Power steering pump removal & rebuild

[MTS-Challenger]

Thought you guy's would like this artical about making your power steering pump to feel more firm -

www.moparaction.com/Tech/beep/PUMP_IT_DOWN-re-v1.4.pdf

[BS CUDA]

Thought you guy's would like this artical about making your power steering pump to feel more firm -

www.moparaction.com/Tech/beep/PUMP_IT_DOWN-re-v1.4.pdf

I think this sounds like a Saturday afternoon project 

[_Russ_]

Thought you guy's would like this artical about making your power steering pump to feel more firm -

www.moparaction.com/Tech/beep/PUMP_IT_DOWN-re-v1.4.pdf

That's an interesting link. Thanks!



Just thought I'd update how the rebuild went. Before the rebuild, when the Challenger sat for the week the reservoir would be empty by time the weekend came. That's how bad the leak was. I could see the top of the pump inside the reservoir and have to refill it - every week.

Now? 5 days in, and not a single drop has made it's way out 

Thanks again for the help. 

 

[spamtank]

Good link.  I'll be performing that mod.

[Topcat]

Excellent link and work done _RUSS_

I would think putting a little lube on the O rings prior to install would be good insurance.
Helps prevent any pinch or fold over that may be a leak later on.

[dougs bs23]

   great write up, and excellent item to archive for all our future repair/maintenance work. 

[Jamiez]

Any idea how to remove that bushing (the metal cylinder)?  Mine is pretty beat up but I can't figure out how to remove it.

Also, my pump was extremely difficult to get apart...the shaft seal took significant force to remove,  The cap didn't pop off as expected...it required gentle levering to get it loose.  And the O-rings in the main body were a pain.

[_Russ_]

Any idea how to remove that bushing (the metal cylinder)?  Mine is pretty beat up but I can't figure out how to remove it.

Also, my pump was extremely difficult to get apart...the shaft seal took significant force to remove,  The cap didn't pop off as expected...it required gentle levering to get it loose.  And the O-rings in the main body were a pain.

No idea how to remove the cylinder mate. Mine was in good nick and had no movement, so I left it in.

My shaft seal was the same as yours. Had to use a screwdriver to lever it, and I damaged it. Wouldn't have been able to re-use it.

[Jamiez]

I ended up purchasing some bushing installation/removal tools, they are pretty much short stepped sockets, you insert one and a handle and drive the bushing in or out.  I kept looking at the bushing thinking there was some trick to removing it, like the hole for the retaining ring.  I'd recommend against removing it unless yours is badly damaged...it's a lot of work.

Reassembly went a little smoother but said retaining ring was a pain to get back in.  I really had to put a lot of force on the cap to compress the spring to the point that the ring would snap in.  The bushing was a little tight too so I cleaned up the inside and now the shaft turns smooth.  I'm not sure I have the right o ring on the pressure union either, the one I put on there had a lot smaller ID, but it stretched to fit. 

I also managed to damage the pulley removing it, so while I'm waiting for a replacement, I'll probably hook the hoses back up, fill it, and spin it with a drill for a bit to make sure I've got all the leaks fixed.  I'd hate to put it back on the car and then just have to pull it off again

[_Russ_]

That's a shame about the pulley.

My cap & retainer ring did take a bit to get right, but it was by no means difficult. took me 3 minutes instead of 30 seconds.

How/where was your pump leaking? Mine actually leaked when the car was off/stationary. Leaving it sit for a week and there would be a pool of fluid on the floor. Didn't need to be driving/under pressure for it to leak. If yours is the same you shouldn't need to use a drill to get it spinning. Simply plug the hose connections, fill it with fluid and let it sit upright for bit.

[Jamiez]

Mine had a slight leak while under pressure.  I'd clean everything up and the floor would be fine until I run the car.  After running the car, there'd be power steering fluid on the bottom of the pump, k frame, etc. It never leaked enough to drain the pump, but it made a mess when I was adjusting the timing or if I took it out and parked it in someone's driveway.
I never crawled under it while it was running to find the leak, but my guess is the shaft seal due to the rotation wear.  The pressure union is also possible as that's also in the area where most of the fluid was found.

The pulley is completely my fault, during disassembly I stupidly put the pulley in a vise and overtightened it, deforming a small section of it.  I might be able to work it back, but Saginaw pumps are pretty common so picking up a replacement wasn't difficult or terribly expensive.

[Jamiez]

Well I made it worse

The o ring on the pressure seal must not be the right one...when it spins up now it blasts fluid out of the lower pressure union like a squirt gun.  I need to look at it but I might be able to pull that off without taking the pump off the car...all depends on which path will be less work.

But for now I'm just gonna let it sit instead of working on it more and getting frustrated.