Replacing Power Steering Pump, in need of a bit of guidance

[JELEF]

Hiya gents,

I'm trying to replace my power steering pump ('95 Avalon XLS). I believe it seized due to an inadequate amount of steering fluid.

The belt's gone and I've loosened the pivot and locking bolts so the pump is slightly movable. The return line's been removed.

However, I cannot take off the high pressure line and the union gasket! There's a bolt (21, 22mm?) which is situated at laughably inaccessible angle. I've tried coming over the top with a breaker-bar (as in this video:

You Tube

You Tube

) but there's not enough room to move or apply enough torque to loosen it. I've tried from the bottom through the wheel well but again, the same problem. I've sprayed it with lubricant, but it's not helped.

This bolt will absolutely not budge. What can I do? Is there a special tool? Is it possible to remove the hose from the high pressure line without unscrewing the bolt while the pump's still attached to the car? Is it possible to remove the pump while the high pressure line's still attached so I can create a bit more space in which to work? I'm really out of ideas now. Any bit of guidance would be extremely helpful!

Cheers,
John.

[71Corolla]

Follow the line from the pump, where does it go? I replaced a PS pump on a Camry not too long ago, I was able to do it by unbolting the fitting at the top of the engine bay (right hand side) and pulling the pump out with the hose attached. Different car but the pump is very similar if not exactly the same.

[JELEF]

This is the first time I've ever messed with power steering or high pressure lines so I'm not sure what the function of each bit is or what can be removed.

Here are some snaps from under the bonnet. I've followed the high pressure line from the pump which winds likes a labrynth behind the engine, ultimately entering a metalic cylindrical bit from a 0° angle directly above. I'm not sure if this is what you're refering to. Or perhaps it's the metal cylindrical bit which seems to connect a rubber hose to a metal pipe just after the exiting the pump?

There's also a snap of the bolt I'm trying to remove.

Hopefully all of this looks similar to yours or at least familiar.

Thanks for the help!

[71Corolla]

Going by your pics, you don't have the convenient fitting I did on the Camry I worked on. I would suggest dropping the pump down, put a wrench on the pressure fitting (22mm?) and strike the wrench with a larger hammer. There should not be much torque on that fitting it is biting down on copper crush washers.

These pumps are a real pain to get out, takes patience.

[JELEF]

The problem I've been fighting for an entire day is that there's no room to work in there. Coming straight down from the top I can barely fit one hand in. I've been able to get a spanner on the bolt by going through the left wheel well, but there's only a few millimetres of clearance, which isn't enough for a hammer. The spanner hits the frame of the wheel well before it can have any affect on the bolt.

And because of the angle, when using a breaker bar from the top, not all of the torque transfers to rotating the bolt because the socket begins to tilt and come loose from the bolt.

Other than yanking a bunch of other parts off, the only solution I can see is using an air-powered socket. There's just no way to create enough torque in that space at that angle.

[71Corolla]

Have you removed all 3 bolts so you can pull the pump downward? (pivot bolt, secure bolt, bolt holding on the secure bolt bracket). It may be necessary to separate the inner and outer tie rod and put that out of the way so you have more room to work with.

I looked at the service manual for a 1994 Camry, but it did not give much info on how to actually remove the pump, only general info.

[JELEF]

In the exploded diagram I've found it looks like there're two bolts: one for pivot and one for tension. Though it think it's for a 98 Avalon because it has an oil pressure sensor attached to the pressure port union bolt (the one I can't remove). That YouTube video shows the same thing and his is a 98. Though in the video, he only removes two bolts, which seem to correspond to the ones on mine as well.

I've not sure about the 94 Camry, but I believe the 95 and 96 are the same as the 95 Avalon.

I've loosened one of the fasteners fixing the high pressure line to the engine so now there's a greater range of motion for the pump. I'm going to see if I can remove the pivot bolt to drop the pump down a bit. Perhaps then I'll be better able to reach that pesky pressure union bolt.

Thanks for the guidance!

[71Corolla]

Yes there are two bolts, the 3rd one I was referring to is what holds on the adjustment bracket, thought removing that bracket might give more room to work. Good luck.

[pmesfun]

I got to the bolt from under, put the wrench on from the left side of the pump right above the steering rack. Plenty of room, even enough for a cheater bar.

[JELEF]

Did you remove the rack or anything else first? I can get a spanner on the bolt going through the wheel well but there doesn't seem to be enough clearance to turn it in either direction.

Which way should I pivot the pump, all the way up or all the way down?

[pmesfun]

No. You have to be in the position like if you changing the oil. I don't remember exactly but I think the pump was pivoted up.

[JELEF]

Finally got the nut off.

Gave up on the socket set and bought a 22mm spanner. I pivoted the pump all the way up and locked it. Then used the spanner through the left wheel well and had just enough clearance to crack it. Was able to twist the nut off with my hand.

Cheers for the guidance.

...now on to rebuilding a pump.

[adu1982]

you're going all redneck on that pump.......

I have been driving mine with the annoying sound since about 6 years ago (when my wife back than girlfriend, drove it without power steering fluid) ......and I think it is finally time for it to be replaced anytime soon as it seem to be loosing some fluid.....(still does not show where but you see by fluid every 2-3 months or sooo).....anyways long story short......


this will be very helpful.....