Power steering pump

[kphx87blazer]

I have a 87 K5, how hard of a job is it to change out a power steering pump. Briefly, what are the basics to doing this? Is it pretty much "plug and play" so to speak?

I plan to pick up the pump from Auto Zone.

Thx in advance.

 

[colbystephens]

i've changed a couple. it's pretty straight forward, but it can definitely be a mess! the only thing that may cause frustration is getting the hard-lines hooked up again. sometimes they're just difficult to line up and manage.

when you put the new fluid in, you'll likely need to purge the system of air. most folks put the truck's front axle up on jack stands and turn the engine on and rotate the wheels back and forth 50 or so times while continually checking that the fluid hasn't dropped too low. the purging can be a long irritating process, but it's not that big of a deal.

 

[cdoggwsu]

If you can change a v-belt it shouldn't be a problem. While you're at it, pick up a new pressure line and replace it too - they're cheap. If you ask for a return line at the parts store, they'll likely try to sell you one for a hydroboost system which obviously won't fit so just buy about 12" of 3/8 fuel hose and some hose clamps...you'll reuse the return hardline. The pressure line will come with o-rings but you'll need another one for the return line. You can omit replacing the return line o-ring if you don't take it out of the steering box.

You'll also need to pull the pulley off the old pump and press it on the new one. They sell a puller at harbor freight for like 15 bucks, but if you bring your old pump with you they should be able to pull it right at the parts place. The new pump should come with a kit to reinstall the pulley. The pump bracket will also need to be moved over to the new pump and can only be done with the pulley removed.

Thread the pressure line in to the pump before you reinstall it or it'll be a bear to get in once bolted back to the block. Cut the return line to fit, tighten all the fittings, bleed and you're done!

 

[Flamin' Fast]

i would not recomend using a pump from napa, autozone, or any of those places. i went through this on my blazer and after trying 7 pumps i got tired of doing it and went with a delco pump from the dealer. it wasnt too much more and it actually worked unline the other pumps

 

[jonathon]

Flare wrenches.. 16mm and 18mm, should be able to get the combo at Sears in a combo wrench. None of the parts places had one when I did mine..

 

[cdoggwsu]

Flare wrenches.. 16mm and 18mm, should be able to get the combo at Sears in a combo wrench. None of the parts places had one when I did mine..

Good call. I couldn't find a single metric flare wrench in this town or at harbor freight. I ended up getting a regular 18mm end wrench at Ace...I never ran into a 16mm flare nut, my 5/8 flare wrench worked on the pump side of the pressure line.

 

[jonathon]

I couldn't get anything but a 16 on mine. Fortunately if you get a Craftsman 18mm flare wrench.. the other end is a 16mm