HICAS removal bar fitting for R33

[Drift Freak]

hey skylinegeoff is that price of $110 for the HICAS lock bar still right if so how would I go about paying you coz i'm in need.

[GTRgeoff]

email me, of course.

[Duncan]

Right, blocked the rear outlet from the pump, and also the return to the reservoir.

Haven't yet swapped out the Hicas rack, but there is Power Steering fluid pissing all over from somewhere or other. I thought it was from the main return to the reservoir, so replaced it with a braided hose, but after taking it for a run out, there's an explosion of fluid all under the engine, hoses, suspension-everywhere.

Is there a possibility that the rear outlet being blocked is causing excess pressure in the system?

nope...we have had no problems at all with the setup, and it has had quite a workout last week All I can suggest is that you follow every line again

[mitchc]

Well, it's coming from somewhere:D Can't tell exactly where as it sprayed about a litre out yesterday, so I've taken the vanes out of the rear of the pump to see if that'll help.

I don't see how it could come out of the rear output hose that is disconnected, (where I thought it was)seeing as how the return to the reservoir is removed and blocked up too. Is there a feed from anywhere else into the rear system apart from those two?

Thanks

Mitch

[mitchc]

Might just try fitting an electric power steering system instead. Should save power and maybe stop the car from stalling at junctions every now and then.

[Duncan]

hmm I'd drop around and have a look but I don't think you are local?

Its not really that complicated once you have the right pipes. One pump outlet (front) should go to the steering box, then to the resovoir, then back to the pump.

The other one (removed) goes from the rear pump outlet to the solenoids in th engine bay, then back via the wierd cooler thingy to the other resovoir outlet, then back to the pump. All that gets removed and you block off the pump and the resovoir outlet. Finally there are 2 more lines from the HICAS solenoid right to the HICAS bar at the back of the car. these come out too.

You might be able to spot the leak by having someone turn the wheel while engine is running. Good luck

[mitchc]

Yep, they're the two I have removed. One from the rear of the pump, and the one to the reservoir. I'll take the rest off once this leak is sorted.

Thanks for the offer, but I'm halfway across the globe:D

[Duncan]

Ahh one more thought then, if the lines are still in the car it might just be fluid from the old lines....there is a heap of it in there.....

[mitchc]

But then I wouldn't have to keep topping it up. It's deffo coming from the front system. I'm off for a long test in a bit to see how it is.

Many thanks Duncan

[mitchc]

Drove it for 30 odd miles today, and apart from a little seepage from the pump, it seems to be loads better now.

[halz]

Hey, any news on possible removal of the HICAS computer on ECR33. I want to stick some amps in there and the extra room would be nice

(Already have lock bar installed)

Update on the HICAS ECU:

I now have no power steering at all.

I read in another HICAS thread something about the weight of the low speed steering being effected, but I have no power steering at ANY speed.

Not sure whether I like it or not yet.  The steering is quite heavy even in fast corners but it actually feels more direct and comunicative.  I will have to take it for a decent run through some more demanding corners and see if I can deal with it long-term.  I suppose I could just carry the ECU aroung and plug it back in when I was feeling tired/lazy

[williamsf1]

ok my HICAS bar is all installed and using Duncans instructions above..... the car is having a "hardening" of the steering at times.... what would cause that?

any help?

[GTRgeoff]

This is fairly common and is likely a result of the controller not having a rear steering angle to input for the power steering modulation. At least in the 33 the "hardness" of the power steering is controlled according to road speed, and after the lock install will get become heavily weighted at low speed, when it should be lighter. I noticed the normal heaviness at about 80kmh.

With extra castor dialled in at the front for the track it is no longer noticeable.

[Duncan]

Umm I should add a troubling development to my instructions....it could be co-incidence but more likely bad news.....the power steering pump on the car has got very noisy recently....

I would strongly suggest looking at PHATR32's suggestion....or saving for a 33/34 power steer pump

[williamsf1]

eeeeekk!!!

just as I have followed the Duncan method...hmmm

what is the PHATR32 suggestion? I couldn't find anything specific previously....

and dare I ask what a 33/34 pump costs!

(looks like the only bonus right now is that it gives easier access to the oil filter with all that crap removed!)

[PHATR32]

basicly you take the ps pump off and undo the the 4 bolts on the side of it.After you remove the cover youll see a little impeller pump thing which slides out.

Luckly the outside impeller is for the hicas and is easily removable.

Then you close the the pump up and block the outlet with a bolt.

If you dont remove the impleller and just block the hole, the pump will still be pumping the fluid, but because the fluid has nowhere to go, the pump will start to heat up and leak. maybe even wear out eventually.

i really should get my shit together and post up some pics.

steve

[williamsf1]

ok looks like I will have to do that soon before there is serious damage... Im hoping it is an easy job... does it loose much PS fluid?

and as you describe, it just slides out, and bolt the rest back up?

was expensive enough to get this far.... as here I was thinking it was a small job, but it took the guys a fair bit of time while they were fitting all the other gear....

[PHATR32]

well you have to undo the pipes on the ps pump, so some fluid will come out.

the rest is easy

[Ant]

A couple of things to add:

- As hinted at by several people in this thread, the HICAS controller in a R33 also controls the (front) power steering weighting. So disconnecting the controller results in the steering always being weighted at the 'heavy' end of the scale, whereas normally the weighting is proportional to speed - slower = lighter for easier parking.... Note that AFAIK R33's w/o HICAS have a seperate power steering only controller located in the same location as the HICAS controller.

- No-one has said this explicitly I don't think, note that the HICAS in the R32 and R33/34 is different: R32 uses hydraulic actuation whereas the R33/34 uses electric actuators to move the wheels. So comments about power steering fluid lines at the rear only apply to R32's....

[nedb]

In R32 gtst, if you disconnect the plug from the HICAS controller in the back the steering goes heavy as well.

I had to disconnect mine as when HICAS kicks in at around 70 km/h my rear comes out and it creeps along. I have to turn the steering wheel to 2 o'clock to keep the car going straight.

So will this bar fit the R32 gtst?

Is there any way to have the lock bar and not get the heavy steering? There must be some sort of controller to replace the HICAS one?