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Very sluggish power steering

PlenumBiscuit

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steering it is like an old valiant at the moment (barely has power steering)

tyres are good, no fluid leaks, no noises

ive heard theres a way to reset or get air out of the lines ? go full lock side to side for 5 minutes or something??

anyway to know if the rack is stuffed
 

krusing

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My VY had a similar issue, felt like "Truck Steering"
Some time ago, I didn't want to tackle it,
so I sent to a local mechanic, and he installed a C/O Pedder's Power Steering Rack,
I did ask him to replace the Power Steering Pump, but he said it didn't need replacing,
a little while later, the steering got heavy again and started vibrating/growning again.

I then purchased a Power Steering Pump from eBay, to suit the VY L67 Calais variant,
And that fixed the heavy, vibrating/growning steering.

That said, in your situation, the cheaper option first up, would be replace the Power Steering Pump first.
 
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PlenumBiscuit

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When u take the pump out there's something I remember is severely important such gotta fill the pump first or bleed the lines or bleed the rack or something

Can't just swap a new pump in, gotta do something do something to hold the pressure is it?
 

Immortality

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You can put the pump in and then tip a little fluid into it before plumbing up the reservoir hose. You can spin the pump by hand to prime the system. I flushed the power steering in my Subaru recently by turning the pump by hand and putting the return line into a old container.

Once the system is fully plumbed up, fill the reservoir and start the engine and shut it off before reservoir runs empty, do this still the reservoir remains full, then slowly turn the steering lock to lock a few times topping up the reservoir as required. I prefer doing this with the car jacked up do there is no weight on the front tires.

If you get air into the system and aerate the fluid you'll need to stop and let it settle for a bit.
 

greenacc

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Tell me the fluid has never been changed? First thing I'd be trying is some nice new fluid. Now I know this is not a VE, but I put this fluid in my VE and it made the steering feel like a Rolls Royce.. so check it out.
 

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PlenumBiscuit

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Thanks guys I changed the steering wheel cover and now all seems good again....nah only kidding

Will get a new pump I suppose and some new fluid thanks

Not nulon though that's recycled and cheap
 

BlackVXGTS

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From the Holden VT/VZ Service Manual:

BLEEDING/REFILLING PROCEDURE
1. Raise the front of the vehicle and place on safety stands.
2. With the engine not running, add the power steering fluid to reservoir to the maximum mark (or greater, if it is
known that the steering gear is empty).
3. Start the engine and allow to run for only 2-3 seconds. Do not turn the steering wheel at this point.
4. Continue with Steps 2 and 3 until the power steering fluid level remains constant.
5. Start and run the engine at idle speed, turning the steering wheel from lock to lock, without holding at the full
lock positions (this will build up high pressures, atomising any entrapped air). Repeat this procedure from six to
eight times. Stop the engine, check the power steering fluid level and top up to the maximum level, as required.
6. Start and run the engine at idle speed. Again turn the steering wheel from lock to lock but now slowly build up
the pressure levels by holding against the full lock position from 1-2 seconds. Repeat this procedure from four
to six times. Stop the engine and top up the power steering fluid level to the maximum mark, as required.
NOTE: While the majority of entrapped air will be removed by the above process, a small amount may remain,
which can only be removed by alternate circulation and settling of the power steering fluid for a prolonged period.
This is usually achieved automatically after two to three days, with daily driving and settling overnight.
7. Turn the steering wheel to the straight ahead position, lower vehicle to the ground and turn ignition 'OFF'.
 

PlenumBiscuit

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Legend thanks so much for sharing that very kind good karma for you kind sir

How max fluid am i gonna need? bugger all i suspect... 1 to 2 litres?
 

BlackVXGTS

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Manual says 650ml, but I guess it depends on whether you have a power steering cooler installed. One litre of Dex3 should be plenty.
 

PlenumBiscuit

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tried to change the pump over and the frikken hose is seized in the back of the old pump grrr

tried a heat torch on it 4 times and wouldnt budge. got a proper 16mm pipe spanner still no good

so now i need a new hose for the new pump omg

and guess what mine is a series 2 that uses a extra long weird high pressure hose, that the vt vx vy s1, dont use omg

series 2 hose

and the easy to get

series 1 hose

what is this

VARITRONIC thing​

 
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