Power Steering Pump Removal

I am trying to replace the Power Steering Pump (PSP) on my 2000 Safari which is AWD. I have really no idea how to get this PSP out. The chiltons manual I have is totally useless in providing much help.

I have so far removed the pulley - the shaft was broken so I just pulled it out since I was having such a difficult time removing the pulley - yes it is messy with all the fluid leaking out.

I then removed the three mounting bolts on the front of PSP (looking from the front of the van).

This is where I am now stuck. I think there may be another mounting bolt on the back of the PSP but I don't know where since I can't see nor feel what is on the back of the PSP. I found one nut (15mm) I could remove but it didn't seem to help the situation - it seemed to be directly behind the mounting bolt found on the right hand side of the pump as you look at it from the front of the van. There appears to be at least 2 hoses that will need to be removed as well.

Can anyone explain what I need to do to remove the PSP from the point I am now at? If you know of any diagrams, photos, etc that can show what I should do next please let me know. Any suggestions on the best way to access the bolts etc would be helpful - I can't believe how they've been able to cram the PSP in where it is.

Thanks so much,
John

I share your frustration. The first pump I changed on my 2000 Astro I removed the whole accessory bracket that holds the A/C on top and the steer pump on the bottom. Second time a few years later when reassembling with the new pump I noticed that the rear pump bolt attaches to an "L" shaped bracket to the block. BINGO! remove the front bolts then remove the one bolt that attaches to the block. Then you can swing the pump/rear bracket out and remove the bracket from the pump.

if you cant figure out what he's telling you go to autozone.com and it will show you location and if not click on diagram.

I really hope he's figured it out by now, it's been almost 3 years ;) Probably about ready to replace it again!

Actually, the aftermarket replacement pumps used a woodruff key for the rotor drive instead of a drilled/pinned arrangement like the factory. It's much stronger.

But yes, this is one old thread...

SO, how did you know the shaft was broken? Mine started acting dead this week. I really do not want to replace the pump. (To be more informative, it only acts 'dead' when at a dead stop. Going down the road, it acts fine, but when I stop to make a turn, we have issues. Is my pump gone for good, or can it be rebuilt, in some fashion, or am I off base in suspecting the PSP at all?)

Any help is appreciated, as always!!!!!!!!

The common failure mode is a snapped shaft where the pump rotor is pinned to the shaft. This allows the shaft to move inward and outward (it normally should not).

If the shaft were to have broken, would it result in a 'sometime' situation? I can go down the road at speed, steer fine, and brake fine, but once stopped, it's the devil to turn because of no power assist. That's my problem.

If the shaft were to have broken, would it result in a 'sometime' situation? I can go down the road at speed, steer fine, and brake fine, but once stopped, it's the devil to turn because of no power assist. That's my problem.

Once the steering pump shaft snaps (like mine did) there is no steering assist and no brake assist. It sounds more like the pump in yours is not making correct pressure or flow, or the fluid is low, or something in the steering or brake booster is blowing by, bleeding off pressure. Either that or the belt or sheave is slipping.