Power steering pump...

[Jgreemo]

Hi all, I'm at a loss after installing a new power steering pump. To adjust the belt, the pry point is located behind the pulley with no obvious way to get out it. I can't get at it with from the side as the pump body blocks it and from above I can't get much leverage. Question is, does it sound like the pump carrier is incorrectly located? My chiltons guide says the hole is where it's supposed to be, but it's completely worthless as a pry point. Any ideas?

I did manage to tighten the belt by wedging against the frame and pump carrier. With these pumps, you can't even touch them for fear of causing a leak.

Happy Holidays.
Jon

[rke1]

This is a bad design on the pumps. Care to guess how many resevoirs have been damaged by prying on them to tighten the belt. I use a large Crecent wrench on the bracket to move the pump. I also made a special tool which was simply bar stock with a slot milled in it and then welded to a tubular handle at the proper clocking. This disappeared a while ago and I haven't made a new one.

[EWC]

I've had good luck with using a tie rod turning tool . Mine is from Snap On and looks like a figure 8 cut lenghtwise and has a square hole for a 1/2" drive ratchet . Hook the bottom of the tool on the steel bracket that runs from the front to the rear of the pump . This will give you something to pry against instead of the sheetmetal pump housing .

[britannic]

My trick is to use a 3' wrecking bar (we call it a crowbar where I'm from :D ). I use the crooked part to pull on the pump by levering the outside of it against the frame and hooking the nail puller end of it under the steel bracket that goes around the pump.

It doesn't damage the reservoir and gets the steering pump belt as tight as it should be.

[john8662]

I guess I'm the only one who uses the key-hole on the bracket huh. I use a very short 1/2" extension that is 2" long. I put the extension in the key-hole on the bracket, Get my rachet ready, align it in the extension already in the bracket. Then grab a 15mm open end wrench, get underneath the truck (of course) and tension the belt, and then reaching under to tighten just the one bolt on the bottom. This is a sore spot on these engines!

[wthif]

Britannic's way works great especially if you have a helper to hold the pry-bar while you tighten a few bolts.