Need help - Power steering solenoid valve - modified?

[MaticICE]

Hello, I recently bought used 350z (EU 2006 221kw) with 86000 km on the clock. I have changed oil and filters next day just to be sure. And than after one month strange sound was coming from the engine and I think it was somewhere around power steering pump. After closer inspection I noticed that the levels for power assist steering was well below COLD MIN (the car was cold and out side was 0°C). When I got home I added fluid and the strange sound was gone. I quickly got to mechanic and changed both drive belts and power steering fluid.

Service:
When mechanic looked at the bottom he saw that power steering solenoid valve was strangely modified in his opinion


The holes for valve ware badly welded with tiny holes and also no cable was found


He changed seal on both valves and added fluid.


He than checked and the power steering control unit was where it should be, but again no cable to be found.

When I got home after hard testing, hard acceleration (to the rev limit) and hard turning I checked fluid level and it was again below COLD MIN and the car was hot.

My questions are:
I this normal that there is no cable and the holes are welded?
What to do if there is still leakage. I will go to him to check again if there is a leakage and I will added fluid.

[PapaSmurf2k3]

My guess is that its just a variable-assist power steering solenoid. It should boost the pressure during low speed parkinglot type stuff, and reduce the boost (and thus increase effort) at highway speeds. You don't need it by any means. If you can't find anywhere the cable was cut, I would guess either the rack is from something else that HAD the option, or maybe (unlikely), Nissan just used a common steering rack between different models.

I'd suggest taking a look at the factory service manual to see if you can get any more information.
www.nicoclub.com/fsm
Also, you might have just had some air bubbles in the power steering system, and thus the fluid went down after a hard romp. I'd try just adding more fluid and monitoring it. Do you see any fluid on the ground after parking the car?