power steering

[billyo69]

My power steering was making noise.So i added fluid and it started acting real wierd and then the power steering stopped working . Any ideas? If its the pump it looks like a real pain the asss to change .Does anyone have any input? 2001 3.8 ls

[Gems]

I had the same trouble in my '01 LS with the 3.8L engine... Pump was making horrible noise and getting worse and worse... Fortunately for me I have the GM Major Guard protection plan on the car and the pump was replaced for free... Since then no problems...

[BNaylor]

It is a PITA to replace billy069 but can be done DIY.

Here's the general power steering pump R&R procedure for GM cars equipped with a Series II 3800 engine to include getting air out of the system. Probably not perfect but better than nothing.


Make sure engine is cold. Disconnect battery negative cable. You'll need a droplight to see what you're doing.

Remove strut tower cross brace, if installed.

Remove the coolant reservoir if you have a GM "W" body car with one mounted on the passenger side strut tower.

Remove the serpentine drive belt by loosening belt tensioner.

At this point, it is recommend jacking up the passenger side of the car and removing the tire. Support with a jackstand. Remove the plastic splash guard, if in the way. This will make getting to the pressure and return lines easier.

Remove the 2 power steering pump mounting bolts. Size = 15mm. The bolts holding the PS pump are in the 12 o’clock and 6 o’clock positions. You'll need to move the PS pulley and line up the large access hole in the PS pump pulley with the bolts. Once lined up, using a deep well socket remove them.

Remove pressure and return lines from PS pump. The pressure line is on the bottom of the pump itself and has a metal fitting. The return line is attached to the reservoir and is just a piece of tubing with a hose clamp on it. Remove pump. The pump will start leaking fluid all over the place once the lines are disconnected. Try to tie the two lines up, if possible, so that they don't fall over and start pouring out fluid.

The new pump may or may not come with a pulley and reservoir. If not you will have to transfer them from the old pump to the new one. The replacement should come with directions on how to do this but you will probably need a gear/pulley puller to get the pulley off the old pump.

Install new PS pump. Attach the pressure and return lines to the new pump. Re-mount PS pump by replacing the 2 bolts and tightening (20 ft-lbs).

Re-install plastic splash guard. Re-install tire and drop back to ground level.

Re-install the serpentine belt. This may be a good time to install a new belt.

Re-install coolant reservoir, if applicable.

Re-install strut tower cross brace.

Make sure everything is tight and properly torqued.

Re-connect battery negative cable.

Refill with quality power steering fluid and perform air bleeding procedure (rack n pinion system):

NOTE: To relieve steering tension when engine is off, you can raise and support the vehicle with front wheels off the ground. Use good quality power steering fluid. A small funnel with a long hose attached should be used to add fluid.

With ignition off and in steering unlock position, turn wheel to the left. Now add power steering fluid to the FULL COLD mark on the dipstick. Leave the cap off. Turns wheels side to side several times without hitting the steering stops. Check fluid level again and add to maintain level at FULL COLD mark.

Start the engine and let idle for approximately 5 minutes. Turn the wheels all the way to the left and right several times without hitting the stops. Turn off engine and check the fluid level again. Make sure that it is at or near the FULL HOT line. Replace cap.

Road test car and then check for leaks. Also you can re-check fluid level again just to verify.

[billyo69]

Thanx bnaylor

I did it today with the help of a 65 yr old brazilian mechanic who is pretty smart.I wish i had your instructions before as they would have been helpful.It was a pain in the asss.We did it pretty much as you described and the new pump didnt have the res or pulley on it.It went ok and was a messy job.The only thing we may have done wrong was the bleeding method as i seem to have had some pump noise for a short time after and it turned hard to the right once and then seemed fine.It was dark after i drove it home i will check for leaks and re check the level tomorrow.I did buy the gm PS fluid (expensive). Thanks again.