Power Steering pump

[airhead]

Hello all,

I think I've got a leak in the power steering pump on my 2002 GTP (138K miles). There is clear fluid leaking down right underneath it and the level in the resevoir keeps going down.

How big of a project is it to replace this? What kind of time is involved. I am pretty mechanically inclined (have done alot of car work over the years including engine swaps) but this thing looks like it would be really hard to get at.

Am also wondering where you might find a good service manual on this car.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance. Airhead

 

[GR8racingfool]

Not that hard of a project.

You might check first and see if its maybe a broken line to it or from it meaning the pressure or return line, or maybe a loose pressure line at the pump. Never know. Clean the area well with a pressure washer, and then drive and then get home and check it out and see if you can see where its dripping from. You may not need a pump...but maybe you do, just depends.

For your year, I would recommend removing the pump from the bottom, through the right front wheel well. or out the top...if you feel like removing much more than you have to.

There is a pressure line that screws into the pump, and a rubber return hose that clamps on the resv. Three bolts hold the pump onto the engine. You can get to them through the holes in the PS pump pulley. I believe they are 10mm. (deep socket would be a wise choice)

Remove, reinstall new, full with fluid, and purge the system of air recheck fluid level, done.

I strongly recommend NOT getting one from the parts store as your replacement. They will leak or fail sooner than one from a salvage yard. I would email ed and ask for a used OEM one, and not one that was removed that was a remaned. Or, hit up your local salvage yard. They are usually around $45.00 to $60.00 used depending on where you go.

~F~

 

[LowlyfeGTP]

Hello all,

I think I've got a leak in the power steering pump on my 2002 GTP (138K miles). There is clear fluid leaking down right underneath it and the level in the resevoir keeps going down.

How big of a project is it to replace this? What kind of time is involved. I am pretty mechanically inclined (have done alot of car work over the years including engine swaps) but this thing looks like it would be really hard to get at.

Am also wondering where you might find a good service manual on this car.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance. Airhead

Like Farns said, check the lines, etc. first to make sure. It really isn't that hard of a process.

I did it from the top in under 30 minutes, having never swapped one before. I had pulled the engine before, so I knew the two lines and I had pulled the PS pump from my other block, so I knew about the two bolts.

Removal:
-Remove the tank on the strut tower
-Remove SC belt
-Only 2 bolts holding PS pump to the engine, have to access them through the holes in the pulley(remove)
-I put a shop rag under to catch any fluid, but lost very little
-Rotated PS pump a bit
-Removed clamped hose
-Removed threaded line
-Wiggled it out of the engine bay (getting it in and out was the hardest part)

Install:
-Wiggle down in to opening
-Attach clamped line
-Attach threaded line
-Line up PS pump and start 2 bolts
-Tighten
-Fill
-Purge
-Fill, if necessary
-Put belt back on
-Put tank back on

Realistically, most steps take seconds. The hardest part was getting it in and out. Somethings I know others do, but I found unnecessary:
-Remove alternator
-Access everything from the underside
-Remove threaded line first for leverage
-Remove wheel, etc. and access from that way
-So on...

As far as manuals I got my GM Factory Service Manuals off of Ebay for a good price like new. Very informative and I use them frequently. Some of the lesser manuals can still be helpful because they have more pics and what not to get a visual. There are also CD versions available, online subscriptions, etc.

I also definately second getting a used one from Ed or a local yard before the parts stores. Hope this helps.

 

[airhead]

Thanks guys,

I spent alot of time the other day with the front wheel off and engine running trying to figure out where this was coming from. The wife (1997 GT) kept saying it smelled like antifreeze. I couldn't see anything definitive so I took it to a local shop with a very good reputation. They put it on a lift and couldn't really see anything either. Then the mechanic hooked a pump to the radiator cap and put some pressure in the system. Low and behold, under pressure there was a small geyser shooting up from a plastic bypass hose on the water pump. I guess it only leaked when the pressure came up high enough such as after you turn off the engine.
It's in the shop this morning getting repaired. My 55 years don't let me play contortionist around an engine too much anymore. Their estimate was real reasonable.
I'll post as to how things went.

Thanks again for the good advice. You guys are awsome !!!! Will definitely be looking for some books.

Bob

 

[GR8racingfool]

^sounds like a leaky coolant elbow. Common part to wear out or break when your working on or around that elbow. Its like a $3.00 part, and takes about 25 to 30 minutes to install. Hope they fix ya up though, leaks suck.

~F~

 

[airhead]

Leak is fixed!

There is a plastic elbow above and one below the water pump. The shop I went to was great. They repaired the problem in the time frame they gave me and for the money they had estimated. Engine area was clean, battery terminals had been serviced and the car ran just as I had left it.
Not sure if I can name the shop here but it's in LandO'Lakes,Fl. Let me know if it's OK to post a name like that and I will.

Thanks again for the great support. Bob