BENT AND TWISTED FINGERS. THE TEXTURE (FINISH) WORE OFF THE STEERING. THE STEERING SYSTEM ON THIS ASTRO IS STIFF "HIGH EFFORT" REQUIRED BY THE DRIVER TO HOLD THE WHEEL AND ALSO TURN. WHEN MAKING A TURN THE WHEEL BECOMES HARDER TO HOLD. TOO MUCH CASTER? THE FINISH WORE OFF THE WHEEL AND THUS A REPLACEMENT WAS PROVIDED BY THE DEALER AT GETTLES AUTO MALL IN SEBEWAING. I LEARNED AT THAT TIME THAT MANY DRIVERS WERE COMPLAINING THAT THE STEERING WHEELS WERE BECOMING SLIPPERLY, DIFFICULT TO HOLD. AT THE TIME MY RIGHT TENNIS ELBOW SYMPTON WAS VERY PAINFUL, AND LATER MY RIGHT SHOULDER BECAME PAINFUL. THIS IS BECAUSE OF THE TIGHT STEERING SYSTEM ON THIS VAN. THIS STIFF STEERING DESIGN DEFECT IS NOT CONSIDERATE OF THE HUMAN TOLERANCE FOR THIS TIGHT STEERING AND AS A RESULT THE JOINTS, MUSCLES, TENDONS BECOME CRIPPLING PAINFUL. FINGERS BECOME TWISTED AND BENT. A FRIEND OF MINE HAS A 1988 ASTRO AND HIS FINGERS ARE BENT AND TWISTED, AND HE HAS CRONIC LEFT SHOULDER PAIN. MR. GILBERT MATTSON. PLEASE CONTACT ME. 989-665-2311 DT