Two power steering pumps....

[SHOtimer]

Ok, I have a choice of two PS pumps now that I am putting my motor back in.

One is from my '95 with 165k on it, and pours nice clear red fluid.

Second is from a '93 with 132k on it, and pours blackish fluid.

Neither leak.

However, if i put them next to each other and turn them the second one (the '93 one) has a much tighter bearing and just a tighter feel in resistance to turning it. The '95 doesn't slop around, but you can definately tell a difference in how the '95 one is not as tight and spins a bit easier.

I assume the '93 will be a better pump to install, but I wanted some other opinions.

Thanx, Doug

 

[TYSHO]

I would think the 95 is a better choice. The only reason being, with that many miles, each should have the bearings broken in to spin freely. Once they give resistance, it's a sign [in my opinion] of worn bearings. This is what I have experienced with the accessory tensioners. Plus, the 95 has clear fluid and is probably an indication that the pump has been cared for with regular interval fluid changes.

 

[SHOtimer]

Well, the '95 pump has been on my car for the last 40k, and I have always kept the fluid clean and clear. The '93 came off the car I got my motor from, I assume that they didn't change the fluid.

It has been my experience with accessory bearings that the more resistance they have, the better condition they are in. I assume that this would be true with PS pumps also.....

Any other opinions?

Thanx, Doug

 

[TYSHO]

It has been my experience with accessory bearings that the more resistance they have, the better condition they are in. I assume that this would be true with PS pumps also.....

When my old one was screaming, I went ahead and replaced both. The one that would scream like no tomorrow would be lucky to get 2 full spins when you tried to freespin it. On the other hand, the other tensioner would sit there and spin forever and is still good.

 

[SHOtimer]

Well, there comes a point when it is so loose (the idler bearing) that it then starts binding because it is so loose (causing the frozen state of that bearing). However, I don't think that would be the case in a PS pump.

Doug