Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) oil leak at vacuum pump

[VolsFan]

Hi, I have an oil leak coming from my vacuum pump. I am going to order the rebuild kit genos sells. Doesnt leak a whole lot, just drips coming down the pitman arm. I park it in my shop though and hate to see a leak underneath it. The question I have is this a tough project? There is a shop that wants around $300 to install it with me purchasing the kit. I'm thinking that may be the best way to go so I dont cost myself more in damages, seems thats the way things go lately. Looks like the power steering pump and all should come out with it.

 

[Gordon Maney]

I have the parts to do mine and have had them for several years. A terrible thing to admit, I know.

I recently replaced my fuel injection pump and thought it would be easiest to do it while the injection pump was out. I got quite a mixed array of answers with respect to whether pulling the vacuum pump out would cause a problem with the injection pump gear hanging loose in the timing cover. I elected to take the conservative route and not do it that way, avoiding any risk of problem.

Also, it seems some fair part of it would be done from below anyway, so... . just as well do it from below.

From all that I read, your easiest thing is to disconnect the steering pump from the vacuum pump and leave it on the truck, lines still connected; eliminating the fluid loss and bleeding issues. That is the way the fellow who first offered the kits suggests you do it also.

I don't believe I would pay $300 labor to have it done.

 

[JKinney]

I ordered the kit from genos, watched the video that came with it and did the job. I left the steering pump hooked in the truck. There are 4 bolts and a bracket that hold the two together. And must go back together (meaning the bracket. ) the same way. My hardest part was puting the pump/steering pump back into position on the engine. I had to get a friend to help me push it in and bolt it up.

 

[PatD]

Just did mine and it was no big deal at all. I took both units out, it seemed simpler than trying to torque the two later and I believe it was. I solved the fluid loss by keeping the hoses facing up and immediately capping lines and fittings. I then slowly filled the lines before reassembly. The power steering unit bled itself fairly quickly. Just check the level. I also reconnected that little oil line which feeds the vacuum pump after the unit was in the truck and unlike the video tells you it was no problem to get it connected. Overall it was a simple fix which took me a couple hours and was not hard enough to warrant spending $300. 00 to do.

 

[VolsFan]

Great, thanks a lot. I am going to order that kit from Genos and tackle this thing.

 

[hsmith]

Might want to reseal the P/S pump while you are there. If you have the tools to R&R the coupling, it is no big deal. That little coupling is a booger though.

 

[Gordon Maney]

Might want to reseal the P/S pump while you are there. If you have the tools to R&R the coupling, it is no big deal. That little coupling is a booger though.

What do you mean by coupling? What is being coupled? I have not had the steering pump off my truck; this may be the dumb question of the day... .

 

[hsmith]

No, not dumb at all. Get them separated and you will see it on the p/s shaft. If you choose to do only the vacuum pump, don't worry about it.

 

[Gordon Maney]

No, not dumb at all. Get them separated and you will see it on the p/s shaft. If you choose to do only the vacuum pump, don't worry about it.

This is a coupling connecting the P/S pump to the vacuum pump? What sort of tools are required?

 

[hsmith]

This is the drive part that drives the ps pump. They just slip apart. To reseal the ps pump this part will have to come off the shaft. Small and not easy to get a puller on. Use a small bearing splitter-puller for removal.
I'm not good at explaining some things. Didn't mean to make it sound difficult.