How to Replace the Power Steering Pump in a Jeep

The power steering pump on a Jeep is the cause of power steering failure the majority of the time. The power steering pump on a jeep comes off as a unit. It uses two brackets front and rear. Its adjustment is accomplished through a tensioning bolt located under the pump. To lengthen the life of the power steering pump, it should be checked for discoloring of the fluid due to moisture collection. If the fluid is brown, there is too much moisture; this reduces the lubricating properties of the fluid.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Set of 3/8-inch drive sockets
• 3/8-inch drive ratchet
• ½-inch drive ratchet
• Power steering fluid

1. Remove the air cleaner and hose by unclipping them. Loosen mounting bolts on the alternator. Insert the ½-inch drive ratchet into the adjuster hole in the alternator bracket and push the alternator toward the center of the engine. Take the alternator belt off by hand.

2. Loosen the power steering pump by loosening the top swivel bolt and the nut in the adjuster bracket directly under the pump with a socket and ratchet. Turn the adjusting bolt on the bottom outside of the pump counter clockwise to loosen the tension on the belt. Remove the power steering belt by hand. Remove the two power steering hoses using a wrench.

3. Remove the power steering bracket by removing the two bolts and one nut on the bottom front of the pump using the socket and ratchet. Remove the top bolt and the rear bolts. Lift the pump off by hand.

4. Attach the bracket to the new pump and loosely tighten the bolts and nut. Install the pump in position and insert the two bolts in the front and rear on the bracket holding the bracket to the engine. Tighten these bolts to 33 foot pounds of torque.

5. Put the belt on the power steering pump and turn the adjusting bolt clockwise to put tension on the belt. The belt is tight when there is a half inch of deflection. Tighten the adjuster lock nut in the front lower part of the pump. Tighten the top swivel bolt.

6. Install the power steering hoses and tighten with a wrench. Route the alternator belt around the proper pulleys and tighten the tension on the alternator using the ½-inch ratchet. Tighten the lower adjusting lock-nut and the top swivel bolt.

7. Attach the air cleaner and hoses. Fill the pump with power steering fluid and bleed the pump by starting the vehicle and turning the steering wheel left and right all the way several times. Refill as necessary.

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