[VR6NH]

I just picked up a new power steering pump. I salvaged my old fluid reservoir and am now having a problem creating a seal between the reservoir and pump. Any suggestions? Is there supposed to be a gasket or an o-ring to create the seal?

This is the concern (sorry for the huge pic)...


Also, when it comes to installing the pulley, do I need to press it on with a specified tool or just press it on with the mounting bolt?

Thanks for the help!

Travis

[AZ Jeff]

Here is a quote from the FSM:

DISASSEMBLY
(1) Remove power steering pump.
(2) Clean exterior of pump.
(3) Clamp the pump body in a soft jaw vice.
(4) Pry up tab and slide the retaining clips off
NOTE: Use new retaining clips for installation.
(5) Remove fluid reservoir from pump body.
Remove and discard O-ring seal.
ASSEMBLY
(1) Lubricate new O-ring Seal with Mopar Power
Steering Fluid or equivalent.

Since it talks about an O-ring seal, I am guessing that's what you are missing. (What happened to the one you took off?)

You need a special tool to install the pump pulley. Any Autozone will loan you the tool for free. DO NOT try to pound or press the pulley on without the tool. You WILL destroy the pulley and/or damage the pump.

[90lerado]

return it, spend the extra 10 bucks for one with a new resvoir. you can rent the tools from autozone or you can goto your local garage, pay 10 bucks, and they will swap the pullys for you. they usually charge me 10 and i tip the tech another 10. well worth the 20 bucks.

[KML04]

Yeah its worth the extra time to find someone to press it on for you. My friend just destroyed 3 pumps tring to do it himself. If you do use a bolt and washer to press it on make sure the bolt is high quality!

[bee guz]

They rent the tool at autozone and advance auto, use a credit card, and they charge the card and when you bring it back they credit the card, it doesn't cost anything,it's just a deposit to bring the tool back...

[VR6NH]

Thanks for the help... the pump has been installed. I have not driven it more than a block down the street yet because my damn belt wont stop making noise. Regardless, the steering is somewhat sporadic... I barely put the reservoir cap on, started the motor let it idle. After a minute or two, I turned the wheels in each direction. I could hear air being worked out of the pump. However, the steering is still sketchy. Working smooth at points, and not working at all at other points. Im guessing the fluid will work itself out after a few miles... we'll see.

[VR6NH]

Update... When the motor runs at idle speed the steering is powerless. Anywhere beyond idle (even a hundred RPMs or so) the steering is fine....?

[AZ Jeff]

One question and one word of caution:

Question--what prompted you to replace your PS pump? (Are you sure the PS pump is the source of whatever troubles your power steering has?)

Caution--when installing PS pump pullies, it's important to get the pulley perfectly in line with all the other pullies in the accessory drive line. The PS pulley can be pressed on to a variable depth, and if pressed too deep (or not deep enough), it will be out of line with all the other pullies, and cause belt noise. To quote the FSM:

"With Serpentine Belt, run engine until warm (5 min.) and note any belt chirp. If chirp exists, move pulley outward approximately 0.5 mm (0.020 in.). If noise increases, press on 1.0 mm (0.040 in.). Be careful that pulley does not contact mounting bolts."

[VR6NH]

That was the only thought I had in terms of the noise. I figured it was close to impossible to install the pulley and have it perfectly aligned with all the other pullies... if anything, its not in far enough. And that is exactly what it is... a "chirp".

I replaced my steering pump because it seized up last friday... It was in the making for a long time. A few ball bearings flew out, fluid spewed everywhere, and the pulley spindle had about an inch of play (in/out).

Thanks again,

Travis

[Rescue XJ]

Moving the resivor around is easy. Make sure you bleed the system.