It appears that the reservoir is leaking on the shaft. When engine is running, the shaft spins, and throws a fine mist of power steering fluid in the air... If I open the hood with the engine running I can see a fine mist of the fluid in the air... ???? Have you ever experienced something like this? What repair needs to be done to fix? Thanks
Sounds like your pump is ready for a rebuild. The good news is the kits are available at the local parts place. $20 at AdvanceAuto.com http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/p/...20892109-P?searchTerm=power+steering+pump+kit
Thanks. Would you say the rebuild process is fairly simple? Any special tools required? Hopefully I can find a "how-to" thread here on the forum.
That seal on the front is going to be the worst part, to be honest. The others aren't too bad. There are several vids on youtube. I think the pulley is the biggest pain to get off without a special tool. Probably can rent it from Advanced or where ever you get your parts. Part 1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c5RaNn-fkQo Part 2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uj2Zw2vV7ZU
Thanks. Since I will be having to remove the power steering pump, I am thinking I should go ahead and replace the the lines and perhaps service the steering gear. I imagine I can get replacement hoses at a local auto part store. However, In the service manual I see that I need a Special Pitman Arm Puller J-5504 if I want to remove the pitman arm so that I can remove the steering gear.. I have done a search on the net, but it seems like this tool is no longer available.... Maybe I don't need to remove the steering gear anyways. I haven't experienced any issues with my power steering other than the leak at the pump...... Maybe I just flush some fluid through the gear to clean it out..???? Since I am rebuilding the Pump, what other service is recommended to do on the rest of the steering system?
The power steering pulley is held onto the key way shaft with a 3/4" nut & lock washer. Once the nut is removed the pulley will normally just slide off. Sometimes a little persuading is nec., but be careful as the pulley can bend quite easily. Then it's all a matter of removing & replacing the seal. It's not even nec. to remove the pump off the car. In fact it's easier if left on as it's bolted in place. Tom T.
Thanks.. Just to make sure we are on the same page.. I should be able to do a rebuild of the power steering pump while the pump is attached to the pulley and with the still mounted in the car?? What about performing a rebuild of the power steering gear? Are there any tricks or shortcuts? If the steering gear has to be removed from the vehicle to rebuild it, how do you recommend getting the pitman arm off?
I would not rebuild the steering gear box myself. That's something that can get you killed if it goes south. There are plenty of professionals that can do it properly and have all the tools. They can even build you a quick ratio box if you want to drop from 4 turns lock to lock. As for the pitman arm, I rent them from the local parts store. I don't know if you have access to one but wherever you get the pump rebuild kit should be able to rent it to you. The pulley will have to come off to rebuild the pump and replace the front seal. You will get steering fluid all over the place if you rebuild it on the car and you have to take the through bolts out so it won't do much good to attempt to rebuild it on the car in my experience. The hoses should be easy to source. If you watched those two videos, they pretty much show you the things you need to know. There are others as well.
Since the engine is NOT running when the pulley is removed there will be NO pressure behind the seal. A "Little" fluid may come out but it WON'T come pouring out. I've done MANY this way & have lost little or no fluid. Tom T.
IF you are only replacing the front seal, I'll agree. However, I'd go ahead and replace the other 50 year old seals as well.
