I really think my power steering pump is going south! Is it difficult to replace? Anything I need to be aware of?

 

Yes, there is a tool that you will need to buy / rent. I chose to purchase it, but your call. Let me explain. First remove the alternator and it's bracket from the front of the block on the drivers side. A great chance to clean both and re-paint the bracket. I took off the fan as well and re-did that, but that's another story. Then, from under the car (I assume you have already raised and jack-stand / supported the front end) put a pan under the unit. Time to evaluate the hoses (there are 4) for replacement as well. Take off the 2 going to the PS pump. One is held on by a hose clamp, the other by a retaining nut. Both come off really easily. Le the PS drain. THen there are 2 more bolts that need to be removed. Go back up top and extract the PS unit. Be careful not to get the fluid on any painted surface.

Here is where the special tool comes in. Most replacement units do not come with the belt pulley so you need to remove yours, clean it, re-paint if needed, and press on to the new PS. There is a tool for this that does both jobs. Do NOT use a standard gear puller and attempt to pull from the outside of the pulley. It will dimple the pulley and make it un-usable. Check on line / at a local NAPA, etc. The tool is about $18 and is very self explanatory on it's pulling use. It clamps via a collar, around the hub of the pulley and, with a little help from an air wrench, walks the pulley right off the old shaft. My *new* PS unit came with a long bolt and fat washer to press the new one on. Your new tool also comes with that. Reassembly is straight forward. I replaced the 4 hoses as well. Once you get it all back together and filled with PS fluid, turn it by hand without the belt a few dozen times to get fluid back into the piston and all hoses. Sort of priming the pump. Then attach the belt. My wheels were in the air so I started the car and slowly turned them lock-to-lock several times. Job done.

Total time, including my OCD to repaint EVERYTHING in sight, 2 hours. That was including the hoses which were straight forward as well. I bought a re-manufactured PS unit from Advanced for $45 + core. I resisted the temptation for the $120 unit from all the Corvette parts folks. I painted mine silver instead of the black. I am somewhat crazy in that when I take off an old part, I need to take all brackets off, clean the block and the brackets. Repaint them and put them back.

Example of fan and general engine. You can see the repaint of the fan components which was a side job when I did my PS unit. Also alt bracket repaint. You can just see the new PS unit nestled down below the alternator.

 

THANKS! You have a good looking engine!!

 

Good info. One more note. Autozone rents the tool (actually you buy it and then get the money refunded when you return it). So, you can save money not buying a tool that you will use maybe once.

 

Thanks for the good words on my OCD recipient! I will loan you the tool as well. But I am a person that usually buys the specialty tool as one of my auto-geek friends will inevitably need it as well.