VP V8 Calais power steer and starting issues

[stockyvrcalais]

Hi all, just got my hands on a VP Calais 5 litre, it has a couple of issues i need advice on, firstly the power steering is very noisy (groany) and very hard to steer, on idle its quiet, and if i rev the engine it helps the steering get lighter, could this be the pump? Also, it takes ages to fire up, could this be due to the battery being low on power? Thanks in advance guys.

[hi_ryder]

the vp calais has variotronic steering rack, you can check to see if your is original by the wire and solenoid coming off where the steering column connects to the rack. if you need a reco'd rack its not going to be cheap. could be your steering pump or your rack (likely the rack). some people cant be stuffed with the vario rack and just swap it with a standard one... as for your lazy start up, spark plugs, plug leads, ignition coil, stuff like this could be your problem. old battery? half dead? test it with a multi meter check the output, may as well check your alternator voltage and anything else you might think of... last time it was serviced?

[VQ-Assault]

If the rack isn't leaking it's usually okay, more usually the pump goes. On most vario racks they tend to get glitchy with the solenoid on the steering column, so when the steering should be light at low speeds it gets hard and at high speed instead of being firm it gets light. This is happens occasionally. Tighten the power steering belt and make sure there's minimal slack and make sure the wiring going from behind the fuse box to the rack hasn't burnt off from heat from the headers which sometimes happens

[stockyvrcalais]

thanks fellas, my gut feeling is its the pump but ill check out what you guys say......if i was to replace the pump, would i need another one from a calais? or is any v8 one ok?

[VQ-Assault]

Lots of people say that vario pumps and normal ones are the same, others say they're not, just get one from a calais, statesman. VR onwards have a different pump with the way the hoses are set up. Or you can just a brand new one from pedders for like $200 i think, Holden i think is $300

[hi_ryder]

would be good to get a definite answer on that question (standard pump or calais statesman specific) id think that the solenoid on the rack would be the only control of the soft and hard steering... but thats a guess cause i dont know anything about racks or pumps...