How to Remove a Power Steering Pump & Keep the Rack

A vehicle's power steering system is composed of primarily two components: the power steering pump and the rack. The rack sits below the engine and turns the vehicle's wheels when the steering wheel is turned. The rack operates by passing power steering fluid throughout its internal components. The power steering pump is responsible for delivering the power steering fluid to the rack. Racks rarely need to be removed, but power steering pumps tend to develop leaks every few years. Thankfully, the power steering pump can be removed while keeping the rack in place.

Things You'll Need

• Fluid pump
• Flathead screwdriver
• Wrench

Instructions

1. Remove the power steering pump's dipstick, then place the hose of a fluid pump into the pump through the dipstick tube. Operate the pump to remove the power steering fluid from the pump's reservoir.

2. Disengage the rack from the power steering pump. The rack connects to the back of the power steering pump with two hoses. One hose directs power steering fluid to the rack, while the other hose returns the fluid back to the pump from the rack. These two hoses are typically attached to the pump with hose clamps. To remove the hoses, loosen the screw on each hose clamp with a flathead screwdriver, then pull the hose away from the pump. Some hoses attach to the pump with a single nut located at the end of the hose. Loosen the nut with a wrench, then pull the hose away from the pump.

3. Loosen the power steering pump's mounting bracket bolts. Power steering pumps typically utilize two metal brackets which attach the pump to the side of the engine. At least one bolt on the lower bracket fits in a slot that has been cut out of the bracket. This slot is used to adjust the tension on the belt used to drive the power steering pump. Loosening the mounting bracket's bolts will allow the pump to slide towards the engine, thereby loosening the tension on the pump's drive belt.

4. Remove the power steering pump's drive belt by lifting the belt up and away from the pump's pulley.

5. Remove the bolts which hold the power steering pump to the pump's mounting brackets, then lift the pump out of the engine compartment to remove the pump while leaving the rack intact.