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View Full Version : How to replace steering pump the QUICK WAY!



blueb3
07-23-2006, 02:28 AM
Allrighty then I did this today and was suprised by a couple things. First, the manual (Haynes) is really involved and makes the job look 10 times more difficult than it really is. For example, they have you dissasemble the pump in the car, using an immobilizer on the pulley and all that junk. It helps if you are switching out whole assembly (like pulling it from a junk yard, or lucking out on what the e-bay guy sent me) But there is a step that will save you some time, hassle, and cost (specialty tool)

Tools needed - Floor jack or regular jack and two jack stands, 10mm socket, 12mm socket (SHALLOW), 17mm open box wrench, needle nose pliers, small funnel with long flexi hose attachmentand a bucket (or potted plant)

Step 1 - Remove top belt guards 3-10mm bolts but only loosen the 12mm bolt (holds the long metal piece in on the edge) Slightly. Just enough to get it off, and not drop the retaining bracket off the backside

Step 2 - take out the two retaining bolts on the power steering lines (Top left side of engine)

Step 3 - On the face of the tensioner (down and slightly left of the alternator pulley) there is a "locking bracket" (12mm) loosen that bolt. On the top of the tensioner there is a LOOOONG bolt (12mm) Run it out (loosen) and push down on the alternator to take the tension off the belt. Then, remove the belt.

Step 4 - The MESSY step - Using the needle nose pliers, undo the two clamps on the top line of the power steering pump and using the 17mm box wrench. Oh yeah, do you have the bucket ready? There is no easy way to get anything under there to catch the nasty carmelized goo that comes out (I found a small funnel with a long flexy hose attached that dumps into a bucket will catch *most* of the fluid.) Allow to drain, and turn pulley by hand to "pump out" the rest.

Step 5 - Using the shallow 12mm socket, you can reach all three mounting bolts THROUGH the pulley. Remove the 3 bolts, and pull out the pump.

Step 6 - Reassemble everything in reverse order with new parts.

Step 7 - The other MESSY Part - Flush the system. Leave one line loose, hook up the other, and get the funnel and bucket ready. Start the car, and start pouring the new fluid through until it starts coming out the right color

Step 8 - Bleed the sytem - Reattach all the lines, and while the car is still up on jack stands, turn it on, and crank the wheel back and forth multiple times to full lock till all the air bubbles are out.

Step 9 - Put on new belt and make sure the tension is set right (very little deflection) Put the guards back on.

Step 10 - close the hood, and take it for a test drive.
This is where I discovered that the tension was not right on my belt (not enough) Not enough tension will be nearly impossible to turn the wheel while driving.

Feel free to PM me with any questions.

2.5GT
07-23-2006, 03:04 PM
oh god, this is what i need man lol. i need a pump bad, leaking even more now.

but do you have pics of the process? :grin:

blueb3
07-23-2006, 03:48 PM
No, my hands were too gross to even think about toucking the camera :lol: It really is a straight forward process. If you do get a pump from autozone or wherever, it usually won't come with the reservoir. The bolt that holds that to the pump is actually inside the reservoir, straight down through the opening.

2.5GT
07-23-2006, 03:55 PM
lol gotcha.

and how much does the pump cost?

blueb3
07-23-2006, 11:11 PM
I got a used assembly off an e-bay store for 50 shipped (lifetime warranty) The name of it was "Pam's Parts" (I think) And like I said, it was the whole shebang. Autozone has a remanufactured pump for ~$126 + core charge.

Wiscon_Mark
07-24-2006, 08:38 AM
Very nice!

blueb3
07-24-2006, 10:02 AM
Thanks!

I also just got my wrx head unit (indash 6-disk) that is going to replace the craptacular changer that's under the seat. I should have that write up (with pics :wink: ) tomorrow (installing tonight)

scottzg
07-25-2006, 12:01 AM
this is a rockin' writeup. Thanks for taking the time!

blueb3
07-25-2006, 12:40 AM
No problem, glad to help!

Lsnaple
05-27-2012, 03:32 PM
I know this is an old thread, but an alternative is to "rebuild" your own pump. I just did this yesterday, since my engine is out and this bastard was leaking horribly. I bought a kit off rock auto for around $30, which included a seal, a few o-rings, and a gasket, and diagram showing the pump. If it wasn't super dirty I would've taken some pics. It's only a few more bolts to take off once the pump is off. One note, if you do this make sure you put the vanes in with the rounded edge toward the outside. You'll know what I mean if you try this out.