How to Change the Power Steering Pump in a 1998 Caravan

A bad power steering pump will lead to handling problems with your Dodge Caravan and can possibly damage the steering system. Changing a power steering pump is a task normally performed by a professional mechanic, but it is possible to change the pump yourself if you have some automotive experience. The exact process of removing and installing the pump in a 1998 Caravan depends on the van's engine type

Things You'll Need

• Open-end wrench
• Flare-nut wrench
• Floor jack
• Jack stands
• Catalytic converter gaskets
• Power steering fluid

Instructions

3.0 Liter Engine

1. Disconnect the van's negative battery cable.

2. Remove the drive belts from the engine, loosening the locking nuts for the alternator and compressor belts with a wrench and loosening the pivot bolt for the power steering belt with the wrench.

3. Raise the van with a jack onto jack stands then reach through the wiring harness grommet in the van's floor pan to disconnect the oxygen sensor wiring harness.

4. Remove the three screws for the box-like accessory drive splash shield with a small flare-nut or open-ended wrench then remove the shield.

5. Disconnect the supply, pressure and return hoses from the power steering pump, loosening their fittings with an open-end wrench, then plug the hoses with rubber plugs.

6. Unbolt and remove the support bracket at the pump's rear end with the wrench. Remove the pump from the mounting bracket and pull it out through the floor pan's exhaust tunnel area.

Other V6 Models

1. Disconnect the battery cable, remove the drive belts, raise the vehicle and disconnect the oxygen sensor's electrical connector as described in Section 1.

2. Disconnect the catalytic converter from the exhaust manifold, removing the mounting nut on each flange with the wrench and detaching the rubber mounts. Move the exhaust system as far to the left and rear as you can.

3. Remove the accessory drive splash shield and remove the hoses from the power steering pump as described in Section 1.

4. Loosen and remove the nut connecting the pump's rear end to the mounting bracket with a wrench, then loosen the three bolts connecting it to the front bracket.

5. Remove the pump with the front bracket, then unbolt and remove the front bracket from the pump.

Installation

1. Install the power steering pump to the mounting bracket and connect the other brackets, nuts and bolts in the reverse order of removal.

2. Reconnect the hoses to the pump with their fittings then bolt the splash shield back into place.

3. Reposition the exhaust system back into place and reconnect the catalytic converter if so equipped, using new gaskets on the flanges. Reconnect the oxygen sensor wiring harness.

4. Lower the van off the jack stands with the jack and reconnect the drive belts, tightening the locking nuts and pivot bolt. Reconnect the battery cable.

5. Fill the power steering pump with Mopar power steering fluid (or an equivalent) through the filler neck.

6. Start and run the engine at a fast idle. Turn the steering wheel from side to side, without hitting its stops, to bleed air out of the system.

Tips & Warnings

• Removing a pump on a four cylinder engine is the same as on all non-3.0 liter engines, except that, after removing the drive belts, you must loosen the nut connecting the pump's front bracket to the mounting bracket (do not fully remove the nut).

References

• "Chilton Chrysler Caravan/Voyager/Town & Country Repair Manual;" Matthew Frederick; 2002