Holden VE VZ Pumps
The Standard VE and VZ pumps are poorly manufactured using a steel rotor which runs on a machined flat in the alloy of the body. Under any duress this causes the steel to bind with the alloy tearing the insides out. Once this happens there is usually little to no assistance in the steering particularly at idle.
This can be caused simply by holding to the steering on full lock or powering the engine such as during overtaking.
Once this occurs you will be required to flush the system. Instructions for this are available on this site. We then sell a replacement “Conversion Heavy Duty pump”. This pump is sold with an in line magnetic filter and is a direct replacement with no modifications to fit. The pump is made of cast iron and has a steel rotor which runs on 2 steel machined plates making it about 10 times stronger.
Modified heavy duty power steering pump produced by us to replace the poorly engineered standard alloy pump.
Type of oil to use.
When filling systems once the pump has been replaced we recommend and brand of fluid which is marked “Ford Type Power Steering Fluid.” We us Mobil424 but brand doesn’t matter, type of fluid does. Ensure the fluid does NOT contain any form of stop leak and we DO NOT recommend stop leak in any system. Stop leak swells seals for a shot term fix which causes a lot more long term and extensive damage.
Noises in the system.
Both the original pumps and the heavy duty replacement pumps we manufacture use a slip type bearing. Essentially the shaft slides in a bushing sleeve. Unless the pump is literally falling to pieces, it is virtually impossible for the mechanical parts of the pump to make noises. Most commonly the noises or buzzing noise coming from the pump is the relief valve in the pump bouncing on the seat. the reason it bounces is air leaks in the system. this can be from the reservoir, the feed hose or even from the body of the pump. Another tell tail of aeration is a silvery or cloudy condition when looking at the oil through the fill hole. This is caused by tiny bubbles in the fluid.
Noise Transmittance
Most other noises attributed to pumps are almost always either belt noises, idlers, adjusters or other accessories such as alternators, water pumps or air conditioning compressors. the noise then travels through the block and is difficult to pinpoint. Many power steering pumps have been replaced needlessly, ensure it is the pump.