Replacing PS Pump...

[awb85]

I'm replacing my power steering pump today. Quick question: how important is it that I replace the hoses when replacing the power steering pump? I never looked in to new hoses...maybe I could pick some up at a local parts store?

 

[93rev2sev]

Half an hour and no responses?

I'll give it a shot..

You will have to decide on your own if they look worn enough to replace. A new pump is a good reason to replace them.

It pretty cheap insurance if you can afford it and have the extra time.

either way, now hoses or old, flush those puppies out by disconnecting the fluid lines from the reservoir. Put the suction hose in a big bottle of new fluid. Put the return hose in an empty bottle.

Start the engine and run at least one large(gallon) bottle of fluid through the system while turning the wheel from lock to lock.

It could take an hour(maybe less) to set up the bottles and extend the hoses so that you can keep the bottles on the table next to the car. But I think you will benefit from longer pump and rack life if you flush the system right.

I have forgotten what kind of fluid these cars like in their PS sys. I seem to recall using natural ATF (non-synthetic).
A helper can let you know when the bottle of new fluid is empty so you can turn off the car and replace the hoses on the reservoir.

 

[awb85]

Hey Thanks.
What I've ended up doing is draining the resivoir and filling it back up a few times until there was no more 'black' fluid (looked like oil!!) getting pumped in the system. I think it did about the same thing. At 11pm I wasn't looking to make things too dificult.

I ended up not replacing any hoses. They all still have flexibility to them (must not be original?).

I took it out for a drive last night, and it's 10 times better! I can't wait for new suspension and a clutch...

 

[Mike93]

'Bout how much did a new PS pump run ya??? Where'd you get it from???

 

[awb85]

I ordered mine on partsamerica.com, but they didn't pack it well so one of the plugs was broken, but no damage to the pump. It was $138 plus a $50 core charge. I also had to pay $10 tax (they have affiliate stores in MA), but shipping was free. I'm going to be returning the core to a local store today to get my $50 back.

rockauto may have it as well but I haven't checked.


Good Luck!!!

 

[SHOblime]

It's cool you did what you did, awb85 that is definitely ONE proper way to do it. That said, if it were my car I'd replace the hoses because things have a tendency of building up from heat, etc so after you run the new pump it might still be breaking bits loose. My pump is "okay" but my hoses are visibly bulging from age/soaking in fluid ... I have an '89 though you might have 5-10 years left on them if your car didn't see cold temps and got flushed once in a while...

 

[Redskull]

the long return line that goes from the cooler to the resivoir gets routed quite precariously around the exhaust manifolds, which will burn a hole right through it if it gets josseled into the wrong position. It's always a good idea to replace that one, and make sure it's zip-tied out of the way (it's doesn't have any high pressure fittings, so it's no big deal to change it)

alan

 

[Miethos]

try RCM automotive for new PS pumps.

the one i ordered was fantastic and great packaging so no broken parts!

RCM automotive