have to clear my bank account before items are shipped.
Make Payment Payable to and send to:
Frank Condelli, RR #2, Almonte, Ontario, K0A 1A0, Canada
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Installation Instructions for the main lines
First remove the old metal lines. Cutting the lines into short sections will help. On 2WD models it may be impossible to remove the sections that run along side the fuel tank unless they are heavily rusted and will come loose from their clamps to the frame. Cut the return line, the larger diameter line, off at the rack at the first bend in the line leaving a short nipple to clamp the return line. Remove the fitting of the pressure line using two good fitting wrenches. Heat may be useful if the fitting is seized. It may be necessary to cut the line close to the nipple and remove the fitting along with its adapter and separate the two on the work bench with the use of a vise. Remove the pressure line at the rear from its connection to the flex hose junction leading to the pump using two good fitting wrenches. Heat here may be needed if seized. Remove the old return line from the reservoir nipple by first removing the hose clamp then slit the old line length wise on the nipple to avoid breaking off the nipple when trying to remove the old hard return line hose.
Begin the installation of the new hoses by first taping up the ends of the new hoses to prevent dirt entering in the ends while working. When routing the new hoses do not follow the path of the original metal lines where they go between the gas tank and frame rails. Vanagon Syncro models and gas heater models; follow the path of the main radiator hoses tie wrapping the new hoses to the coolant pipes. Vanagon models without the gas heater; the hoses can follow the coolant pipes to the back of the fuel tank then run through the opening in the middle of the fuel tank to the rack. Tie wrap the new hoses together with the main radiator hoses and other available locations as necessary.
Once the hoses are routed and connected flush through one quart of ATF before filling the system. You can accomplish this by leaving off the return line to the reservoir. Support the end in a container to catch the ATF. Block the return line nipple on the reservoir. Fill the reservoir, start the engine and let idle while pouring in the balance of the quart of ATF. Once all the fluid had gone through and the pump is cavitating shut down the engine. Connect the return line to the reservoir nipple, remove the top of the reservoir, clean the filter and replace then fill the system with fresh ATF to the proper level, you will need to run the engine turning the steering wheel lock to lock a few times to do this properly.
This page was last updated on July 09, 2010
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All rights reserved. April 2010