Vectra 2.2 Sri Y Reg Power Steering Issue

[steve8701]

Hi peeps i am new to this whole forum thing, so please bear with me.

i have just purchased an Vectra Sri 2.2 Y reg estate and just going over it and finding a couple of issues.

I noticed that the power steering was making a right old squeal every time i turned the wheel, so i checked the fluid and it was low, i thought that the bloke who i bought it off just didn't check it etc. i filled her up and already after only 30 miles its happening again and saw a big puddle of fluid on my drive, i smelt it and it smells metallic and its too thick for water and too thin for oil so i think its that. It appears to be leaking right at the back of the engine just behind the footwell is and i think thats where the power steering componants live? if so can anyone advise whether this is a common fault on these and what i can do to try and fix the problem. I do have access to a jack and axel stands so I can probably view and fix myself. i think i heard thats it something to do with bolts and washers which are a common fault on these if this is the case can someone advise and maybe send a picture so i can compare to my car? i would really appreciate help and will buy a beer to whoever helps find the right problem on the next big vauxhall meet up.

One last thing is a rattle when going over light holes in the road from the back, maybe a bush or something, but again any help is much appreciated.

thanks Steve

[Paul]

leaking power steering fluid
Give Vauxhall a call to order parts.

Rattle could be anything from the exhaust to rear trailing arm bushes.

Need to get under the car and take a look. Also make sure nothing is loose in the boot, like the jack.

[steve8701]

hi thanks for the link, i rang up Vauxhall mentioned the bolts and washers on the rack and the guy there said that this is the only model in which it has a different design or something and it could be the rack which is shed loads to buy and fit etc. my mechanic is going to have a look we are going to fill up the fluid again and see where the leak is coming from, hope its not a rack but you never know.

i will try that about the rattling, thanks very much for your help

[simonsri]

recon rack is available for 80 quid from acs power steering i think they are. 01827259699 they will be sorting me one soon.

[boyracerv1]

Before you buy a new rack check the banjo bolts at the centre of the rack, back of the engine bay.they are common to come loose on the vec b

[steve8701]

Excellent thanks guys this forum thing is brilliant i will check the bolts this weekend

in the mean time i will check that website for the rack just incase thanks simonsri

[DannT]

Hi, had the same problem on my v6 GSI I found the banjo bolts could be undone with my fingers, my local Vauxhall parts man recommended using copper sump nut washers as they last better than the aluminium ones there a bit of a fiddle to put on but seems to work ok so far. Time will tell.

[steve8701]

WOOOOHOOOOOO, just had my car up and had a real good look underneath it, i found that that power steering fluid was leaking from around the rack, and so i ordered some nuts and washers from vauxhall which i will pick up saturday. then i had a idea of checking a bolt which was reachable from the top of the engine with a normal size spanner and found that a nut on top around the steering rack was really loose! Bingo found the issue of the leak! so i put it back up on the ramp and sprayed the area clean started her up and moved the wheel lock to lock a few times and where the leak was there was nothing coming out so fingers crossed that loose nut has solved the issue, i am still gonna go to vauxhall and get the washers etc just incase she decides to leak again but hopefully I have found and sorted the problem.

Thanks to everyone who has helped me with this issue, now its time to address the knocking noises from the rear lol

[simonsri]

nice one mate glad you sorted it.

knocking from rear is most likely the dog kennal arb bushes or the rose bushes both common on vec b's