Removing power steering pump pulley?
Thread Starter
Banned Scam/Spammer
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 15,685
Likes: 1,330
From: Machineguns, because I don’t compromise
Removing power steering pump pulley?
I ahve the entire alternator braket with power steering pump attached.
Being plastic, will the pulley most likely break off if I try to remove it?
The reason I'm asking, is because instead of spending $30 on a puller, I can just buy a new pulley and break the old one off with a hammer.
So... should I buy a puller or a new pulley?
Being plastic, will the pulley most likely break off if I try to remove it?
The reason I'm asking, is because instead of spending $30 on a puller, I can just buy a new pulley and break the old one off with a hammer.
So... should I buy a puller or a new pulley?
Thread Starter
Banned Scam/Spammer
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 15,685
Likes: 1,330
From: Machineguns, because I don’t compromise
^ Yeah I thought about renting a puller... and then I've decided that I'm wanting to buy a billit aluminum pulley anyway since the bracket and pump are going to be polished. Rather not have a plastic piece on there other than it's light weight.
Breaking it without other damage shouldn't be too hard since it's on the ground where I can put a hammer/chisel at any point.
I guess I've already made up my mind...
Thanks though.
Breaking it without other damage shouldn't be too hard since it's on the ground where I can put a hammer/chisel at any point.
I guess I've already made up my mind...
Thanks though.
Thread Starter
Banned Scam/Spammer
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 15,685
Likes: 1,330
From: Machineguns, because I don’t compromise
Just found this on the Zip website.
A common failure on many C5 Corvettes with even slight modifications is the power steering pulley. The stock, plastic pulleys were not designed to withstand the added horsepower and rpms, which many Corvettes are exposed to after several modifications. This on top of the fact that some of the OEM plastic pulleys are now 12 years old could leave you with a weak point under your Corvette’s hood.
Corvette Power Steering Pulley
Zip Corvette’s very own Billet Power Steering Pulley replaces the stock pulley with a much more dependable, better looking part. Machined from 6061-T6 Billet Aluminum, this 10 spoke highly polished pulley will add brilliance to the front of your Corvette’s Engine. With the addition of this pulley you will be able to add the performance modifications of your choice, without the result of a broken power steering pulley. Exclusive to Zip Corvette, this pulley is manufactured in the United States and will install on C5 & C6 Corvettes.
Another excellent Corvette Part at a low price, exclusively from Zip Corvette.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 16,477
Likes: 26
From: Gone
CI 6-7-8-9-10 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '03
The plastic pulley is attached to a steel hub, and that is what's pressed onto the shaft.
You can smash the plastic off with a hammer, but you will still need a puller to get the hub off the pump shaft.
You'll figure this out soon enough...
You can smash the plastic off with a hammer, but you will still need a puller to get the hub off the pump shaft.
You'll figure this out soon enough...
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 16,477
Likes: 26
From: Gone
CI 6-7-8-9-10 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '03
I already had an aluminum pulley ready to replace it. So I went about it the easiest way possible.
If spending $100+ on a factory GM tool to salvage a $15 part I'll never use again is the smart thing to do, then I'm glad I did it wrong.
Last edited by Y2Kvert4me; Dec 3, 2009 at 05:21 PM.
Thread Starter
Banned Scam/Spammer
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 15,685
Likes: 1,330
From: Machineguns, because I don’t compromise
^ Thanks for the tip... so I'd need something closer to a windshield wiper puller to get the little piece off...
Any tips for installing the replacement?
I guess just sand the shaft a bit with fine sandpaper and maybe use the wood end of a hammer against the center of the new pulley, then hit the hammer gently with another hammer?
Any tips for installing the replacement?
I guess just sand the shaft a bit with fine sandpaper and maybe use the wood end of a hammer against the center of the new pulley, then hit the hammer gently with another hammer?
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
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
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 16,477
Likes: 26
From: Gone
CI 6-7-8-9-10 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '03
^ Thanks for the tip... so I'd need something closer to a windshield wiper puller to get the little piece off...
Any tips for installing the replacement?
I guess just sand the shaft a bit with fine sandpaper and maybe use the wood end of a hammer against the center of the new pulley, then hit the hammer gently with another hammer?
Any tips for installing the replacement?
I guess just sand the shaft a bit with fine sandpaper and maybe use the wood end of a hammer against the center of the new pulley, then hit the hammer gently with another hammer?
I have the 5 spoke aluminum Synister pulley (no longer made), and drawing it on proved to be a VERY tight press fit. I ended up heating the pulley in the oven to about 250° ( or whatever the lowest setting is) to get it to go on.
I cannot comment on that Zip pulley, but if it seems to fit TOO tightly like mine did (to the point you're afraid of stripping out the tool's threads), then heat the pulley up a little before trying to install it, it makes a world of difference.
Advanced
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 53
Likes: 0
From: Auto Tech
How many of these have you successfully changed without breaking? Just curious.
I already had an aluminum pulley ready to replace it. So I went about it the easiest way possible.
If spending $100+ on a factory GM tool to salvage a $15 part I'll never use again is the smart thing to do, then I'm glad I did it wrong.
I already had an aluminum pulley ready to replace it. So I went about it the easiest way possible.
If spending $100+ on a factory GM tool to salvage a $15 part I'll never use again is the smart thing to do, then I'm glad I did it wrong.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 6,276
Likes: 227
From: Farmington CT
Cruise-In VII Veteran
tool from Autozone works great, you need an installer also
Tom is on point for this topic, nice collar you will need to pull to finish the job
that pump is an a$$ pain to swap, I've only done this a few times while the motor/ebcm is in the car
http://www.autozone.com/autozone/cat...+Pulley+Puller
Josh, put the beer down for this job
Tom is on point for this topic, nice collar you will need to pull to finish the job
that pump is an a$$ pain to swap, I've only done this a few times while the motor/ebcm is in the car
http://www.autozone.com/autozone/cat...+Pulley+Puller
Josh, put the beer down for this job
Last edited by SteveDoten; Dec 4, 2009 at 10:26 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 6,993
Likes: 25
How many of these have you successfully changed without breaking? Just curious.
I already had an aluminum pulley ready to replace it. So I went about it the easiest way possible.
If spending $100+ on a factory GM tool to salvage a $15 part I'll never use again is the smart thing to do, then I'm glad I did it wrong.
I already had an aluminum pulley ready to replace it. So I went about it the easiest way possible.
If spending $100+ on a factory GM tool to salvage a $15 part I'll never use again is the smart thing to do, then I'm glad I did it wrong.
You can use a puller for many other jobs so GO BUY SOME TOOLS other than a HAMMER 
Thread Starter
Banned Scam/Spammer
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 15,685
Likes: 1,330
From: Machineguns, because I don’t compromise
Thanks Steve.
I went ahead and broke the pulley with a hammer since all I wanted was to get at the bolts so I could seperate the pump from the bracket.
It will take time to polish, and the entire engine isn't going back together for another few months... I'll buy the billet pulley and the installer when I'm ready.
Thanks again everyone.
I went ahead and broke the pulley with a hammer since all I wanted was to get at the bolts so I could seperate the pump from the bracket.
It will take time to polish, and the entire engine isn't going back together for another few months... I'll buy the billet pulley and the installer when I'm ready.
Thanks again everyone.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 10,962
Likes: 29
From: Van Buren Arkansas
Wounded Warrior Escort '11
Yeah, I broke mine trying to pull it off with the puller. The metal part was still seriously stuck on the shaft. $10 later at a machine shop and another $16 for a new pulley, no problem other than the 1.5 hours it took me to put the new one on. A real PITA
Advanced
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 53
Likes: 0
From: Auto Tech
It really is easy
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 16,477
Likes: 26
From: Gone
CI 6-7-8-9-10 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '03
Since you couldn't answer the very simple question I asked above, we can assume you've never actually done the job.
If/when you do, I truly hope you follow the service manual procedure to the letter. Which means disconnecting all brake lines and removing the EBCM/BPMV unit to gain access. As is typical of the service manual, that is completely unnecessary to accomplishing the task, but if it makes you sleep better to do it that way, have at it!
If you'd like another example of needless service manual procedure, look up the instructions for changing the left hood latch. When you get the wipers and cowl removed, and find it gained you absolutely zero additional access to the latch, you'll wonder why you just did all that.
My point? The service manual is a nice reference to have, but is certainly not the only possible way to tackle a job. There are often much easier ways.
And there are also better pulley options out there too so that you'll never have to deal with that silly plastic pulley again.
Advanced
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 53
Likes: 0
From: Auto Tech
That's terrific.
Since you couldn't answer the very simple question I asked above, we can assume you've never actually done the job.
If/when you do, I truly hope you follow the service manual procedure to the letter. Which means disconnecting all brake lines and removing the EBCM/BPMV unit to gain access. As is typical of the service manual, that is completely unnecessary to accomplishing the task, but if it makes you sleep better to do it that way, have at it!
If you'd like another example of needless service manual procedure, look up the instructions for changing the left hood latch. When you get the wipers and cowl removed, and find it gained you absolutely zero additional access to the latch, you'll wonder why you just did all that.
My point? The service manual is a nice reference to have, but is certainly not the only possible way to tackle a job. There are often much easier ways.
And there are also better pulley options out there too so that you'll never have to deal with that silly plastic pulley again.
Since you couldn't answer the very simple question I asked above, we can assume you've never actually done the job.
If/when you do, I truly hope you follow the service manual procedure to the letter. Which means disconnecting all brake lines and removing the EBCM/BPMV unit to gain access. As is typical of the service manual, that is completely unnecessary to accomplishing the task, but if it makes you sleep better to do it that way, have at it!
If you'd like another example of needless service manual procedure, look up the instructions for changing the left hood latch. When you get the wipers and cowl removed, and find it gained you absolutely zero additional access to the latch, you'll wonder why you just did all that.
My point? The service manual is a nice reference to have, but is certainly not the only possible way to tackle a job. There are often much easier ways.
And there are also better pulley options out there too so that you'll never have to deal with that silly plastic pulley again.
I just moved the ECBM a bit and left it connected.
As far as the manual(s) go , they are for reference and do not substitute for common sense.
GM has many , many BS things in them .
They are written by Tech writers , not mechanics.
