VR Statesman V6 sensitivity switch power steering into VR Berlina

[pjdm1980]

Can you put the VR Statesman V6 sensitivity switch power steering rack into VR Berlina?
or is it just way to big of a job because i have to replace my pack anyway.

[seraphic06]

I am interested to know this as well - I am having my steering rack replaced tomorrow.

[_R_J_K_]

I always though Berlina's had it anyway.

[pjdm1980]

Nope just statesman's and caprice's and then later on vs calais's

[shanhsv]

and how does it work exactly

[pjdm1980]

That's what I'd like to know. all i can tell is that it has a electronically controlled pressure switch that makes it easier to turn the steering wheel at low speeds, but I'm not sure if it's controlled by the computer and if i need a statesman computer or can i just use the standard.

[Cheap6]

The variable assistance is achieved by varying the flow of fluid bled from the rack back to the pump. The "switch" on the rack tower is a solenoid valve that controls that flow of fluid.

The level of assistance is determined by the BCM in response to road speed and altered using a pulse width modulated (PWM) signal to the solenoid.

The BCM's are specific to models with the system.

The power steering pump outlet is also different but is easily swapped.

The only difference between the two types of rack are the rack towers.

Swapping in a higher level BCM, to operate all the functions the current one does as well as the steering, could probably be done.

Another way might be to piggie back in a variable assistance BCM only to operate the assistance solenoid.

Given some electronics ability I guess it wouldn't be too difficult to take the speed sensor signal and generate a PWM signal out using a custom circuit.

There was a discussion on here some time ago re. altering the signal with resistors to increase the steering weight. That included some info. on how it worked. Probably worth a search.

Link: Calais variotronic steering modifications