How To: Replace Power Steering Pump - PartSource: Automotive, Truck Parts & Accessories

How To Replace Power Steering Pump

A properly maintained power steering pump is an important part of what makes grabbing the wheel a great experience. It reduces over-steering in emergency situations and more importantly, for the average Joe rolling down the road, it just makes driving a whole lot easier.

That's why PartSource is giving you what you need to install a new pump yourself. Don't be intimidated. It's not that hard, and doing it yourself will save you a ton.

Here you'll find all the instructions needed to get the job done, but if you have any questions or if you're unsure of anything, feel free to contact the Parts Pros at your local PartSource. They are always ready to help, no matter what the job is.

Let's go.

Make Safety Your Top Priority

Every vehicle is different. When it comes to maintenance and repairs, always follow the vehicle's owner's manual.

Safety should be your number one priority. Don't smoke, drink alcoholic beverages, or wear a necktie while working on the car. Watch out for hot objects, sharp instruments, hazardous materials and other potential safety hazards in and around your workspace.

Don't work with a Philips when the job calls for a flat. Substituting tools can compromise your safety or your vehicle's performance.

Finally, when the fun turns to frustration, or if the job requires specialized knowledge beyond your capabilities, please do not attempt it yourself. Talk to a Parts Pro or seek the assistance of a professional mechanic or installer. The last thing we want is someone getting hurt.

Before You Begin

Before you do anything else, relax. This is going to be easy. With some cars, it will take more work to access the hoses and pumps than to actually replace them. Here's what you want to do before you get started:

- Let the engine cool completely.

- Spray penetrating spray on any nuts, bolts or hose connections that may give you a hard time later.

- Be sure all connections are tightened to proper torque settings. Power steering (P/S) fluid pumps should be at VERY high pressure).

- Chock any wheels that are not raised off the ground.

- Remember to dispose of old fluids according to local laws.

Removing the old pump

Raise and support the vehicle if needed for your type of vehicle.

Remember - Always place a safety stand under the raised part of the vehicle.

Remove any parts that you think might get in the way of pulling out the power steering pump or hoses. If you're working anywhere near the battery, always remove the negative cable.

Drain the power steering fluid from the reservoir.

Depending on your type of vehicle, you can use a siphon pump to suck it out of the reservoir or disconnect the feed and return lines; draining it into a drain pan. If a regular wrench won't loosen the lines, you may need special "line" wrenches. Be sure to loosen the lines BEFORE removing the pump mounting bolts. Oh, and be real careful draining the fluid. If you get it on any exhaust parts or belts, it could cause a fire later on.

Loosen the feed and return lines from the pump.

Loosen these lines BEFORE removing the pump mounting bolts.

If you're only replacing the hoses and not the pump, disconnect the other end of the hose now.

Double check your hoses. Some have a connection that's hidden in the engine bay, and you can end up removing more than you need to.

Loosen and remove power steering pump bolts.

On some vehicles, you can loosen the bolts for the pump by placing a socket through the holes in the pump's pulley.

Remove the pump from your vehicle.

If your new pump doesn't come with a pulley installed, you may need to remove the pulley from the old pump, and use that. Borrow a P/S pulley removal tool from PartSource or talk to the Part Pros about buying a new pulley.

Drain the old pump completely and place it in the box that the new pump came in. Later you can return it to your local PartSource for your core refund (if applicable).

This is a great time to check and see if there are any other parts that are showing wear or damage, and take care of them too.

Installing the New Pump

If necessary, install the pulley from the old pump on the new pump.

Install any new hoses on the vehicle now, before installing the new pump.

Place the new pump in the proper position.

If possible, attach feed and return hoses to the pump before bolting it in place.

Install pump mounting bolts and torque to proper specifications. On V-belt models, don't torque the bolts yet.

Attach and/or tighten feed and return hoses to pump.

Double check all connections in the fluid system for leaks.

Install any belts that were removed, and adjust belt tension if necessary.

Tighten V-belt style mounting bolts after belt tension is adjusted.

Reinstall any other parts that were removed (brackets, shields, exhaust, etc.).

Fill the system with new power steering fluid.

Make sure you have the right fluid for your vehicle.

Check for leaks. If you don't see any, put the lid on the reservoir.

Connect the negative battery cable.

Start engine, and look for leaks again.

You need to "bleed" the system to get the air out.

NOTE - How bleeding is done changes from vehicle to vehicle. Double check your free instructions from Mitchell OnDemand. The following instructions are a general way of bleeding the steering hydraulic system.

- Make sure both front wheels are raised off the ground.

- With the engine running, slowly turn the steering wheel left to right, lightly t touching the steering stop points.

- Check your fluid level.

- You may need to do this a bunch of times to get all of the air out.

- Once you're sure that all of the air is out of the system, lower the vehicle.

That's it. Just clean up your tools, close the hood and take the new pump for a test drive. Easy, eh?