Need to remove power steering pump. Time to go manual? :)

[Xist]

Okay, so Autozone tested my electrical system and said that I had a bad voltage regulator. Their part was $170, but I could purchase the OEM one for less out the door, but a new alternator, which contains the VR, is even less, so I ordered one of those.

Pulling out my Chilton manual, it says:

1. Note the radio security code and the radio presets.
2. Disconnect the negative battery cable, then the positive.
3. Remove the power steering pump.
4. Detach the wiring from the alternator.
5. Loosen the through bolt, then loosen the adjustment locknut. Then loosen the adjusting bolt.
6. Remove the alternator belt.
7. Remove all mounting and adjusting bolts and then remove the alternator.

Easy enough. How do I remove the power steering pump?

1. Remove the negative battery cable.
2. Place a suitable container/catch pan under the vehicle.
3. Loosen the adjusting bolt.
4. Break loose the mounting bolts and nuts.
5. Remove the power steering belt.
6. Cover the A/C compressor with shop rags to prevent any fluid from spilling onto it.
Spilling power steering fluid into the alternator assembly can damage the unit.
7. Detach the pumps inlet and outlet hoses and plug them.
Power steering fluid will destroy your vehicles paint. Use caution and clean up all spills immediately.
8. Remove the power steering pumps mounting bolts.
9. Pull the pump from the vehicle.
10. Cover the open ends of the pump, with tape, to prevent foreign materials from entering the openings.

Why don't they use apostrophes?

Dealing with the power steering fluid sounds a bit intimidating and since I have been reading threads like Power steering delete - EcoModder, why not do that at the same time?

I can pick up a used manual rack in Phoenix for $75.
I read about using the Toyota MR2 pump, but the cheapest used one in the country is $210.06, and it would require many other parts.

Neither of those seem cost-effective.

[j12piprius]

I did the quick and easy power steering delete and am very glad that I did.

The car drives much more easily now than it did.

[cbaber]

I've replaced an alternator without removing the PS pump. You need to remove the belt maybe, but not the whole pump.

If you are interested in removing PS to increase fuel economy you can do what johnlvs2run posted above, or do what I did:

Remove PS belt. Jack up the car, get an oil pan and put it underneath. Disconnect one of the PS lines let the fluid drain out. Not all fluid will come out, so you will need to sit in the car, turning the wheels side to side (fluid will spray out with steering pressure). Repeat until you no longer see fluid coming out.

Then simply reconnect the line and you are done. The power rack does not need fluid to "lubricate" it or anything, and removing the fluid makes steering much easier, similar to a manual rack. The power rack has a better steering ratio (less turns to tun the wheels) which is another benefit of just leaving it in the car.

This way everything is still in the car so if you ever decide to sell it or add PS back it's as simple as adding fluid and putting on the belt. That's the primary reason I did it this way, because I will sell the car one day and I don't feel like the effort removing the pump permanently has enough benefit.

I've driven my HX like this for thousands of miles without an issue. < 5 mph you can tell the difference, but other than that it's great. After a couple weeks you will wonder why these cars ever had PS.

[j12piprius]

Originally Posted by cbaber

Remove PS belt. Jack up the car, get an oil pan and put it underneath. Disconnect one of the PS lines let the fluid drain out. Not all fluid will come out, so you will need to sit in the car, turning the wheels side to side (fluid will spray out with steering pressure). Repeat until you no longer see fluid coming out.

Then simply reconnect the line and you are done.

Cbaber, where did you remove the line, from under the car or above?

[Xist]

So, do this?



Or just remove the belt and fluid?

[j12piprius]

I removed the canister, fluid, pump, belt, and connected the lines as shown in the quick & easy thread.

[cbaber]

Originally Posted by johnlvs2run

Cbaber, where did you remove the line, from under the car or above?

If I remember correctly I think it was one of the lines above. Either I didn't have access, or I couldn't get the lines off on the lower ones easily. I had to rotate the steering wheel side to side for a couple minutes to force as much fluid out as possible.

[Xist]

Originally Posted by johnlvs2run

I removed the canister, fluid, pump, belt, and connected the lines as shown in the quick & easy thread.

That was quick and easy? NoD! Come here and confuse me!

[vskid3]

I just removed the PS belt when I had my DX. Probably a little harder to steer than looping the lines, but it was easy to remove and replace when I sold it.

[Xist]

Once you drain the fluid, is it as simple as connecting the hose where you want it? Are all of the outlets the same size and type?