...seems like you found your problem. 
Power steering pump pulley wobble?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 173
Likes: 0
From: Mustang Oklahoma
Power steering pump pulley wobble?
After I got the car put back together from the water pump/opti work, I was letting it idle in the garage to get up to temperature. While doing that, I was looking things over to make sure nothing was goofy. In doing so, I noticed that the pulley on the power steering pump had a small wobble to it through it's rotation. I'm not sure if it was like that prior to me taking the front apart or not.
I did unbolt the power steering pump from it's bracket, and I did hold the pulley a few times to pull it out of the way while I was working on the car, but I didn't smack it with a hammer or anything crazy.
Since it is pressed on, I find it hard to believe that my little bit of pulling lifted it from it's seat. If it didn't, then does that mean that I have a problem with the power steering pump itself? I'm not even sure how to narrow the problem down to one or the other.
I did unbolt the power steering pump from it's bracket, and I did hold the pulley a few times to pull it out of the way while I was working on the car, but I didn't smack it with a hammer or anything crazy.
Since it is pressed on, I find it hard to believe that my little bit of pulling lifted it from it's seat. If it didn't, then does that mean that I have a problem with the power steering pump itself? I'm not even sure how to narrow the problem down to one or the other.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 7,625
Likes: 4
From: Director of Bands
St. Jude Donor '08
Is there any dirt or grime on the pulley? Sometimes, as a pulley moves through its rotation with dirt or grime it can "appear" to wobble, even though it is just an illusion due to something on the pulley. I don't think that I explained this very well, but the next time you are driving behind someone with muddy tires, watch the rotation: they appear to wobble, even though it's just the mud.
Maybe you smeared an oily hand on the pulley while you were working on it?
Just a thought...
Maybe you smeared an oily hand on the pulley while you were working on it?
Just a thought...
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 1,978
Likes: 2
From: San Antonio Texas
As I recently found out, they'll bend pretty easy. Tweeked mine taking it off. If yours is bent, a new one was $40 from Chev dealer. Took 4-5 days from Mich. to Tx. My new pump(A-Zone) came with an installation tool(bolt, nut, and washer) that should be used.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 173
Likes: 0
From: Mustang Oklahoma
You replaced both? I'm assuming the pulley was $40 and then the pump you got separately from AutoZone? I need to check mine further today. If I did bend something, I wonder if I can do just the pulley, or if the shaft on the PS pump is tweaked? Hmm. Suggestions?
Last edited by Gixster; Jan 3, 2007 at 08:50 AM.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 173
Likes: 0
From: Mustang Oklahoma
Ok, I was able to evaluate the situation further tonight. The shaft is spinning straight and true, so that's not a problem.
On the outer edge of the pulley though, it has a definite wobble that I can see and feel.
I did call the dealer today and the pulley has been discontinued, but they found one in a warehouse that I'm going to call and order tomorrow, and plan on installation this weekend. I'll have to yank the upper radiator hose again for sure, but does anybody know if I'll be able to remove and replace the pulley without removing the pump?
On the outer edge of the pulley though, it has a definite wobble that I can see and feel.
I did call the dealer today and the pulley has been discontinued, but they found one in a warehouse that I'm going to call and order tomorrow, and plan on installation this weekend. I'll have to yank the upper radiator hose again for sure, but does anybody know if I'll be able to remove and replace the pulley without removing the pump?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 2,510
Likes: 4
From: Austin Texas
i just checked the tool, it is "GM Power Steering Pump Pulley Remover/Installer" made by Performance Tool, P/N W87022.
and I ended up having to cut off a small portion of both the install and removal tool.....i just hack-sawed it....this was on a '95 LT1
Last edited by MikeC4; Jan 3, 2007 at 07:51 PM.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 173
Likes: 0
From: Mustang Oklahoma
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 3,178
Likes: 5
From: Daleville Indiana
St. Jude Donor '08
Ok, I was able to evaluate the situation further tonight. The shaft is spinning straight and true, so that's not a problem.
On the outer edge of the pulley though, it has a definite wobble that I can see and feel.
I did call the dealer today and the pulley has been discontinued, but they found one in a warehouse that I'm going to call and order tomorrow, and plan on installation this weekend. I'll have to yank the upper radiator hose again for sure, but does anybody know if I'll be able to remove and replace the pulley without removing the pump?
On the outer edge of the pulley though, it has a definite wobble that I can see and feel.
I did call the dealer today and the pulley has been discontinued, but they found one in a warehouse that I'm going to call and order tomorrow, and plan on installation this weekend. I'll have to yank the upper radiator hose again for sure, but does anybody know if I'll be able to remove and replace the pulley without removing the pump?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 173
Likes: 0
From: Mustang Oklahoma
I think I'm going to go ahead and replace the pulley anyway, just because it will bug me to know that something is tweaked, and also because it's discontinued and I *can* get one right now that's left in one of the GM warehouses.
Now to go find that puller!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 2,510
Likes: 4
From: Austin Texas
I checked mine this morning, and it appears to be doing the same thing. Give it a little gas and it straightens up.
I think I'm going to go ahead and replace the pulley anyway, just because it will bug me to know that something is tweaked, and also because it's discontinued and I *can* get one right now that's left in one of the GM warehouses.
Now to go find that puller!
I think I'm going to go ahead and replace the pulley anyway, just because it will bug me to know that something is tweaked, and also because it's discontinued and I *can* get one right now that's left in one of the GM warehouses.
Now to go find that puller!
