VR Stato power steering

[XLR87N]

hey guys,
so this stato i have had a blown power steering pump, it has been driven with the blown pump for about a month on and off and drove basically like a car without powersteering,

we have now put a new pump in it, filled up the fluid and it still steers just as heavy. any ideas where to look next, does it take time to get loose again?

[vlv8vic]

don't know much about power steering but a few thoughts based on general knowledge.

Possible air lock somewhere stopping the fluid from moving.

Lack of fluid in the rack might have wrecked it.

I doubt it'd be a case of waiting for it to get loose again - probably something else is stuff. Best not to drive it while it's stuffed....

[coolngroovy]

You have probably trashed the rack.

You could try bleeding it.
Jack the front wheels off the ground, start the car, turn wheel SLOWLY from lock to lock. Recheck fluid.

Cheers, Col.

[XLR87N]

You have probably trashed the rack.

You could try bleeding it.
Jack the front wheels off the ground, start the car, turn wheel SLOWLY from lock to lock. Recheck fluid.

Cheers, Col.

im fearing this may be the issue

what am i looking at for a rack + fitting

[vlv8vic]

i did the VL about 7 years ago and the rack was $700 changeover and i installed it myself.

[OzCarParts]

I know a place that does them for $250 exchange full reco...

[Morton]

You can buy reconditioned racks for $250 on ebay.

Of course... you could always pick yourself up a VL manual rack for $40

[XLR87N]

I know a place that does them for $250 exchange full reco...

What would your mates across the road charge for fitting

[Cheap6]

Because it's a Statesman it should have a variable assistance rack. That may be harder to find or more expensive.

It's also possible that the fault lies with the variable assistance system which includes the BCM. It could be the solenoid valve on the 'rack tower which has stuck open. I have seen them where they have swallowed some debris.

The pumps - actually the outlet valve - are different between variable and fixed assistance systems. The result of using a non-variable pump on a variable system will be heavier steering. If you still have the old pump, the outlet valve can be swapped across if that is the problem. To help ID it, the non-variable outlet has a spool valve and spring inside it, the variable valve is just an orifice.