power steering pump

[Low87]

The PS pump on my Jimmy is worse than my 2 month old.  Put formula in and it spits it right back up.  Seriously, this will keep the PS fluid in for a matter of minutes, then drip it all out and make for noisy turns everywhere.  Should I just replace the whole thing, or is there a common defect that's an easier fix?  I can't immediately tell where the leak is.

[Captkaos]

Can you clean it up and find where the leak is coming from?

[Low87]

Thought about it.  Just some degreaser and a pressure washer.  I'll try that tonight.

[muddpuppy01]

mine did the same thing I changed mine out ended up finding a 3" gash on the back of the reservoir. The previous owner of my truck really scares me by the way this truck was maintained. The belt was to small and bolts were not tight due to not being able to get to them due to the size of the belt. that is how mine got a hole in the back.

[Low87]

Can you clean it up and find where the leak is coming from?

Hit it heavy with degreaser and the car wash last night.  Let it dry overnight, filled it this morning, it appears to be leaking from the lower front of the reservoir.  Looks like there might be a plug there, based on pictures from parts houses. 

[Captkaos]

There shouldn't be a "plug" on the front of the pump, could it be leaking from the pump to reservoir seal?

[Low87]

There shouldn't be a "plug" on the front of the pump, could it be leaking from the pump to reservoir seal?

My bad, I was looking at a photo of the back.  Some sites show it plugged, some show it with a wire plug-in.
Here's the area I'm seeing the fluid.  Could be from the shaft, I can't see that part.

[Captkaos]

If it is coming down from the shaft, your seal is bad.  Just replace the pump.

[Low87]

Thanks Chris.  Is there anything special to attaching the pulley to the pump?  I saw somewhere they had a special tool for it.  Hoping it's just a gimmick.

[Captkaos]

You can rent the tool at most parts stores.  It is special to remove it.

[bigchevyc30]

theres no real tool you need to remove it we used the pressure of the belt to hold the pully still and got a socket and tooke the nut of and the pully just slides right off

[muddpuppy01]

there is a puller for it most auto part stores should have it for rent. The bolt to put the pulley on comes with the pump.

[DrDaryl]

I too was unsure about that hole you've got circled so I just plugged it.  Mine did require a power steering pulley puller and was easy, also prevented the temptation to use a hammer on it (possibly damaging the seal). There was also a device to reinstall the pulley.

[Low87]

Got the PS pump changed out this past Saturday.  Not a bad job, but definitely requires the pulley puller.  Me and a buudy had it done in two hours, but that includes a pizza break and doing it twice since we didn't notice that we'd forgotten the three front bolts until after everything was buttoned back up.

Thanks for the help guys.