[Supermodulation]

Disclaimer
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A 355nation How To presented by
2004CrewCab & Supermodulation

Project Name
How-To Replace Power Steering Pump (PSP)

Project Description
Power Steering Pump diagnosis, replacement, fluid flush and air bleeding procedure.

Skill Level
Moderate

Project Vehicle
Make: Chevrolet
Model: Colorado
Year: 2004
Engine: 3.5L
Power windows: yes
Sun Roof: No
Mileage: 104,000

Tools Needed
16 mm wrench
13 mm socket
Pulley Puller
Pliers
Vise grips

Project Time
2hrs or 6 beers

Project Cost
PSP GM # 19131883 $60 ~ $80
Fluid $20, 3 x 12oz bottles.


Symptoms of a defective Power Steering Pump.
Noisy Pump
Hard Steering
Excessive Serpentine belt ware caused from a bad bearing.

Defective pump (video: bad bearing)



Location: Passenger side, front of motor.

Power Steering Pump (PSP).

========================================================================================

Step 1. Remove Serpentine belt.

Step 2. Remove fluid from reservoir.

Step 3. Remove air box.

Step 4. PSP Mounting Bracket: Remove the three 13 mm bolts.

Step 5. Using your pliers, pinch the (low pressure) hose clamp from the PSP reservoir and be prepared for the fluid to come out. Let it drain in to a catch pan located under your truck.

Step 6. Remove High pressure line with a 16 mm wrench and Replace O ring provided from your GM PSP replacement kit (Included w/PSP).

Left: old, Right: new.

Step 7. Remove and re-use pulley:

Read the Pulley Puller instructions for the removal of GM pulleys.

Step 8. Installing Pulley on the new PSP.

The PSP shaft should be flush to the pulley. If not, it will cause the Serpentine belt to mis-align.

Step 9. Connect a scrap piece of 3/8" hose to the reservoir. Replacement PSP is ready for installation.

Step 10. Install PSP and re-install the Serpentine belt. Using vise grips, clamp hose.

=========================================================================================

Step 11. Fluid Flushing and Air bleeding procedure.
Chuck rear wheels and lift the front of your truck so both front wheels are off the ground.

Step 12. Fill reservoir with PS fluid. DO NOT START ENGINE but turn wheels all the way to the left and all the way to the right till the fluid looks clean.
Repeat process about 4 to 6 times.
Re-attach low pressure hose to the PSP reservoir. Fill reservoir and install air box, lower truck. Inspect work and clean up.

Finished!

 

[brewer15650]

Bump for a NEW How To...>!!!!

 

[dents-n-dings]

Nice Write-up!!

So glad you included the Flush......mine was Black as Sin when I did it!!

:thumbup: :thumbup:

 

[SpindlyJim]

Nice job James - another excellent write up.
(And another to-do for my truck - flush the fluid)

 

[Supermodulation]

Thanks guys. Hope it helps someone out.

 

[Chris0nllyn]

I'm sure Jimbo is happy. :lol:

 

[2005 coly]

I feel I have to do this. Mine makes noise not to loud but you can defiantly hear it. Also it leaks since I noticed that around the reservoir its covered in power steering fluid. I been adding some LUCAS power steering fluid with the stuff to help fix leaks.

 

[2004CrewCab]

I feel I have to do this. Mine makes noise not to loud but you can defiantly hear it. Also it leaks since I noticed that around the reservoir its covered in power steering fluid. I been adding some LUCAS power steering fluid with the stuff to help fix leaks.

A new pump would be a good idea at this point, and this write up should help you out.:thumbup:

Well after 3 months I can tell you the steering on my truck is 100%. The AmsOil power steering fluid is great. I would recommend it to anyone looking to change power steering fluid or in the case of 2005 coly and myself changing the pump as well. :wavey:

 

[buzik19]

Thanks for the write-up! That will definitely be the good manual to follow in a week, when I will replace that noisy son of a b#tch that's been driving me nuts for the last month!

 

[n9cv]

I replaced mine last May. I have had a problem with a squeaking new belt ever since. On Monday of this week I finally replaced the belt with a Dayco one and have no noise (yet). I was wondering about he proper position of the PS pulley on the shaft.

Your "how to" confirms that I installed it correctly so if the noise comes back I'll forget about that as the possible fix.

Thank You.

 

[Supermodulation]

I replaced mine last May. I have had a problem with a squeaking new belt ever since. On Monday of this week I finally replaced the belt with a Dayco one and have no noise (yet). I was wondering about he proper position of the PS pulley on the shaft.

Your "how to" confirms that I installed it correctly so if the noise comes back I'll forget about that as the possible fix.

Thank You.

The squeaking sounds like a possible belt alignment. Inspect the belt sides. If one side shows sines of rubbing then the PSP pulley needs to be pushed/pulled in the opposite direction to correct it. Also inspect the alternator. The alternator brackets on our trucks was designed to align the turpentine belt. Hope this helps.

 

[Sarge]

Hey James, wasn't it just about a month ago we were talking about replacing the pump at about 125K miles seems to be a normal occurence? That's the next project for me now.

 

[Supermodulation]

Hey James, wasn't it just about a month ago we were talking about replacing the pump at about 125K miles seems to be a normal occurence? That's the next project for me now.

LOL Ya we were just talking about it. Do you need the puller?

 

[Millstone]

I see the part where you removed the high pressure line but not the part where you reinstalled it.

 

[coldsolderjoint]

Thanks for the write up ! Helped me out today.

I have a 2WD, and of course didnt have a 16mm wrench.. so I had to pull the pulley while it was in the truck in order to have enough room for the adjustable wrench on the high pressure side..

While I was trying to bleed it.. the dark dirty burnt fluid came out.. but clear fluid never did.. I started the truck and it was really noisy so I checked the fluid again, and it was low, so i added it and drove around, and the pump quieted up.. so I'm guessing maybe I had an air bubble in there or something?. seems ok now.

Now on to fix the rest of everything that is broken on the serpentine belt.. which is everything...

 

[Supermodulation]

Thanks for the write up ! Helped me out today.

I have a 2WD, and of course didnt have a 16mm wrench.. so I had to pull the pulley while it was in the truck in order to have enough room for the adjustable wrench on the high pressure side..

While I was trying to bleed it.. the dark dirty burnt fluid came out.. but clear fluid never did.. I started the truck and it was really noisy so I checked the fluid again, and it was low, so i added it and drove around, and the pump quieted up.. so I'm guessing maybe I had an air bubble in there or something?. seems ok now.

Now on to fix the rest of everything that is broken on the serpentine belt.. which is everything...

Possible or like you said low on fluid.

Glad we could help!

 

[yellowcolorado25]

I was curious if I order a psp for a 2010 or 2011 3.7L Colorado for my 2005 3.5L, will it fit? I figure a remanufactured psp from a later date would be better than one from earlier years.

~Troy

 

[Zeuce]

good call on the flush too Supermod :thumbup: doesnt take long for contaminated fluid to kill a new pump. Same goes for changing a rack, flush that shit!

 

[andreyzem]

Hello All, just replaced my power steering pump however it still leaking under the metal tube ,I did check the seals,makesure they are tight, also when i remove the cap from power steering reservuar,it pops like a champagne cork should there be that much pressure, thank you

 

[HK_Titan]

I had a leak in my power steering lines after 20000 miles. I have the old lines out and will be putting the new ones on tomorrow night.

To get the air out of the system and fill it with fresh fluid, I just connect the high pressure line on both sides and the low pressure line on the rack, attach the 3/8" hose to the reservoir and crimp it, fill the reservoir and turn the wheels back and forth till i see clean fluid going through then put the return line back on the reservoir, check the fluid levels and I'm done right?