Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) power steering pump alignment?

[paulsmith]

replacing the power steering pump on my 96, it slips in to about 1/4" gap, I assume that is the drive key not aligned? I have been trying for a hour to pull the pump back, turn it a few degrees, and put it back... . No luck



Do i just "draw the pump up" with the bolts?



Paul

 

[aircop]

If its the same as the 24 valve, the pump shaft has to line up with the slot in the vacuum pump.

 

[Ram4Sam]

Do not force it with the bolts, or it will get expensive. Also, are you just hanging a new steering pump on the vacuum pump which is still on the motor? If you are, with all that banging around on the old vac pump seal, that sucker will leak oil. Do yourself a favor, pull the vac pump off the motor and change the seal, and assemble the vac pump and steering pump on the bench, then mount the whole assembly.

Sam

 

[BigPapa]

Do i just "draw the pump up" with the bolts?

NO, NO, NO!



You'll be buying a new vacuum pump! Maybe this drawing will help. The piece you are lining up in the vacuum pump is kind of "floating" in there and can be a little tricky. The end of the shaft in the vacuum pump looks like the end of the power steering pump shaft and there is a round "coupler" with a cross cut out of it that the ends of both shafts fit in.



Scott

 

[paulsmith]

Yes, a new pump on a old vacuum pump, in the truck. Old Power Steering pump leaked bad, the hose wore through the tank (rubbed)



this is a yard truck, I add about 1/2 pint of Power steering fluid each day, and one gallon of water (head gasket seeping) Trans wont lock the converter, seat is broke, bed it trashed, headliner gone, Blow outs on both back tires (no fenders) NO AC, Doors sag, NO exhaust... 330,000 miles... it just wont die...



So, I replaced the PS pump (got to where it would not run a full day and be able to turn) with a new one. ($75 from NAPA)



Problem was, pump had 4 studs, so I installed all the studs back in the new pump on the bench, but in doing so, was not able to "rotate" the pump in. so I took out all the studs, gently rotated the pump until it just slipped in, then bolted it on.



Actually only took about one hour, but greasy black as hell...



I did put a lot of assembly grease on the vacuum pump seal and on the seal area on the new PS pump before installing the new pump, to aid in the assembly so the seal would slip on easy. Fingering up inside the vacuum pump, the seal "felt" smooth and pliable.



Maybe this winter I will put on a head gasket (cant put a gallon of antifreeze in every day when it is 10 below). Problem is, Exhaust manifold is bad shrunk, and I am sure, wont go back on. Some of the screw holes on the P7100 are stripped, and It suspect it will need a lot of head work. With the Torque converter problem and the lower prices some of the used diesel trucks are bringing, it is hard to drop thousands into a 330000 mile heap.