Power steering for vk?

[thedoctor]

Hi folks,

I was just wondering how go about to fitting power steering on my poverty pack VK SL. What's the best way to source the parts for this and what other info should I know to do this.

[Tom_1569]

You will need the following:
Powersteering rack
Imediate shaft off a Powersteering colum.
Powersteering pump
Both Powersteering fluid lines
Powersteering Reservoir with bracket and line.
Powersteering pump bracket (If your running a carby engine with the air-pump these brackets are ALOT harder to come by, so keep a close eye out for one and expect to pay about 50 bux for it, otherwise dont run the pump, or make your own bracket.

Confirm you have a 3 row pulley system or you will need to upgrade that aswell.
When fitting the new rack it is advised to put new tie-rod ends on, up to you though.

All up I wouldnt be paying over 200 bux with new tie-rod ends and fluid.

Its a pretty basic conversion:
Remove tie-rod ends, unbolt the imediate shaft, and undo the bolts holding the rack to the K-frame, pull the rack out.
Remove your steeering column (3 bolts and one wiring harness clip), swap the immediate shafts over (the shaft at the end), you can do this without removing the column but its a hell of alot easier just to remove it.
Reinstall your column.
Fit your new rack into the k-frame, lining up the immediate shaft at the same time.
Install tie-rod ends into steering arm, grease if applicable (not all are greaseable)
Unbolt your air pump, and pull it up out of the way, but leave everything connected for ease, do the same with the alternator. Get your new bracket and install the pwoersteering pump prior to fitting the bracket, install the new bracket, and put alternator and air-pump back on to rhe new bracket. Put fan belts back on and tension.
To mount the reservoir you will have to drill two small holes near the strut tower from memory, and screw it into place.
Get your two fluid lines, and attach them to there appropriate spots (pretty self explanatory when looking at it), you will also have to mount some fluid line clips at the bottom of the front apron to hold the line, its as simple as drill and screw (or bolt)
Fill the reservoir up to full, start the engine, check for leaks etc, then on gravel or sand prefferably turn from Full lock to full lock, to bleed the system.
Top up fluid, and then take it in for a wheel allignment.

Hope that covered it, Im quite suprised I remember so much since it was over 2 years ago since I done my conversion.

[philbio]

I am thinking of removing the Power Steering from my VK 6cyl, will a manual rack plus bits from a VH 6 cyl fit in a VK?

[Tom_1569]

I am thinking of removing the Power Steering from my VK 6cyl, will a manual rack plus bits from a VH 6 cyl fit in a VK?

Im not 100% sure either way, I know the racks changed, but not sure if it was VC -VH, or VH-VK.
Where are you located, I have the bits to manual steering here, well its only the rack and immediate shaft caus thats all you need lol.

[DANNY8]

I've got a VB rack in my VK and it seems fine. I remember reading the VB-VC ones were different, but not sure. The rack I got out of the VB could have been a VH/K one tho.

But yeah all u need to convert to manual steering is the manual rack and the shaft on the end of the steering column.

[philbio]

Spoke to a steering shop here and the dude reckons the K-Frame is different on the VH so the rack won't fit?

Update: I spoke to a Power Steering Firm and apparently there were 2 types of manual rack in a VH, a newer one with a casting code of 92014737 which is compatible with a VH-VK, the other older version which isn't is 9945911 VB-VH.

So anyone in Adelaide that has a shagged rack I can use for a changeover on a recon rack let me know?