variable power steering??

[CAM05L]

HELP UPDATED!!!!!!!hey guys got some pacemakers for my car but need to know how to tell if i have variable ratio power steer rack as they are slightly different. i think all calais have this but not sure if it has been changed to normal or not cause i havnt owned the car since new. cheers see last post

[STEALTHY™]

As far as i was aware, only VP Calais' and VQ statesmans had variable steer.

Just hope you don't have it, i've blown 3 racks because of that crap.

[V8 Berlina]

I dont think VN's had this but if it does there should be 4 Plugs that sit between the battery and the fuse box instead of 3.

[V8 Berlina]

As far as i was aware, only VP Calais' and VQ statesmans had variable steer.

Just hope you don't have it, i've blown 3 racks because of that crap.

Only V8 Statesman and they were standard

[MaNiac_VP]

jeez this site is full of so much mis information these days.

Variable power steering was only ever on VP Calais and VQ2 Statesman and Caprices. V6s AND V8s. And was discontinued on VY.
Never on the VN, and not only on V8s (thow they're all different racks) and u can tell if ur car has one as it has a solenoid sticking out of the rack.

[V8 Berlina]

Statesmans only had them on V8's Standard

[white vn ss]

only on series 2 statesmans as maniac vp stated. i own a vq series 1 v8 and it does not have a variable steering rack

[greenfoam]

I'm sure they are on VP Calais too, must have been a common option if it wasn't standard?

[CAM05L]

thanks guys ill check it out

[STEALTHY™]

jeez this site is full of so much mis information these days.

Variable power steering was only ever on VP Calais and VQ2 Statesman and Caprices. V6s AND V8s. And was discontinued on VY.
Never on the VN, and not only on V8s (thow they're all different racks) and u can tell if ur car has one as it has a solenoid sticking out of the rack.

This is what i was getting at.

All i know is my VP has it, and its crap.

[MaNiac_VP]

the key to keeping it from frying is to make sure you keep the power steering fluid clean and flush it every other year as when it gets dirty, it overheats causing the soleniod to sieze in place from heat or from catching pieces of gaskets which makes the rack break up internally and then its all over.

[CAM05L]

ok back again, problem. the rack itself has variable ration writen on it (stamped) though i cannot see any solenoid or anythin like it on or around the rack????? help please!!!! i need to find out so i know which extractors i need

[STEALTHY™]

It is possible to run a variable steer rack without the variable steer working


I cant really answer the question, but i don't see why anyone would actually put that rack in their car if it shouldn't have it.

[CAM05L]

thats wat im thinkin. this sux

[calais_cruzin]

My variable racks just went on friday 290 for reco

[Not_An_Abba_Fan]

The variable ratio on the VN just meant that it was different in the centre than the ends. 17.2:1 on centre to 11.8:1 on lock. Variable ratio on the Stato was a solenoid that controlled the fluid volume going through the rack. The faster you went the less volume and the heavier the steering was.

[CAM05L]

The variable ratio on the VN just meant that it was different in the centre than the ends. 17.2:1 on centre to 11.8:1 on lock. Variable ratio on the Stato was a solenoid that controlled the fluid volume going through the rack. The faster you went the less volume and the heavier the steering was.

so wat you think?? do i need the calais/stato extractors or just the normal commodore one's

[Not_An_Abba_Fan]

Just go the normal ones, as said above the VN never had the speed sensitive variable ratio.

[CAM05L]

thanks man ill give it a go

[nathans1987]

there is wires that plug into it isnt there?

[CAM05L]

ok i have fitted the pacies and all is good, so for those who are interested the normal pacemakers to suit vn 5l auto will be fine aslong as you dont have the solenoid rack thingy. thanks for your help

[Fu Manchu]

I had a lend of the factory manuals (all) for the VP and it was fitted as manic vp said to V6 and V8 of the up spec models.
I never knew these racks existed and found it very interesting seeing how they were put together and the wiring involved. So I did pay a lot of attention to where one might find such a rack on a wrecked VP Calais or VQ Stato series II.