No Power Steering :(

[Benneh69]

Hey guys,

Having a few issues with the power steering system in my VS Calais.

The power steering in my car has completely died, I have no steering assist at standstills or at any rev range. I think it is either the pump or rack, but I don't know for sure and would like to find out so I can replace it ASAP.

There are no strange noises coming from the pump when you turn the wheel in either direction, however lately before it died I have noticed it make a quiet sqeaking noise when steering but I think this is just a dodgy rubber bit on the top of the right hand strut rubbing against the metal :S

The belt is fine and didn't come off the pulley. The power steering fluid is at the correct level and has never gone below the minimum even though it has a slight power steering leak from the top of the pump.

I have noticed that the steering has started to become heavier over the past month before it completely died on Saturday doing a sharp turn, which lead me to believe it may be the pump however I'm not 100% sure what I should replace first.

If anyone has any ideas to what might fix my problem, please let me know! Driving a car on 18's with a dead power steering system is no fun!

Cheers !

[Jaymz]

Some of the other guys who have had more experience on here might be able to help, but at a wild guess i would say it is the pump.

Get a new/second hand one and shove it in.

[Jonno]

itll most likely be the pump... how many ks has the car done?

[hako]

The Calais has the Varionic (sp) steering which has a solenoid or something or other mounted on the rack to vary the amount of assistance given - apparently they are troublesome and the fix is sometimes to repair this unit or more commonly to replace it with a rack from the common Executive - more reliable, cheaper and common. But it could also be the pump as you say it gradually failed. There are power steering places around - should be plenty in Sydney....they should be able to accurately diagnose the problem.

[goose202]

Agreed with hako - could also be the solenoid on the rack for the variable steering that the Calais has. The wires for this solenoid run pretty close to the RH exhaust manifold, check those out.

Are you sure there's no assistance at all? Is this steering any harder at a standstill with the engine off? Even if the solenoid has failed, there still should be a little assistance.

[Benneh69]

Thanks for the solid replies guys looks like I'll be replacing the pump this weekend will post results on how it goes!

Some of the other guys who have had more experience on here might be able to help, but at a wild guess i would say it is the pump.

Get a new/second hand one and shove it in.

Thanks mate will try this first!

itll most likely be the pump... how many ks has the car done?

Car has done around 235XXX now so wouldn't be a surprise that the pump has given up

The Calais has the Varionic (sp) steering which has a solenoid or something or other mounted on the rack to vary the amount of assistance given - apparently they are troublesome and the fix is sometimes to repair this unit or more commonly to replace it with a rack from the common Executive - more reliable, cheaper and common. But it could also be the pump as you say it gradually failed. There are power steering places around - should be plenty in Sydney....they should be able to accurately diagnose the problem.

Cheers Hako, I'll try replacing the pump with a brand new one and if that doesn't help then I know what the problem will be :P probably about time the pump is replaced anyways...

Agreed with hako - could also be the solenoid on the rack for the variable steering that the Calais has. The wires for this solenoid run pretty close to the RH exhaust manifold, check those out.

Are you sure there's no assistance at all? Is this steering any harder at a standstill with the engine off? Even if the solenoid has failed, there still should be a little assistance.

Will check the solenoid, thanks for the advice
And yeah, no assistance at all through the whole rev range and at whatever speed, only steers half decently when the car is rolling but I guess that's because the car is rolling... haha :P

[Benneh69]

Hey guys, problem is now fixed!

Was just the pump, simple case of finding a Calais pump, unbolting the crap one then fitting the new one and the steering is like new

Thanks for everyone's help!

[VS_Pete_1]

That`s good news.
Thanks for letting us know.