So I have determined that the power steering pump is on its way out on my dad's 98 DGC Sport with a 3.3L V6. There is a dull metallic scraping noise that varies with RPMs from the right side, steering is getting heavier, and if turned quickly enough the steering wheel would stiffen up until the pump caught up. So far I have raised the car and removed the drive belt, right front wheel, splash shield, and crankshaft pulley. My question is, how do I remove the pump? Do I remove the pump from the bracket holding it on to the engine block, or do the pump and bracket need to be removed in one piece and then disassembled once removed?
You may infact have 2 problems there (?).
1) your PS pump screen (internal filter screen) is plugged and you're not getting enough pressure built up due to this blockage, which could also starve the pump to not lubricate it enough (?)
2) your water pump may also be going and is actually causing the scraping noise.
With the belt off, try spinning the pulleys on both pumps and see which has any wiggling/looseness and scrapes.
The PS pump reservoir can be temporarily fixed using a turkey baster to suck fluid and built up crap from the screen, then refill. Otherwise, you can purchase a whole new reservoir to install. Even if it is truly the PS pump, I'd recommend you also replace the reservoir, too. I'm sure that screen is part of your problem.
I replaced the water pump about a year ago now. If the screen did starve the pump then the damage has probably been done. The power steering fluid in the reservoir is very dirty (dark brown) compared to that in our '00 T&C (red). Hopefully the steering rack hasn't suffered damage from running on filthy oil.
The oil on the 3rd gens is usually power steering fluid, which does turn dark over time but should be changed every so often. Most people never change it until the pump or something breaks though.
This is the first time working on the pump. Apparently it is not wise to remove the exhaust pipe to remove it as dictated by the service manual. So any opinions on how to get it out?
Remove fluid lines from the PS pump and drain fluid out.
Remove bolt from mounting bracket at the rear of the pump.
Remove 3 bolts holding PS Pump to front mounting bracket.
Now you can twist/turn the PS pump, complete with it's pulley, out through the wheelwell rather than spending half a day removing the exhaust.
So the pump is completely detached from the van now, I just can't seem to find a route for the pump to come out through. The exhaust route looks very tempting right now. The only other route I've found seems to be the removal of the right half shaft. Any suggestions?
I actually tried the exhaust route myself - a royal pain-in-the-a$$ just to get the header bolts undone - and then I discovered that the PS pulley has to be removed as well or there is no way the pump will go out that way.
You have to try different orientations of the pump to pull it out the side, but it will go through. Put the van on jackstands and make sure the driveshaft/track rod hang down as far as possible, and have the steering fully to the left to give more room to work.
Hurray! The pump is out. Had to remove the pump/ alternator bracket though. Next question, how does the pulley come off? I noticed it is made out of plastic and I'm afraid I'll break it with my three arm puller.
I need to buy a new pulley now. Some idiot crossed a red light causing me to stomp on the brakes. The pump smashed into the 3rd row seat in our T&C, breaking the pulley.
:angry: So far I have 1/2 the car apart, the alt. is free but not off, I have 30 bolts off the bracket, I still cannot get to the pump!!! This the worst service nightmare ever. While I was thinking, I put a new waterpump on and hoses, thermostat, housing, serp. belt is on order.
Removed the alt., have all three bolts out of the front of the PS pump, have to get the right angle bracket attached to the block in back, then it might come out. MAYBE.
It's out!!! There is a bracket arm that attaches to the exhaust manifold in the rear, what a pain that is. It bolts to the main PS/Alt. bracket, you cannot see it!!! The hoses were FUSED to old pump, had to be cut off. It came out topside, but not w/o a fight. Monday AM it goes back in somehow. I must have 10 hrs in just the PS pump. Between the PS pump, hoses, Thermostat housing/thermostat, gaskets, clamps, the Serp. Belt and water pump I have $200 wraped up in this!
Well, I put the new PS pump on the bracket out of the car and slid the whole thing in from the top, worked great. Everything has checked out so far, no leaks anywhere. Have to put the Wiper Tray and other stuff in Tuesday. Done for the day.
Success! The pump is back on. I wasn't able to update since I spent the time trying to work the new pulley on to the new pump. What a hassle it is. I was able to make a replica of the special installer tool from a bolt, a nut, and three washers. Even then I had to get help to install the pulley. For me the removal and installation of the pump was a breeze. But then again I have disassembled that area previously to remove the heads. Anyway the power steering is easy to work now.