After finding out how cheaply I could rebuild the KR Verada if I DIY it, I grabbed out my copy of Gregory's Autofix for Magna V6/Verada 91-96 vehicles and started having a read of it. The book goes into detail on topics like rebuilding the automatic transaxle and removing the cylinder heads, but fails to mention anything regarding the power steering pump. I'm looking at the genuine workshop manual as well and seeing some info, but mostly vague stuff, like "remove the pressure hose" without mentioning how or even which hose in the diagram it is.

First I need to determine if it is actually the pump. So here's the lowdown. In July last year the car developed a whine in the vicinity of the power steering pump. In early January this year, the power steering failed completely. The pump sounds like it has gravel in it. There is a large puddle of oil in the vicinity of the power steering canister, and the surrounding hoses, the distributor, plenum chamber and so on are all splashed with power steering fluid that appears to be spattered around, probably by the rotation of the pump shaft and pulley. Doesn't appear to be any fluid under the lines, rack or any other steering system components.

It sounds plausible and seems to be a relatively solid diagnosis as far I can see. Factoring in those symptoms, i'd like to know what others think.


Secondly, while I know the best way to learn anything is to get in there and give it a shot, which I plan to do when taking the power steering pump off at the wreckers, does anyone have any tips, guides or anything I should know in the removal and refitting of the pump? Being a high pressure hydraulic system it would be nice to get it mostly right the first time.

Fix the leaking hoses first, then bleed the system - as per the manual. Pumps go noisy when they suck in air, the pump may be ok.

Don't think it's the hoses between the canister and pump, they looked alright, but i'll have to recheck it. When I refilled and bled the system out the first time, the pump remained just as noisy, so i'm thinking it could still be at the very least damaged.

It was spraying from somewhere. lol More likely to be the high pressure hose, from pump to rack.
Pumps stay noisy if they are not bled right, they can be noisy for weeks if there is still air in the system.

It was whining for about 6 to 8 months prior to developing this problem. It could be a high pressure line between the pump and the rack, but i'm seeing oil patches around the pump and canister, both of which clear the high pressure lines. Doesn't mean it's not a spray, but i'd still be leaning towards a leak considering the nature of it.

Better question then. Since we know i'll need to remove the pump anyway at some stage, how does it come off the engine? I can see the standard arrangement of fluid lines, but I just need to know how many bolts there are, roughly where they are around the pump and if I need any special tools before attempting any maintenance.


By the way, with this pump sorted and the suspected monoxide leak sorted out, it'll be mechanically operational, then I just need to change the brakes, stem seals and do some general ignition system work and it should be running sweet. :D All for less than $200 in parts as well.

Time for an update.

Removed the power steering pump today. There's a decent amount of play in the shaft, moves in just about every direction. Sounds like it's rattling when it's in free spin, so i'm thinking it's stuffed.

Tried starting up the engine without the pump connected, and who would have guessed, it purrs like a kitten. I haven't heard the Verada's motor this quiet in a couple of years at least. I've priced up a good power steering pump at $30 from a guy just up the road which should have everything working again.

Next big issues are stem seals, a brake fluid leak (one of the calipers, i'm fairly sure), but the big one will be tracing the exhaust leak. I can't hear anything to suggest a significant leak, but I can smell petrol vapour in the cabin and the fumes are causing some negative health effects, so it'll need to be fixed before I can go any further.

Also found out a friend of Dad's kept the Verada seats that I bought a few years back in safe storage, so i've got a complete set of second gen seats just waiting to be installed. :D

Good to hear, does anyone know if the soapy water trick works to find exhaust leaks if you start it from cold?