What to Do for a Power Steering Pump Seal Replacement

Over the course of any vehicle lifetime, most probably it will be deemed necessary to rebuild or repair the power steering pump due to leakage. The pump is made of strong hardened material and the main culprits would be worn out gaskets or the seals. The main symptoms of a leaking power steering pump is growling sound emanating from under the vehicle’s hood when turning the wheel or spilled power fluid under the car after you have parked it. In this article we are going to cover procedures involved when performing a worn out pump seal replacement.

Park in a Safe and Spacious Place

Prior to any work, ensure you locate a safe area to work in as power steering pump seal replacement is tedious on its own and you don’t want to work in a squeezed space. A garage is a great idea but if you locate a flat, stable and dry ground it will still work. Jack the front of the car. Jack stands provide good stability or you can drive the car up the ramp if there is one around. Ensure to lock the wheels as you don’t want them moving sideways during the procedure. Locate the power pump which is at the bottom of the engine’s bay. Give it a quick examine to determine whether the leakage is as a result of worn out seal.

Remove the Pump

When performing a power steering pump seal replacement, you will be required to remove the pump from the whole engine setting then the pulley. This will make working on the pump easier as your hands will move freely. Secure the pump on a vice and drive a thin flat blade screwdriver between the shaft and the seal. Remove all the dirt and using the pump’s body as a leverage, pry the worn out seal. Care should be taken so as not to damage the pump housing.

Replace the New Seals

The power steering seal kit comes with a set of seals which are used when power steering pump replacement is deemed necessary. Clean the shaft where the seals are to be set. Determine if the shaft has dents or scratches by giving it a closer look. Apply power steering fluid on the seals and slide it over the shaft to the pump housing. Using a hammer tap the seal gently to give it a firm grip to the housing. Ensure you do not damage the seal.

Place the Plastic Reservoir into Place

When finishing on power steering pump seal replacement you will have to secure the the reservoir to its place. This procedure requires much attention because a slight mistake can damage the cover. There is a seal here too. Apply power steering fluid and slide it into place. The seal at the back of the pump rarely leaks as it is not subjected to pressure during driving hence no need to tamper with it. Retainers are used to hold this pump into position.

Secure the Pump to its Original Place

After ensuring the seals are tight and there is no evidence of leakage, secure the pump to its original position. Use screwdriver to give it a firm hold. Ensure the pulley and power connection are as supposed to be. This will mark an end to the indoor power steering pump seal replacement. Take the vehicle to a road test and listen for any whines or growling sounds coming from the engine.

Final Verdict

These procedures are simple and you can actually change the seals by yourself. Ensure you have a well-equipped toolbox. If you find that the pump is damaged and not the seals, replacing it will be advisable as it comes as a unit. Trying to repair a severely damaged pump is expensive and will not give you the desired results.

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