How to Pull the Power Steering Pump
Without a power steering pump, your vehicle would be nearly impossible to turn, especially at low speeds in tight maneuvering situations. Driven by a belt and pulley, the power steering pump uses high pressure and fluid to turn gears attached to the steering linkage. Hard steering, steering wheel slippage and chirping noises can indicate worn power steering pump components, contaminated belts or bearing failure. You should be able to remove the power steering pump yourself without too much trouble.
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Things You'll Need
- Floor jack
- Jack stands
- Owner's repair manual
- Turkey baster
- Drain pan
- Carburetor cleaner
- Rags
- Penetrating oil
- Flare line wrenches
- Socket set
- Ratchet wrench
- Screwdrivers
Instructions
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1
Place the vehicle in park and activate the emergency brake. Loosen and remove the negative battery cable clamp with a socket and wrench. Lift the vehicle with a floor jack and set two jack stands under the front part of the frame behind each wheel. Refer to your owner's manual to locate the power steering pump on your vehicle. It will be driven by a pulley and belt and sit on the front side of the engine. Look for two fluid lines, with one leading to a small reservoir.
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2
Unscrew the cap on the power steering pump reservoir. Use a turkey baster to suck the power steering fluid out of the reservoir and discard it into a drain pan. Wipe down the outside of the power steering pump with carburetor cleaner and a rag. Spray penetrating oil on the pump mounting bolts and let soak. Place the drain pan under the pump. Use a flat-head screwdriver to loosen the low-pressure hose clamp and pull the hose free.
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3
Loosen and remove the nut holding the high-pressure line to the pump body, using a flare line wrench. Bend the line gently away from the pump. If your pump has an adjustable bracket, loosen the adjusting bolt and shove the pump body inward, relieving pressure on the belt. Slip the belt off. If your vehicle has a serpentine belt, place a socket and wrench on the middle bolt of the pulley tensioner and turn it to slacken the belt. Slip the belt off the pump pulley, but remember the belt routing configuration for reassembly purposes.
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4
Loosen and remove the bolts that hold the pump body to the engine. Use an extension and socket if you need to remove the single body pump that has a detached reservoir. Wiggle the pump for clearance and pull it straight out of its mounting seat, keeping it upright if it has a reservoir attached to it.
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Tips & Warnings
Remove component parts that impede access to the power steering pump body. Depending on the model, these might include a manifold cowl, AC lines or wire looms. Push wire looms aside, but remove any bracket to another component with a socket and wrench.
