Repalce Variable power steering pump

[phaderus]

The factory pump list at $417. Can't find any local that have the EVO componets. I know this might sound foolish, but is it possible to use the EVO from the old ssteering pump? And if it is, how do you get if off? Has anyone here had this problem before?

Thanks!

[xeroinfinity]

what do you mean EVO? You mean Variable assist steering Actuator that plug in on the pump?
Is the PS working at all? Or is it just making lots of noise?

If the pump is bad, thats all you need, new or used.

A few tools needed to replace the powersteering pump, need a ps puly removal tool and a ps pully installer.

To get to the bolts behind the pump you'll need a swivle to reach through the pully and get to the bolt.
Bleeding the system is tricky when you are done.

My 99s pump was noisy and wasnt working to good, replaced the PS hoses(not cheap) and the filter and used sythetic PS fluid and the whine is gone and it works fine.

[phaderus]

No the Reservoir intake lead was broke and I was losing fluid. Mine does have the variable steering which makes everything for it more expensive. Instead of 14 dollars for the hose mine is over 50. I got the pump off and the pulley; just need to take off the EVO componets to tranfer to a new power steering pump or buy a power steering pump with EVO componets for about $100 more, which has to be ordered. Having a hard time getting the EVO componets off there is an area to attach a wrench but I can't get it to move.

[xeroinfinity]

Dont know why they make cheap ass plastic pumps...
YA, the hoses on my 99 were over 250$ for both(dealer part), and about 4hrs to put on. No damn room!!

Dont beleive the EVO comes off the pump, you'll prob hav to buy a new pump or call every salvage yard around for one.
OR did the other pump you hav come without the EVO?

I hav never had to mess with the evo, just the lines. replaced a few pumps but they all came with all the parts intact.
Might try http://cherry-auto.com/ they might hav a used one around close to you for a better price than Dealer new(or used).

[richtazz]

The EVO does come off, GM part number 26071766, and should unscrew from the housing. They can be a pain to get out.

[xeroinfinity]

Rich, I did not know that came off.. I will hav to go and check it out FMS , Thanks!

[phaderus]

Removed the evo compnets from the old, put in the new pump, bleed it, fluid is coming from return line, the pump is not squealing but their is no power steering. The wheel are a pain in the ass to move. I know it's possible that I replaced a bad pump with another bad pump. Might replace all the lines tommorrow and the filter, I just hate to replace parts when I am not 100% sure that is the problem. Any comments on a testing structure would be appreciated. Thanks!

[xeroinfinity]

you sure the fluid level is accually full? You may not be full enough and the fluid is foaming up and not pumping. If air is in the line(s) the fluid probley wont flow correctly.

Was the squeeling why you thought the old pump was bad? Chances are if that was the case the old one might not be bad, or the newr one you installed. The lines ciould be pluged or the filters pluged. When I replaced mine their was a lot of black crap packed in. And my pump squeeled very badly. I also used sythetic fluid when I replaced everything.

May try flushing things out if you dont want to replace the filter and lines just yet. It is a PITA!
I just used a syphon container(big one) to remove all the old fluid, then put in some new, kept starting and stoping the engine though, and then syphoning out again. Think I did that 4-5 times(several new bottles of sythetic fluid)and the squells gone, no probs since.

You really need a lift to get to everything good, but ramps would surly help more than just a jack and Stands.

[phaderus]

The old one was squealing and the steering was very rough. I did use the old EVO componets. I wonder if that EVO was bad? I wonder if the wire to the EVO componets is bad and there is no current? I also wonder if the actual steering assembly is bad? Which is really expensive to replace. Just trying to think of what all could be worng and how to systematically eliminate all possible cuase of failure. Thanks!

[xeroinfinity]

What year is you GA?
Ya i'd bet your pumps are fine, one of the wires could be shorting out on the EVO. You could test the wires for power, but I dont know right off what the readings should be. You could see if unpluging it makes it harder to turn...

But I'd try flushing the system with new fluid, you'll need some way to vacum out the old stuff(or remove the return line, pump fluid into some container), but its worth a try.
And when you fill it back up, only let it run for short periods of time to prevent the fluid from foaming up on ya. It'll be really stiff till the fluids clear on air and flowing.

You would hav to run the pump dry and drive the car for a while to screw up those punions. Getting sand or dirt into the resivour wouldnt probley mess it up either because of the filter donw there.

[phaderus]

It's a 99. I took of the return line off and put it in a bucket and poured in fluid while I filled a bucket until it ran clear. Maybe I did it wrong-first time I did this Until my little brother died and left me this car I had never done anything with a car.Can turn the wheels with the steering wheel if the car is on stands. Will probally replace the hoses this week and the filter regardless.Have had the car less than 10 minutes and have replace the blower resistor, the transmission, and of course the LIM gasket.

[xeroinfinity]

Sounds like a plan! Hopefully this will cure the problems with it. Accessibility is terably bad on newr cars, good luck.

And from teh sound of it your car should be ready to go, since you hav areaady hit most of the things that can go wrong. welcome to grand am's

[phaderus]

Xeroinfinety, were you albe to remove your hose with out removing or droping the cross member? I could not get a wrench on the pressure return with enought room to turn it. Did buy a crowfoot and might use the that with an extension bar and maybe swizel to get to it. I am not sure that will work though. thanks for all your previous help.

[xeroinfinity]

No I did not remove anything to get to them. I was using line wrenches and it was on a lift, so I could get more leverage. I might hav got it from the top..... dont remember, but it is possible. I hav a good long reach though.

The crows foot may also work, if you need more leverage try a small pipe on the wrench or ratchet

[skibum1111]

When I changed my pressure hose I reached in through the driver's side where the tie rod goes. You can see it, reach it, touch it but not see it as your arm is in the way. Be careful when you put the new hose on, its really easy to wreck the threads. And if you have to replace the rack, good luck as its a real bitch. I actually paid someone to do mine, took them 6 hours of very foul language, and I hate paying someone to work on my car.