Replace a 1998 Ford Windstar Power Steering Pump 

V6 Ford Windstar.

Steps

  1. Get a pulley puller from your local auto parts store BEFORE you start. Get a couple bottles of Power Steering fluid. Some newer Fords recommend using Mercon V Transmission Fluid in the Power Steering System, so check with your auto parts salesman while there.
  2. Disconnect battery. Remove wire connector on the rear of the alternator. Pull back the rubber cover on the top of the alternator and remove the small screw that hold the connector on.
  3. Drain the power steering fluid with a siphon type pump.
  4. Remove the serpentine belt. There is a cool way to do this. Look for the tensioner in the upper rear area of the engine compartment. Put a 15mm wrench on the lower bolt and pull it towards the front of the van. As the tension is reduced pull the belt off with your free hand.
  5. Remove the power steering pump pulley using the puller.
  6. If none is at hand, you may remove the whole unit without removing the pulley:
    • Get the pump free removing everything (alternator, fluid lines) leaving only the three bolts.
    • Remove the accessible two bolts. The lower one can only be pulled out when the pump is loose and can be tilted.
    • Looking at the pulley wheel, the third one hides behind its rim at 6-o'clock. Select a close-fitting wrench (not to damage the flanks of the head when using force) and slip it (working by feeling) in direction from 6 to 12 o-clock over the head.
    • Once having the feeling how and where it is sitting, readjust to an 8 -o-clock position approximately, making sure that turning between 8 to 6 you will not press anything other than the head of the bolt.
    • Slowly pull from 8 to 6 until it clicks, which should mean that the bolt comes free.
    • Continue to unscrew till it is out 1/4 (5mm) or so, NOT pressing the pulley wheel, as the head will stay under it.
    • Cautiously try to pull the unit free over the bracket (to the water pump) and let it rest there, so you are able to move it sideways.
    • Now continue to unscrew the bolt moving the unit along until all comes free (this bolt will be trapped under the pulley).
    • Be aware that not paying attention to forces, position and so on may easily cause damage.
  7. Remove the pump lines. Fluid will probably go all over. Once the pulley is off loosen the 3 bolts that hold the power steering pump to the assembly to that contains the alternator and the power steering pump. The three bolts are easy to find. Once those 3 are loose look for the other 3 bolts that hold the assembly to the engine block. Remove these 3 completely. When the bolts are out the entire assembly containing the alternator and power steering pump can be lifted up and laid over to the left. Remove the 3 power steering pump bolts and slide it out to the right.
  8. Put the new pump in place. Check the bolts for wear. Replace if necessary.
  9. Hand tighten the bolts to the pump. Lift the assembly and slide it back into place. It may need some convincing to get into place. Slide the 3 bolts back in place. Tighten to spec. Tighten up the pump bolts. Put the pulley back on using the proper tool.
  10. Put the main pump line back in place with a new washer. At this point I highly recommend flushing the system.
  11. Reconnect the bottom hose. This is a tight squeeze. I had to remove the valve cover to get my fingers into the space.
  12. Replace the serpentine belt.
  13. Add fluid to the reservoir. Reconnect the alternator wiring. When you are certain everything is back in place, have an assistant start the engine. Add fluid to the reservoir if it needs it. Do not put in too much.

Tips

  • Use a quality puller to remove the pulley. The puller must be for pulling power steering pulleys. This puller hooks onto the nubbin at the center of the pulley and uses a bolt to push against the end of the shaft with. Using a puller that attaches to the edges of the pulley may bend the pulley and likely won't work correctly - moreover there is a risk of damaging the rim it is hooked to, as this is soft material and because of this needs a full contact.
  • It is more likely that you need to remove the whole bracket, there are 3, 15mm bolts, and also the idle pulley (for access one of the bolts).

Warnings

  • KEEP ALL TOOLS, LOOSE CLOTHING AND FINGERS AWAY FROM THE SERPENTINE BELT!
  • Do not start the engine without adding fluid!
  • You must closely watch not to cause damage while removing the whole unit.

Related Articles

Retrieved from "https://kipkis.com/index.php?title=Replace_a_1998_Ford_Windstar_Power_Steering_Pump&oldid=324673"