Play in the power steering pulley

[89 2wd]

I got a used p/s pump with a new hose from the pick ur part. I was planning on doing a direct swap and using the new hose and pump, but noticed that there is some play in the pulley. Basically you have to imagine that if the pump is sitting on the ground and you are looking directly at the pulley that the movement is up and down, or think that theres play when i pull on the pulley away from the pump.

If anyone has rebuilt a pump, or knows whats safe to put on that would be great. The original pump that I took off my car has very little play, way less than a millimeter, but the new one has about 2-3mm of movement.

Use the old pump with the new hose, or get a rebuilt pump from the auto parts store? Removing the pressure hose is a PITA and I need to know quick b/c the car is up on jackstands in my garage and I dont plan on doing this again ever unless the idle-up valve fails.

[TBayToyotaBoy]

I definitely wouldn't use a pump with that much play in the pulley. You'll just be ripping it all apart in a few months when it seizes...

I've pulled a few steering pumps off Gen2's at work over the last several years, and none of them had that much play. Even original factory pumps with over 400,000km have had solid bearings. I'd be wary, and get a credit at the yard where you grabbed it.

[marc780]

If you can feel any play it is too much and the pump is worn out so you wouldnt want to trouble with even bolting that one in. although I dont know how they do it at your junkyard, but the pick- a-parts around here have an exchange only warranty. I'd give it one more try with the pump from another junk car, and if that one didnt work out i'd go with a rebuilt one.