Steering, stiff and loud?

[dale1389]

Hey guys. First let me say i don't know a lot about the technical side of cars.

I drive a VR exec.

• Car is impossible to dry steer with or steer when the car is travelling less than around 5km an hour
• The steering is so heavy and it makes a loud noise, feels like im having to use my whole body weight to turn the wheel.
• When car is travelling at a decent speed, steering is perfectly fine.

Today i saw a bloke down street wearing a kmart auto shirt, so i asked him about it, and he said it could be the power steering pump, then said im looking at around $300-400 for a new one. He said this without seeing or trying my steering.

Power steering fluid is full so i guess it can't be that.

Now, the big question: i have another VR commodore (station wagon) which is just sitting there, would it be possible to replace the power steering pump from my other vehicle?

Thanks guys.

[Andrew426]

It does sound like your power steering pump is shot. You should be able to swap your pump over from your other car, I just dont think it will be a fun job.

Although keep in mind, noone here hasd driven your car or inspected your power steering pump either - so our opinions are really no better than that of the kmart auto guy.

[dale1389]

It does sound like your power steering pump is shot. You should be able to swap your pump over from your other car, I just dont think it will be a fun job.

How much do you think a mechanic would do it for and how long do you think it'd take him?

[JJ's VR]

Having done a few over the years in my own backyard so to speak, an equiped workshop surely can do it in an hour!! So an hours labour plus parts i think would be a safe bet.

[greenacc]

what colour is the fluid - is it bright red or blackish ? should be red

[TUF UTE]

could also be your steering rack.. but if the wheel vibrates and u hear humming my moneys on power steering pump

[VSIIISU]

Yup, if you hear moaning noise when steering (from what I have read your case would have been worse compared to mine) its either power steering pump leak and/or power steering rack.

I will need to get my car fixed on that issue.

[dale1389]

Hey guys, just checked my receipt for the car.

24/09/08 - PSR812 - Power Steering Rack $360
+ $100 labour


This was put in 1-2 weeks before i bought the car?

[rcnugget]

Brand new pump from supercheap is $183, would take about 30 mins to change yourself, if the rack is done as you say then change the pump, you could try a 2nd hand one from wreckers as an exchange unit, or rebuild your pump for around $30 with a kit from holden

[Zuicider]

got a recond pump of ebay with a years warrenty for 100 bucks and a rack with a years warrenty for 250, much better price than autopro without warrenty, their price was 200 odd for the pump recond and 440 for the rack. its ya pump if u keep driving it u will do ya rack too

when my vn was running the pump was shot for a few weeks, finally put a recond one on and a week later the rack blew the seal cap out the side and took out my new pump

[Zuicider]

suzuki power steering on ebay is pretty good, i checked all parts and they recond the rack and the pump very well