Tech how to: Replacing a Power Steering Pump - 2001 Ford Tarus 3.0 SOHC

     It's been a while, I'd admit. But I am still up and at it learning more and more in the Automotive classes I am currently enrolled in. As the first year of school winds down, so does the project time in the shop. This gives me a good opportunity to start my Write up tech articles on some of the projects I approach during my class.

*Update* My first year of classes are over! I have learned a lot and I'm going to continue to increase my knowledge! 

     Over the past few days  I have been working on removing and installing a power steering pump and pulley on a 2000-2001 Ford Tarus 3.0 SOHC (car enthusiast lingo meaning Single overhead Cam. See you do learn something from reading these blog posts). It's a pretty straight forward job and can be done in under an hour with the right tools, lighting and space.

For the job you will need these tools:
Ratchet and socket tool set
Universal power steering kit *Must be able to remove and install Ford 3.0 Liter pulleys*
Hose clamps
Drain pan or something to hold antifreeze/coolant and power steering fluid
Power steering fluid
antifreeze
assembly lube *makes installing the pulley easier*
Power steering pump and pulley
Serpentine or V-belt depending on condition of your current belt

This Tech article's test mule....Ahem, subject.

     Now that you have your tools, parts, and of course the car. The first thing to do is let the car cool if it has been run, as you will be working in the engine bay and close to the exhaust headers. When the engine is cool, proceed to remove the coolant reservoir tank. Be careful at this point not to burn yourself or spill the coolant all over the place. Drain the access coolant into a drain pan or storage container. The engine bay should look something like this...

Coolant tank is removed allowing for access to the power steering pulley

With the Coolant reservoir out of the way, you should now be able to have access to the drive belt system, where the power steering pulley is located. The next step is to remove the drive belt by adjusting the belt tensioner along the belt system.



Now that the belt is out of the way, this is when you use the proper power steering pulley adapter to remove the pulley off. Take caution when removing as the pulley is made of plastic and can break when forced or the tool is improperly used.
The tool I used was set up and worked like this...

Power Steering pulley properly installed

With the Pulley remover properly installed, use your ratchet or wrench to tighten and pull the pulley off. This part shouldn't require much work unless the pulley shaft is caked in dirt and debris. 

Great! now the pulley is off and its time to focus on the power steering pump. To remove the pump, you want to remove the power steering fluid lines from the pump. These lines are located on the front of the pump. Return to the side where you removed the pulley, you will find 3-4 bolts. remove them with your socket and now you can remove the pump. now comes the installation of the new power steering pump.

The new power steering pump

Felt like an impact wrench, so I had to make sure it wasn't. Inspection is key!

This is the important part. Always inspect new parts to ensure they look like or mount up like the old part. Failure to do so could ruin the part and the chances of you returning the item for the correct part.


This replacement pump did not come with a new power steering pump cap, so use the one from the old one, unless you need to order a new one.

To install the new pump, reverse the removal steps. When it comes time to put the pulley back on, be sure to install the pulley as straight as you can, the installation tool will straighten it out even more. The pulley will look like it is not installing, but it takes time as it is a new part. My instructor added the following advice, "If you want to make it easier, heat up the pulley so the hole diameter will expand making installation easier." - Jim Brandon

Unfortunately for me, he waited until the job was half way done to tell me.... >,<

With the new Power Steering pump and pulley installed, proceed to install the new serpentine belt the way described by the manufacturer, coolant reservoir tank and coolant/power steering hoses.

Add power steering fluid to the system to the full mark by using the dipstick and add coolant to the full "cold" mark. Start the vehicle and now and make sure no leak are occurring. Check the steering by turning the steering all the way to the left, then to the right a few times. The noise should be gone and you should have easy steering again. Some systems require a proper power steering bleeding method to remove air from the system, I will cover that later. But until then be satisfied with the work you have just accomplished!