I replaced the power steering pump about a month ago and since then have had some horrible belt squeal issues. I replaced the belt, the idler pulley, and tightened the hell out of the belt. As I look at it, I can see that the new pump makes the pulley stick out farther than the old one, which is making the belt misaligned and causing it to squeal. I put the pulley onto the pump as far as I could when I installed it, but I guess that wasn't enough. Any thoughts/ideas? The pump does have a warranty, think it would cover it being the wrong size?

 

Is the center of the pulley flush with the end of the pump shaft?

 

The pulley is probably a quarter of an inch off the end of the shaft (haha, shaft). I can see a little gap on the pump side of the shaft too, I didn't want to push the pulley on anymore when I installed it for fear of damaging the shaft bearing. Should I try to get it farther down?

 

Bump...

 

Yeah, the center of the pulley should be flush with the end of the shaft. Are you using an installation tool, or hammering it on (I hope not)?

 

Yeah I used the bolt and nut to run it down that came with the new pump, unfortunately I returned that bolt with the core when I took it back, so I'll have to find one again. Even though it felt snugged down when I was doing it do you think I should just crank harder and push it down more?

 

Those installation bolts are a pain in the butt to use. See if your parts house has an actual installation tool that you can rent, it makes it much easier.

 

Well starting this week I'm working at a Pep Boys so I'll have to see what we have. What would the tool look like?

 

It's really just a larger version of the cheap bolt and nut they give you with the pump, but you can use larger wrenches for more leverage.

 

Got the installer and it pushed it right on. Didn't even pull the pump, I just pulled out the electric fan and got at it from the front. Thanks for the help man, I had just assumed that the pulley was on as far as it would go. I blame the ****ty bolts they give you with the pump to install the pulley.

 

hope your pump lasts longer then the last three I got from "the zone"

 

I got this one from advance auto (it was before I worked at pep boys) and it supposedly has a lifetime warranty so we'll have to see if they actually honor that

 

they will, just like autozone has three times. I bet I can swap a power steering pump faster then anyone!!!