Power steering bracket removal?

WEMERTZ

MEMBER
1996 CHEVROLET ASTRO
6 CYL
4WD
AUTOMATIC
180,000 MILES

I am in the process of removing the power steering pump. I have removed the pulley, fan, belts, and the three mounting bolts on the front of the bracket holding the pump. The pump does not come off. There appears to be at least one bolt holding the pump on in the back. This bolt is not reachable. The manual says some models require the bracket and pump to be removed as a unit. The manual does not show or tell how this is done. What I need is a drawing showing the bracket and which bolts to take off, etc.

Thanks

1 Reply

MERLIN2021

MECHANIC
17,250 POSTS

To remove the power steering pump, you typically need to detach the pump from its mounting bracket. Here are the steps to remove the power steering pump:

Ensure the vehicle is safely raised and supported, and the engine is turned off.

Locate the power steering pump and its mounting bracket. The bracket is usually attached to the engine block.

Remove any components that obstruct access to the power steering pump, such as belts, pulleys, and fans.

Locate and remove the mounting bolts that secure the power steering pump to the bracket. These bolts are usually visible from the front of the bracket. In your case, you have already removed the three mounting bolts from the front of the bracket.

Inspect the back of the power steering pump for any additional mounting bolts that may be hidden or not easily accessible. Sometimes, there may be a hidden bolt securing the pump to the bracket from the backside.

If there is a hidden or hard-to-reach bolt, you may need to remove the entire bracket and pump as a unit. This requires disconnecting any hoses, lines, or electrical connectors connected to the pump and then removing the bracket from the engine block. Once the bracket is removed, you can access and remove the hidden bolt(s) securing the pump.

Once all mounting bolts are removed, carefully pull the power steering pump away from the bracket. It may require some wiggling or gentle prying to free it completely.