I have a 98 Grand Cherokee with the 6 cylinder. I need to replace my power steering pump. I went to Autozone today and they asked if I needed the one with variable effort steering or the one without variable effort steering. Hmmm.....good question. So is there a simple way to determine which one I need? The only difference the sales rep and I could see was the shape of the resevoir.
Any help??

 

Compare your res to the ones they have?

 

Yeah, that's the route I'm going. I just didn't know if there was a better or more technical way to figure it out. Sometimes just good old common sense I guess.

 

I'm not a grand cherokee guy, so I have no experience in this department.

 

Vehicles with variable effort, or "Speed sensitive steering" as it was called on the dealers order form, have an electrical connection on the steering pump.

 

The main thing to spot is where the pressure line fitting is on top of the pump, if its right beside the reservoir you dont have variable assist, if there is an electrical solenoid right beside the the reservoir you have variable assist.

Here, I found pics of with/without variable assist.

Without


With variable assist

 

Thanks! That's just the detailed info I was looking for!

 

I have this damn solenoid and I think it's the issue I'm having. I've already replaced the pump, reservoir and pulley, but had to use the old EVO/Solenoid. I searched multiple sites and, thank you www.morris4x4center.com, the Jeep Shop Repair Manual and Parts manual, and they do not even have this part listed. I spent 30 minutes at the dealership on Monday and they FINALLY found a google picture and were able to get a PN, BUT they said that the part is discontinued. They showed the part listed at $530!!!!!! I look at the Parts dude and said are you nuts? I can get a new pump from ACDelco with the SBC/EVO for $200, but shipping time is 1 - 2 months.

NOW I just need to find some where that has this for possibly way less than what the Dealership shows. Is it possible to switch to the pump without the SBC/EVO?

 

at that price I would be hitting the Junk yards for sure.