"JasonStern911" (JasonStern911)
06/05/2020 at 20:55 • Filed to: Mechanic fail, Power Steering Pump, Bad Mechanics
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"JasonStern911" (JasonStern911)
06/05/2020 at 20:55 • Filed to: Mechanic fail, Power Steering Pump, Bad Mechanics | 0
| 23 |
So I swapped out a bad power steering pump in a 2000 Mustang V6. Everything was really simple and straight forward with the exception of the power steering pulley. When I reinstalled it, it got far enough to stay, but not far enough for the belt to be perfectly aligned. But if I try to torque the pulley installer any further, it just “clicks” and falls back a thread as opposed to pushing the pulley back further:
I’m sure it’s something simple (even if simple is “replace the pulley with a new one”), but I’m at a loss. No YouTube videos I’ve seen ever have this happen. W hat am I doing wrong, or what trick am I unaware of to get the pulley flush?
Thank you!
GoodIdeaAtTheTime
> JasonStern911
06/05/2020 at 21:26 |
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pulley on backwards? burr on either the pulley or shaft preventing it from seating? wrong pump? wrong pulley? manufacturing defect of either the pump or pulley? pulley bent? pull the tool off and see if the front of the pulley is flush with the front of the shaft. really really hard to see in the video, but almost looks like the pulley is bottomed out.
XJDano
> JasonStern911
06/05/2020 at 21:33 |
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How are the pulley installer threads?
I just fast forwarded a video on this and it seems like the intsaller is just a threaded rod that has a “nut” with a flaired end that presses the pulley onto the shaft.
I’ve never done this repair, so I’m speculating the threads are bad. Remove and inspect.
If all else fails, tap it on with a brass hammer.
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JasonStern911
> GoodIdeaAtTheTime
06/05/2020 at 21:38 |
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Thanks for the reply!
Pulley is definitely not on backwards. The belt side would crush into the block if that happened.
I had a similar problem getting the pulley off. Eventually after messing with it for a good while it was able to come off. So I doubt it’s the pump.
Car has 20 years of ownership by not-me, and was bought with a power steering leak. S o I wouldn’t be surprised if the pulley is damaged from a prior attempt to fix it. But then I also wouldn’t be surprised if I’m just an idiot mechanically and there’s a trick I don’t know.
Looks like a new pulley is only $25 and readily available at the local AutoZone. If no one else has experienced this and knows a trick, I’ll probably just give that a try.
Have to admit how awesome American cars are in that respect. Cheap parts that are readily available. Every time I touch a German car, I fear I’m going to break something that’s more expensive than what I’m trying to fix in the first place.
PartyPooper2012
> JasonStern911
06/05/2020 at 23:17 |
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How is the pulley getting attached to the shaft without slipping? Is there a key? Kind of like in a lawnmower? Or are there splines like an axle?
Could it be they are not aligned ? have you tried pulling the pulley off, checking for wear marks to see what you are hitting and trying again while avoiding previous mistakes?
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JasonStern911
> PartyPooper2012
06/05/2020 at 23:53 |
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I literally have no idea. There’s no key, no spline. You can’t remove the bolts holding the power steering pump in without removing the pulley, so I can’t just take the pulley and pump somewhere without having to tow the car.
Here’s a video of exactly what I’m doing:
(Skip to 6:22 if Kinja’d)
No magic. No trickery. Just put enough pressure on the pulley to force it onto the power steering shaft.
The whole thing seems poorly engineered. Like a bolt, screw, c
otter pin, etc. could easily solve this without having to buy additional tools. But what do I know?
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JasonStern911
> XJDano
06/05/2020 at 23:54 |
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Pulley installer is brand new, purchased exclusively for this job . Even borrowed a second one in hopes that it would fix it, but nope.
Thisismydisplayname
> JasonStern911
06/06/2020 at 07:44 |
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My money is on the install tool being not up to the task. I had to use two different ones to do a PS pulley on my north star PS pump. The first tool looked okay but the installer started slipping and stripping when I cranked it down. Rented another tool and lubed the crap out of the threads and any surface that was rubbing anything and eventually the pulley went on fully. Also try throwing the pump in the freezer overnight to shrink down the shaft. Or heat the pulley in the oven, or both.
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Thisismydisplayname
> JasonStern911
06/06/2020 at 07:47 |
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Heat the pulley up before you go to install it. That should help expand the pulley bore. But you’ll have to work fast. Id go to a different store and rent another tool too.
AMGtech - now with more recalls!
> JasonStern911
06/06/2020 at 10:41 |
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99% sure the tool is your problem. Especially if it’s a cheap one, especially especially if it’s harbor freight. For the install, you can often just use a bolt, nut, and some washers (I haven't done one of these specifically in almost 15 years mind you ). High quality ones are 1000x better than the cheap pot-metal crap that most DIY-grade special tools are.
diplodicus forgot his password
> Thisismydisplayname
06/06/2020 at 10:50 |
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Was also going to recommend heating the pulley so you can fully seat it since it sounds like it's just an interference fit.
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JasonStern911
> AMGtech - now with more recalls!
06/06/2020 at 20:55 |
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Yeah. That’s annoyingly probably it. Pulley tool is just the $30 AutoZone special. Figured it was either that or the pulley itself, but didn’t want to throw good money away.
Thanks!
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JasonStern911
> Thisismydisplayname
06/06/2020 at 20:55 |
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Good advice. Thank you!
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PartyPooper2012
> JasonStern911
06/09/2020 at 06:01 |
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I think there is just a bolt holding it in place. I would pull the pulley off and inspect the inner opening of the pulley for corrosion or any wear marks when you tried to tighten it. If one side has half moon markings, it would indicate the pulley was not sitting straight and is fighting you. If there is corrosion - that would also prevent you from going on smoothly. I would sand the corrosion down a bit. Don’t go crazy, but clean it.
Lastly, as they say, if it moves and it shouldnt - duct tape. If it doesn’t move and it shoud - wd40. Lube that bitch up a bit. Also make sure the shaft is nice and clean.
Any chance of the shaft being bent a little to prevent the pulley from going on? Spin the shaft around and see if you see any wear marks from the pulley?
You can check the shaft with a speed square or someothing smaller if that doesn’t fit in there - something you know is 90 degrees.
I’m just going off general wrenching knowledge. If it went on before, it should go back. New pulley might have a slightly smaller inner diameter. Check it with a micrometer to make sure they are same. Maybe there is a mismatch somewhere and you’re fighting an unwinnable battle. Might have to shave something down a bit.
Good luck.
oh and if all else fails... BFH - I don’t recommend it... but it’s always an option
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JasonStern911
> PartyPooper2012
06/14/2020 at 19:02 |
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Thanks. A bolt holding it in would make COMPLETE sense. So naturally Ford didn’t go that route.
Shaft is fine - rebuilt power steering pump. I am suspecting the pulley was damaged by the previous owner when trying to fix it himself, hence why he was like “new clutch, new water pump, new plugs, slight issue with the power steering.” (check it out - fluid leaking everywhere)
I own multiple out-of-warranty German cars. I’m a glutton for punishment. Just a question now of how to best fix this.
I posted an update if you want to see just how bad this has gone:
https://oppositelock.kinja.com/update-besides-not-being-a-mechanic-but-trying-to-be-1844032827
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PartyPooper2012
> JasonStern911
06/15/2020 at 07:00 |
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Well, that sure looks a mess. Can you not take an angle grinder to the remainder of the pulley. Grind it off so you can get to the fastener holding the steering pump to the engine... yank that old pup off. get new pump and pulley. Slap it all back together... Turn on some good ol tunes and laugh on the way to work?
No? Why not? Not like we trust the pump anymore - you probably damaged half the bearings inside. Bent the shaft. Pulley has seen better days....
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PartyPooper2012
> JasonStern911
06/15/2020 at 07:02 |
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I’m just gonna leave this here...
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PartyPooper2012
> JasonStern911
06/15/2020 at 07:04 |
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oddly enough... it’s not too late. You still have the flange on the pulley. You can still pull it off. You can still take off old steering pump and you can still fix this... RIGHT TOOL like ITA97 said
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JasonStern911
> PartyPooper2012
06/16/2020 at 22:18 |
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That’s pretty close to the kit I’m using. Unless OEMTOOLS is some higher quality brand that I have never heard of before. SnapOn supposedly has the best puller, but the installer is sold separately. And the total cost of both is like 10x the cheap Chinese tools (that don’t work).
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JasonStern911
> PartyPooper2012
06/16/2020 at 22:19 |
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https://oppositelock.kinja.com/update-besides-not-being-a-mechanic-but-trying-to-be-1844032827
I want to cry but I’ve got to laugh...
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PartyPooper2012
> JasonStern911
06/17/2020 at 06:37 |
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par for chinese quality. Sigh. Sorry for your troubles. I’d come help you wrench if you were close. Are you close? What state?
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PartyPooper2012
> JasonStern911
06/17/2020 at 06:40 |
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Are we to understand you are still at it?
Did you get the old pulley off? Yank the old pump off and install new pump and pulley yet... or no?
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JasonStern911
> PartyPooper2012
06/17/2020 at 21:27 |
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Yeah. In Part 3, I paid $50 for a heavy duty Lisle 39000 pulley puller only for the USPS to deliver it to the wrong address. X-)
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JasonStern911
> PartyPooper2012
06/17/2020 at 21:27 |
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Reno, NV.