Powersteering pump VS V6 Statesman fix
The powersteering pump on my VS V6 Statesman (Variatronic) sprung a serious leak from the back. Not feeling like buying a new one, I rang Repco, AutOne, Supercheap and Autobahn in Sydney. They all offered only one option, an exchange pump for at least $165.
I then researched this site and discovered a lot of people probably solved the same problem with a seal kit from Holden. The kit and a new high pressure line O ring was around $22 full retail. In either case I had to remove the pump so I decide to replace the seal.
The process:
1. Undo the powersteering pump outer pully bolts before removing the serpentine belt.
2. Remove the serpentine belt using a 15mm spanner to release the spring loaded pulley. If you haven't done this before, read the log book which also has a diagram showing the correct installation.
3. Loosen the low pressure powersteeering fluid line hose clamp where it attaches to the pump. This is the line that runs to the pump from the refill reservoir.
4. Put an old icecream container on the floor below the hose to catch any fluid when you pull off the hose.
5. Pull off the hose.
6. Cover the end of the hose with gladwrap and let it lean on the front of the ABS controller. This is higher than the refill bottle so no more fluid leaks out.
7. Undo the two bolts that hold the pump on. DON'T try and undo the high pressure line yet.
8. Lower the pump with the high pressure line still attached onto the stabaliser bar.
9. Undo the high pressure line using a second spanner to hold the pump still.
10. Turn the pump over and release excess fluid into the icecream container.
11. Remove the old O ring from the end of the high pressure line.
12. On the pump, clean the remains of the old O ring from the inside of the high pressure connection point.
13. Using a large G clamp or a steering wheel puller, compress the back cover of the pump enough to allow removal of the round spring clamp from its groove in the back of the pump. Don't be afraid to push the back cover in as far as it will go. It is spring loaded.
14. Use a pointed screwdriver to remove the spring. I used a second flat head screwdriver to get behind the spring when I had freed it a little from the groove.
15. When the back cover is off, remove the large O ring seal from its groove inside the back of the pump. I didn't bother changing any other seals because removing the inside components of the pump can be a confusing and from what I have read the rear seal is the only one that ever leaks.
16. Remove any old seal remains from the inside of the pump.
17. Installation is a reversal of the above. Pay attention to the pump bolts. The fat one goes to the top and should be installed loosely first. The lower one goes through the line support bracket before installation.
18. Make sure the fluid reservoir is topped up before starting the engine and keep topping up after starting.
If the pump groans, the system probably needs new fluid and bleeding. The following may help:
1. Jack up the front of the car supporting with stands.
2. Take the lid off the refill reservoir.
3. Remove the steering rack return line from the refill reservoir and plug the reservoir.
4. Get an assistant to hold the return line into an icecream container.
5. With the engine off, turn the steering wheel slowly to the bump stop full left and then full right a couple of times.
6. Turn the engine on and do the same again a few times.
7. Keep filling the reservoir making sure the pump doesn't run dry.
8. I think the system holds about 1 litre of fluid.
9. After the fluid has been changed, reconnect the return hose to the reservoir.
10. If you can still see bubbles in the reservoir, you may need to keep turning the steering wheel slowly left and right a few more times.
11. Put lid back on reservoir.
This is how I fixed my VS V6 Statesman. Other models may be slightly different.
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