Mike Strawbridge

How to change the power steering pump on a Jeep Cherokee

Begin by removing the air cleaner box. There are three bolts in the bottom that are access by removing the filter. Be careful when separating the various air line form the box.

Begin by breaking loose the high pressure line. This is a 5/8” hex on most Jeeps.

Remove the low pressure return line as well.

Loosen the jam nut on the belt adjuster under the pump and loosen the drive belt.

Next remove the three bolts on the back of the power steering pump.

Remove the pivot bolt on the front of the pump.

Remove the bracket and pump as an assembly.

Use a pulley removal tool to remove the plastic pulley from the pump. Most Auto parts stores have these as loaners for this job.

Put the two halves of the puller together over the groove in the pulley and the tool. Slide the sleeve over the two halves. Turn the bolt to press off the pulley.

Now remove the bolts that hold the pump to the bracket.

Bolt the new pump to the bracket.

Press the old pulley onto the new pump using the press in the kit.

Thread the stud into the treads in the pump shaft. Place the pressing washer over the stud. Turn the nut to press the pulley into place.

Mount the bracket back on the engine and reconnect the lines.

Adjust the belt tension

Replace the air box and filter

Reconnect the air lines

Fill the reservoir with new fluid but do not start the engine.

Note, if the old fluid looked contaminated, milky or black; you may want to flush the system before continuing. Follow the instruction in the pump kit.

Turn the wheel from lock to lock

Check the fluid level and top up if needed.

Start the engine and again rotate the wheel from lock to lock slowly.

Check the fluid level again and refill as needed.

Check for leaks and correct any you find.

Replace the cap.

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Tags: jeep repair, power steering

This entry was posted on Friday, July 2nd, 2010 at 1:51 PM and is filed under Jeep, Uncategorized. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.