How To Repair Power Steering Pump

Most of today's vehicles are equipped with an updated version of a hydraulic power steering system that was introduced in 1951. Although the blueprint and connections take changed over the years, the basic process of how power steering fluid is circulated through this hydraulic system remains the same. This has been and is oft still powered by a power steering pump.

In a hydraulic power steering system, fluid is pumped through a serial of lines and hoses to the steering rack which moves as the driver turns the steering bike to the left or right. This added hydraulic pressure brand steering the vehicle much easier and was a welcome relief. Today'south mod ability steering systems are electrically controlled by the power steering assisted components attached to the steering cavalcade or the box itself.

Before it was replaced by EPS systems, the power steering pump was attached to the engine cake or a support bracket about the engine. The pump is driven by a series of belts and pulleys attached to the crankshaft eye pulley or to a serpentine belt that drives multiple components including air conditioning, alternators, and the power steering pump. As the pulley spins, it turns an input shaft within the pump which creates pressure within of the pump'due south housing. This pressure is practical to the hydraulic fluid inside the lines that connects the pump to the steering gear box.

The power steering pump is e'er active when the vehicle'southward engine is running. This fact, along with the reality that all mechanical systems wear out overtime are major factors causing this component to break or wear out.

Nether most circumstances, the power steering pump should last almost 100,000 miles. However, if the power steering belt breaks or other internal components within the pump habiliment out, information technology is rendered useless, requiring either a new chugalug, pulley, or a new pump. When the pump is replaced, usually mechanics will supersede the primary hydraulic lines that attach the pump to the fluid reservoir and the steering box.

Note: The job of replacing the power steering pressure level switch is rather unproblematic. The verbal location of the ability steering pump varies based on the manufacturer's specs and blueprint. Always refer to the vehicle's service transmission for the exact instructions on replacing this component and make sure to follow their steps for servicing ancillary components that make up the ability steering arrangement before completing the job.
Warning: Brand certain to wear rubber glasses and gloves when working on this project. Hydraulic fluid is very corrosive, so it's brash you lot wear plastic gloves when replacing this component.

Part 1 of 3: Determining the symptoms of a bad power steering pump

There are several private parts that make up the entire power steering system. The primary component that supplies pressure to the hydraulic lines is the power steering pump. When it breaks or is starting to fail, at that place are a few alert signs:

Sounds coming from the pump: it's common for the power steering pump to brand grinding, clunking, or whining sounds when the internal components are damaged.

Smell of burning ability steering fluid: in some instances, the power steering pump creates excess oestrus if some internal parts are broken. This might cause power steering fluid to oestrus up and actually burn. This symptom is also common when seals on the ability steering pump crack, causing power steering fluid to leak from them.

In many cases, the power steering pump will not office considering the serpentine or bulldoze chugalug is broken and needs to be replaced. It'south also common for the power steering pulley to intermission or wear out. If you notice these symptoms and have inspected the ability steering pump, replacing this component is the all-time course of activeness. This job is rather simple to complete, but you should e'er read the exact procedures your vehicle manufacturer recommends in the service manual.

Function two of 3: Replacing the power steering pump

Materials Needed

Hydraulic line wrenches
Pulley removal tool
Boxed terminate wrench or ratchet wrench
Bleed pan
Replacement power steering bulldoze or serpentine chugalug
Replacement ability steering pulley
Replacement power steering pump
Safety equipment (rubber glasses & plastic or rubber gloves)
Shop rags
Threadlocker

According to most experts, this job should take well-nigh two or three hours to complete. Make certain you requite yourself enough time to work on this project and try to complete it all on the same day to avoid missing steps.

Before you first on this job, brand sure you have a good supply of store rags placed nether all hydraulic lines that you might remove. Hydraulic fluid is very hard to remove from metallic components and the hoses will leak when you remove them.

Footstep ane: Disconnect the vehicle'southward battery. Before removing any parts, locate the vehicle'southward battery and disconnect the positive and negative bombardment cables.

This stride should always be the starting time thing you do when you work on any vehicle.

Pace 2: Elevator the vehicle. Do this with a hydraulic lift or jacks and jack stands.

Step three: Remove the engine encompass and ancillary parts. This volition give you articulate access to the ability steering pump.

Near vehicles have easy access to the power steering pressure level switch while others require you lot to remove a few components including: engine cover, radiator fan shroud & radiator fan, air intake assembly, alternator, Air conditioning compressor, and harmonic balancer.

Always refer to the vehicle's service manual for verbal instructions on what y'all need to remove.

removing the serpentine belt and drive belt with glove on hand

Step 4: Remove the serpentine belt or drive belt. To remove the serpentine belt, loosen the tensioner pulley that is located on the left side of the motor (as you're looking at the motor).

One time the tensioner caster is loose, y'all can skid the chugalug off rather easily. If your ability steering pump is driven by the drive belt yous'll take to remove this belt as well.

Step 5: Remove lower engine covers. On almost domestic and foreign cars, at that place are one or two engine covers underneath the engine.

This is commonly known as a skid plate. To gain access to the ability steering pump lines, you'll have to remove these.

Step 6: Remove the radiator fan shroud and the fan. This gives easier admission to the ability steering pump, caster and supporting lines that need to be removed.

removing the power steering fluid lines located underneath the power steering pump

Step seven: Disconnect lines going into power steering pump. Using a socket and ratchet or a line wrench, remove the hydraulic lines that are continued to the bottom of the ability steering pump.

This is usually the supply line that is connected to the gear box. Make sure you place a drip pan under the vehicle before attempting this step as power steering fluid will drain.

Footstep 8: Permit power steering fluid bleed. Let it drain from the pump for a few minutes.

Pace nine: Remove the mounting commodities underneath the power steering pump. At that place is unremarkably a mounting commodities that connects the power steering commodities to either a bracket or the engine block. Remove this bolt using a socket or end wrench.

Note: Your vehicle may not have mounting bolts located underneath the power steering pump. Ever refer to your service manual to make up one's mind if this step is needed for your specific application.

removing the ancillary lines connected to the power steering pump

Step 10: Remove the additional hydraulic lines from the power steering pump. One time y'all've removed the chief supply line, remove the other attached lines.

This includes the supply line from the power steering reservoir and the return line from the gear box. Some vehicles have an electrical harness attached to the ability steering pump. If your vehicle has this option, remove the harness at this point of the removal project.

power steering pump pulley

Step xi: Remove the power steering pump pulley. In order to successfully remove the power steering pump caster, you lot'll need to use the correct tool.

This is often referred to as a caster removal unit. The procedure for removing the pulley is noted below, but you should e'er read the manufacturer'southward service manual for their recommend steps.

This involves attach pulley removal tool to the pulley and guide the locking nut onto the edge of the pulley. Using a socket and ratchet, slowly loosen the caster while holding the pulley attachment nut with a respective end wrench.

This process is very slow, just necessary in order to correctly remove the power steering caster. Go along loosening upwards the pulley until the pulley has been removed from the power steering pump.

removing bolts securing the power steering pump to the bracket

Step 12: Remove mounting bolts. Using an impact wrench or regular socket and ratchet, remove the bolts holding the ability steering pump onto the bracket or the engine cake.

Usually there are 2 or three bolts that need to be removed. One time this has been completed, remove the former pump and take it to a workbench for the next step.

Step 13: Transfer the mounting bracket from the erstwhile pump to the new pump. Most replacement power steering pumps exercise not come with a mounting bracket for your specific vehicle.

This means you'll have to remove the erstwhile bracket from the older pump and install it onto the new bracket. Simply remove the bolts that secure the bracket to the pump and install on the new pump. Brand sure to install these bolts using threadlocker.

anti seize lubricant applied to the new pulley on the power steering pump

Stride fourteen: Install the new ability steering pump, pulley and belt. Anytime you lot install a new power steering pump, you demand to install a new pulley and belt.

The process for installing this unit of measurement is exactly reverse from the removal and is noted beneath for your review. As always, refer to your vehicle service transmission for specific steps as they will vary for each manufacturer.

Pace 15: Secure pump to engine block. Secure the pump to the engine cake by screwing bolts through the bracket to the block.

Tighten bolts earlier proceeding to recommended torque pressure.

Step 16: Install new caster using the pulley installation tool. Adhere all hydraulic lines to the new power steering pump (including bottom supply line).

Step 17: Reinstall remaining parts. Reinstall all parts removed to give better access.

Reinstall new serpentine belt and drive belt (refer to manufacturer'due south service transmission for proper installation procedures).

Reinstall radiator fan and shroud, lower engine covers (skid plates), and whatsoever parts you lot had to remove initially in the exact opposite gild yous removed them.

Pace 18: Fill power steering fluid reservoir.

Step 19: Clean up underneath vehicle. Before you end the task, make sure to remove all tools, droppings, and hardware from under the vehicle to avoid running over them with your vehicle.

Stride 20: Reconnect battery cables.

Part 3 of three: Examination driving the vehicle

Afterward you lot've reinstalled all components that take been removed and you've filled the ability steering fluid to the "total" line, you need to prime the power steering system. This is all-time completed by starting the engine while the front wheels are in the air.

Footstep 1: Prime number the power steering system. Outset the vehicle and turn the steering wheel to the left and right a few times.

Shut off the motor and refill the ability steering fluid reservoir. Consummate this process until the power steering fluid reservoir does not crave refilling.

Step 2: Perform a route test. A good route test of x to xv miles is recommended when you've replaced the ability steering pump.

Start the vehicle beginning and audit underneath the vehicle for any leaks before you take the vehicle on any road test.

If you've read these instructions and yet don't feel perfectly confident completing this repair, delight contact i of YourMechanic'southward local ASE certified mechanics to come up to your home or business concern and complete the power steering pump replacement for you.

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