How to Change a Power Steering Pump on a Grand Am

Change the power steering pump on your Grand Am.

The steering system on your Pontiac Grand Am uses various mechanisms to help you guide and control the vehicle, including the power steering pump. After years of service, components in the power steering pump may wear or brake: The rotor and input shaft may loose a firm connection, the case may develop cracks or leaks. In such cases, you need to replace the pump unit.
The steps below--based on a 2000 model--will help you replace the steering pump. Instructions will apply to 2.2, 2.4 and 3.4L engine models. Whenever a step applies to a particular model it will be made explicit.

Things You'll Need

• Wrench
• Ratchet
• Sockets
• Floor jack for 3.4L engines

Instructions

1. Park your car in a safe place.

2. Take off the upper air cleaner assembly and duct; if your vehicle comes with an evaporative emissions (EVAP) canister purge solenoid valve, remove it too. In most cases, you can remove the valve manually.

3. On 3.4L engines, you do not need to remove the upper air cleaner assembly and duct. But you have to support the engine with a floor jack and take off the upper engine mount using a wrench or ratchet and sockets, and remove the drive belt form the engine.

4. Place a catch pan underneath the power steering pump and disconnect the power steering hoses form the pump using a wrench or ratchet and socket.

5. Take off the power steering mounting bolts and lift the pump out of the engine compartment.

6. Set the new steering pump in place and install the mounting bolts. Tighten the bolts to 19 feet lbs. (26 Nm). On 3.4L engines, tighten the mounting bolts to 25 feet lbs. (34 Nm).

7. Install the hoses to the steering pump and the EVAP canister purge solenoid valve if equipped. On 3.4L engines, reinstall the drive belt, upper engine mount and remove the floor jack.

8. Reinstall the upper air cleaner assembly and duct.

9. Fill the reservoir with power steering fluid and bleed the system. Consult your vehicle service manual for the proper procedure for your particular car model.

Tips & Warnings

• To locate and identify components on your particular vehicle, consult your car service manual. You can buy one at most auto parts stores.

• Many vehicles have an air bag system or Supplemental Inflatable Restraint (SIR) system installed. Make sure to consult your particular vehicle service manual and check whether you need to and how to disable the SIR system. Working on power steering components may trigger impact sensors and accidentally deploy the air bags, causing serious personal injury.