VAPS Questions

[tommyturbo]

My 95 has the VAPS set up on it, and i've been doing alot of reading about it on here. It seems like it has alot of play in the steering and is impresise, more so at highway speed. The outer tie rod ends are new, and in good shape. It also will seem to change the power assist level at odd times, like in the middle of a turn. My biggest complaint it will feel really loose and lots of play, going straight on the fwy, but once you start to turn the wheel it takes alot of effort, and feels tighter, but once you are back in a straight line it has 3 inches of play with alot of assist on center. I'm starting to think it is the rack. When I first got the car it was really bad and flushing the system helped alot with how it would abruptly change power assist, and I think that my mechanic put a new pressure sensor? on the rack? I don't remember cause it has been so long now. All the posts I have read lead me to think the rack is worn, or inner tie rod ends.

Anyhow should a properly working VAPS setup feel so loose on center? or be more like my 89, but with varying assist based on speed. I can't find the answer to that. I am trying to get it to function like it suppose to, not eliminate the system like alot of people seem to do.

Also saw a kit with the tpr bushings for all 4 tension strut rods on rcm, I would imagine this keeps the wheels in a tighter alignment versus the stock rubber, less give and play, will it make much difference? My goal is to get the sho where it's firm and tight but not uncomfortable for long trips. Will also swap out the 155 lb basic taurus springs to 200 lb sho springs and 24 & 26 mm sway bars.

 

[rubydist]

3" of play????? there is clearly something loose - check the u-joints on each end of the telescoping section under the dash - make sure they are secure on each end (they must be clamped tight!) and make sure the plastic slider piece isn't missing from the telescoping section of the steering shaft. if that isn't it, check to make sure the rack isn't loose on the subframe. if none of that, then you are looking at the rack itself or the tie rod ends.

 

[tommyturbo]

only time it feels loose is straight ahead, once into a turn at speed there is no play, feels really good, but once back to straight it is loose.

 

[LOUDSHO92]

I would check the joints for tightness, if not its the rack.

If you need a rack we have a better rebuild: SHO Source

I would not bother with used SHO springs as they are worn out and sagging. Go with either Moog or Eibach.

 

[93_SHO_FL]

Sorry for reviving old post, but I too am experiencing the VAPS random assist issue mid-turn. Makes me look drunk. LOL
I changed inner & outer tie rods, sway bar bushings, front struts & springs, & P/S fluid.

No more play when you hit the throttle, but the VAPS seems to assist at random...makes turning quite difficult. Any suggestions?
Thanks!

 

[tommyturbo]

Mine still does it...and sometimes when it chooses to firm up is really in appropriate and has surprised me. Also seems to do it late, I read it should be to full firmness by around 45-50? mine will do it right about 75 -80, and it is really abrupt when it changes.

 

[93_SHO_FL]

Ha, mine does it at ALL SPEEDS!!! lol Annoying, especially when you drive another vehicle, expecting it to do the same, so you oversteer like a mo fo!

 

[tommyturbo]

both my 95's will make a very abrupt firmness change around 15-20 the speed at which I am make some turns and loops in the parking garage at work, which is anoying. My one 95 will go reallyt firm in the middle of turns on say a winding road at around 45-50, and again it is really abrupt and the first couple times it did it was really disconcerting. My other 95 will do it around 75-80. I was driving on the freeway in a section with some turns, and it did it while I was starting to make a turn, and only had one hand on the wheel because I had my other hand on the shifter changing gears, almost sideswiped the car next to me, cause it felt like the steering wheel almost locked up, the change in firmness was so strong.

 

[93_SHO_FL]

Not sure if mine does exactly that, but it kinda feels like it's trying to turn itself. LOL

 

[elchado]

I have a 1991 plus and have the same issue? My rack is new, tie rods new etc. Still walks around with about 3" of play in the wheel at speeds. Steering wheels bumps at odd times mid turn. Is it the VAPS? I looked over the column, everything seems to be fine?

 

[LOUDSHO92]

The 91 does not have VAPS.

 

[rubydist]

I have a 1991 plus and have the same issue? My rack is new, tie rods new etc. Still walks around with about 3" of play in the wheel at speeds. Steering wheels bumps at odd times mid turn. Is it the VAPS? I looked over the column, everything seems to be fine?

you may have a new rack, but its bad. the "bumps at odd times" are due to the pressure sensor in the rack being bad. this causes varying amounts of boost, seemingly at random.

 

[SHOtimer]

Mine still does it...and sometimes when it chooses to firm up is really in appropriate and has surprised me. Also seems to do it late, I read it should be to full firmness by around 45-50? mine will do it right about 75 -80, and it is really abrupt when it changes.

Have you tried this?

http://www.shotimes.com/php-bin/mod...e=article&mode=thread&order=0&thold=0&sid=186

Doug

 

[ShadetreeSHOguy]

**** vaps

 

[tommyturbo]

I like things to function as they were intended when new.

 

[SHOtimer]

Me too.

But, when your only option is poorly rebuilt racks...good luck.

I'm going with a low mileage G3 SHO ZF rack w/ no electrical connections in my SHO.

Doug

 

[LOUDSHO92]

Me too.

But, when your only option is poorly rebuilt racks...good luck.

I'm going with a low mileage G3 SHO ZF rack w/ no electrical connections in my SHO.

Doug

Thats why we have our rebuilt racks.

 

[SHORANGERBIRD]

-i used a new, not reman, Visteon non-vaps rack on the white '95.......

 

[SHOtimer]

-i used a new, not reman, Visteon non-vaps rack on the white '95.......

Where'd you get that?

Doug