Welcome to Just Commodores, a site specifically designed for all people who share the same passion as yourself.

New Posts Contact us

Just Commodores Forum Community

It takes just a moment to join our fantastic community

Register

VP Steering Rack reseal.

HeritageVP

New Member
Joined
Jun 25, 2024
Messages
9
Reaction score
3
Points
3
Age
24
Location
Broken Hill
Members Ride
VP Calais '93
I inherited an VP Calais '93 model, RH of the rack is leaking. I've found you can get non-genuine reseal kits but I want to know what I'm getting into so my question is does anyone have an genuine Holden manual or something that cover resealing the rack?

I don't need to reseal the input so I shouldn't need to play with the pre load on the rack or the special tool for it.

I have a Gregory's but it doesn't cover resealing the rack. Doing an exchange rack isn't an option as I want to keep it all number matching and original.
 

Reg Sharpie

no more VK
Joined
Nov 7, 2009
Messages
1,759
Reaction score
1,147
Points
113
Age
51
Location
Shitsville Morwell
Members Ride
hilux
Doing an exchange rack isn't an option as I want to keep it all number matching and original
Why does it matter? Isn't a car that steers nicely more important?
 

HeritageVP

New Member
Joined
Jun 25, 2024
Messages
9
Reaction score
3
Points
3
Age
24
Location
Broken Hill
Members Ride
VP Calais '93
Why does it matter? Isn't a car that steers nicely more important?
Steers fine just drips a little. No't my call anyway, was my Grandfather's but now I share it with my father. I'm just the mechanic of family I'll be doing the work. I want to be prepared.
 

Sandst4rm

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jul 10, 2018
Messages
308
Reaction score
265
Points
63
Location
South Australia
Members Ride
VT S1 Calais Ecotec - VP Ute 3800
Doing an exchange rack isn't an option as I want to keep it all number matching and original.

I wasn't aware they printed specific rack numbers on each and every steering rack they built like an engine block??

Also why not have someone rebuild it for you? also an option.

You will need to do more than seals if you want it to last.

If doing a proper reseal you will HAVE to take the input pinion out or else you cannot get the rack out the case which you should really do because that power cylinder seal is likely in the same condition.

The input control valve seals are probably not so bad but up to you.

Full rebuild will need;
-Pinion bearings
-Pinion seals
-Control valve seals
-New snap rings (or reuse if you dont care)
-New retainer wire (or reuse which is virtually impossible cause it bends) for the rack support bush
-New nylon/ptfe rack support bush
-New rack yoke bush (adjustable)
-Rack end seals that you were talking about
-Center rack piston seal

This is without new rack ends/inner tie rods and outer tie rods that you should get also

but for real why cant you get a new one? I'm almost positive the racks have the same numbers printed on every single one.
And how do you know its even the original rack in there now?? GM doesn't make the rack and for sure it would've had at least ONE rack issue sometime in the past 30+ years in which case the rack probably got replaced already.
 

HeritageVP

New Member
Joined
Jun 25, 2024
Messages
9
Reaction score
3
Points
3
Age
24
Location
Broken Hill
Members Ride
VP Calais '93
I wasn't aware they printed specific rack numbers on each and every steering rack they built like an engine block??

Also why not have someone rebuild it for you? also an option.

You will need to do more than seals if you want it to last.

If doing a proper reseal you will HAVE to take the input pinion out or else you cannot get the rack out the case which you should really do because that power cylinder seal is likely in the same condition.

The input control valve seals are probably not so bad but up to you.

Full rebuild will need;
-Pinion bearings
-Pinion seals
-Control valve seals
-New snap rings (or reuse if you dont care)
-New retainer wire (or reuse which is virtually impossible cause it bends) for the rack support bush
-New nylon/ptfe rack support bush
-New rack yoke bush (adjustable)
-Rack end seals that you were talking about
-Center rack piston seal

This is without new rack ends/inner tie rods and outer tie rods that you should get also

but for real why cant you get a new one? I'm almost positive the racks have the same numbers printed on every single one.
And how do you know its even the original rack in there now?? GM doesn't make the rack and for sure it would've had at least ONE rack issue sometime in the past 30+ years in which case the rack probably got replaced already.
Typically there's a production number, that's used during manufacturing atleast these days.

No one for 600kms does it.

It's a low mileage car, under 70,000km

I was unaware as they no longer teach rack rebuilding at Trade School, thus why I knew I need to track down scripture.

They would have the same part number probably.

Because my grandfather was the original owner, my father's close friend was the only mechanic to ever work on. It's never had a rack.
 

Sandst4rm

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jul 10, 2018
Messages
308
Reaction score
265
Points
63
Location
South Australia
Members Ride
VT S1 Calais Ecotec - VP Ute 3800
Typically there's a production number, that's used during manufacturing atleast these days.

No one for 600kms does it.

It's a low mileage car, under 70,000km

I was unaware as they no longer teach rack rebuilding at Trade School, thus why I knew I need to track down scripture.

They would have the same part number probably.

Because my grandfather was the original owner, my father's close friend was the only mechanic to ever work on. It's never had a rack.
Fair enough bro I thought your grandad was like 2nd or 3rd owner.

Either way even if you do just the end seals the rack still gotta come out of the case because of where the seals are.

One side seal is on the passenger end behind the nylon bush (still gotta take that out) and CAN be done without touching the pinion... HOWEVER

The issue lies with the OTHER end side seal.
As it is after the whole power piston assembly but BEFORE the pinion gear as they use grease and the actual rack teeth are not immersed in ATF/steering oil.

Meaning you gotta take out the pinion 1, then the rack 2, then put the new seal in 3. then can be reassembled 4 and you gotta wind the wire retainer into the case with a special 4 prong tool to get enough leverage. Pretty sure using pliers will crack the nylon bush case that little wire is FKN strong as hell man.

Not worth doing imo without at least the power piston seal and pinion seals too , the bearings.. eh could prob leave em but really up to you

EDIT: Don't try to get the rack out without removing the huge locknut because you CAN actually get it out without touching that; however its spring loaded inside so all youre accomplishing is stopping yourself every refitting the rack, unless you DO take off the huge locknut ANYWAY lol
 
Last edited:

HeritageVP

New Member
Joined
Jun 25, 2024
Messages
9
Reaction score
3
Points
3
Age
24
Location
Broken Hill
Members Ride
VP Calais '93
Fair enough bro I thought your grandad was like 2nd or 3rd owner.

Either way even if you do just the end seals the rack still gotta come out of the case because of where the seals are.

One side seal is on the passenger end behind the nylon bush (still gotta take that out) and CAN be done without touching the pinion... HOWEVER

The issue lies with the OTHER end side seal.
As it is after the whole power piston assembly but BEFORE the pinion gear as they use grease and the actual rack teeth are not immersed in ATF/steering oil.

Meaning you gotta take out the pinion 1, then the rack 2, then put the new seal in 3. then can be reassembled 4 and you gotta wind the wire retainer into the case with a special 4 prong tool to get enough leverage. Pretty sure using pliers will crack the nylon bush case that little wire is FKN strong as hell man.

Not worth doing imo without at least the power piston seal and pinion seals too , the bearings.. eh could prob leave em but really up to you
Hmm a lot to chew on there.

I'm unsure but the kits I've seen are not ebay ones and seem to be pretty comprehensive but I'm not 100% certain if it has the retaining wire and valvse as I don't know what they look like. Made by Drivetech sold by extramileautoparts for VG,VP,VR,VS.

So I might try drumming up a VS manual. Only concern is the Calais has an variable output pump for the rack I'm told, I don't know if that meant the rack is different. If doing a proper reseal means full disassembly then I need the manual even more for the preload spec on the pinion I believe.
 

Sandst4rm

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jul 10, 2018
Messages
308
Reaction score
265
Points
63
Location
South Australia
Members Ride
VT S1 Calais Ecotec - VP Ute 3800
Hmm a lot to chew on there.

I'm unsure but the kits I've seen are not ebay ones and seem to be pretty comprehensive but I'm not 100% certain if it has the retaining wire and valvse as I don't know what they look like. Made by Drivetech sold by extramileautoparts for VG,VP,VR,VS.

So I might try drumming up a VS manual. Only concern is the Calais has an variable output pump for the rack I'm told, I don't know if that meant the rack is different. If doing a proper reseal means full disassembly then I need the manual even more for the preload spec on the pinion I believe.

The information is a little funny, theres actually zero difference inside the pump OR pressure hose as I discovered with my VT calais with variatronic.
I have rebuilt "both versions" of the pump and its exactly the same non-variable vane pump inside for both.

If there is a difference the only place it could be would be the spring rate of the pump pressure relief spring or the actual internal pressure springs but they are the same thickness and same number of coils which 90% of the time means the same rate/stiffness

Where the difference is actually is on the rack itself, Slightly different case with a 2 wire solenoid on it controlled by the ECU/BCM/ABS something like that. If you see a normal one it has no solenoid at all.

Yes VS should be identical

The retaining wire is nothing special like high tensile or anything so as long as you get a nice straight smooth piece of wire the same diameter it'll work fine.
Problem comes with reusing the old wire as it is never nice and straight no matter how much pressing you do.
If you use the special winding tool it does come out pretty straight but usually you gotta bend it cause it sticks.
 

MikeC

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jan 10, 2010
Messages
1,250
Reaction score
583
Points
113
Members Ride
VQ Statesman
And if your Calais has a variotronic rack , make sure any replacement components will fit that rack.
 

Immortality

Can't live without smoky bacon!
Staff member
Joined
Apr 15, 2006
Messages
23,874
Reaction score
24,172
Points
113
Location
Sth Auck, NZ
Members Ride
HSV VS Senator, VT s2 Exec, VX Calais II L67
Hmm a lot to chew on there.

I'm unsure but the kits I've seen are not ebay ones and seem to be pretty comprehensive but I'm not 100% certain if it has the retaining wire and valvse as I don't know what they look like. Made by Drivetech sold by extramileautoparts for VG,VP,VR,VS.

So I might try drumming up a VS manual. Only concern is the Calais has an variable output pump for the rack I'm told, I don't know if that meant the rack is different. If doing a proper reseal means full disassembly then I need the manual even more for the preload spec on the pinion I believe.


This guide is for a VT rack but VS and earlier will be basically be the same so this guide should give a good idea how it's done.

The difference between standard power steering and the speed sensitive power steering is the pump is full flow and the pressure is controlled at the rack via a solenoid.
 

Attachments

  • sect9a Steering.pdf
    1.5 MB · Views: 72
Top