!!Please Help!! Replacing Power Steering Pump

[method9]

Hello to all fellow Bronco enthusiasts,

I have a 73 Bronco Sport with a 302 and my power steering has been going in and out for the last month until finally it has quit and i have no power steering at all now.

The mechanic had said that the power steering pump needs to be replaced so I will be doing that tommorrow. I am going to Napa to buy the pump.

1) Is there anything else that I need to buy other than new fluid?

2) Is there a certain way that I want to go about it or do I just start taking off hoses and undoing belts and brackets.

If anyone has any suggestions or instructions that would be awesome and much appreceiated. Thanks,

Brady

 

[Skuzzlebutt]

Installation is pretty self explainitory.
Before starting it up, jack the front end off the ground and turn the wheel stop to stop a few times to bleed as much air out as possible. Check/fill the reservoir again and start it up. Crank the wheel some more then look in the reservoir to see if the fluid is moving. Hopefully it is. If not, shut it down and crank the wheel some more. Then start it up again ....
Keep doing this until it is all working good then lower the Bronco and test drive.

 

[Bronco Sport]

Also make sure to recheck the fluid level after you drive it for the next few days. I'd also replace the lines and the belts if they are old, better now that on the road.

 

[method9]

Thanks guys for the suggestions,

How do I tell if the air has been completely bled out or not?

Will it make noise?

Also it says to have the car running when you check the oil, is it ok just to fill it until the dipstick sais full even when it isn't started?

Thanks,

 

[ransil]

you will need a power steering pulley puller.

 

[ponch0v]

any thoughts on flushing the system. The old pump just went south with possible metal in the fluid. anything in the ps box will now get into the brand new$$ pump.

 

[Flash69]

any thoughts on flushing the system. The old pump just went south with possible metal in the fluid. anything in the ps box will now get into the brand new$$ pump.

After you get the hoses off you can turn the wheels lock to lock a time or two and that will get most of the old fluid out of the box. Thats about the only way i know to get the old fluid out without taking your steering box apart.

 

[gkling01]

since you are replacing the pump, maybe a good time to upgrade. I'm not sure what the best options are but maybe someone else can throw some advice out there. Just a thought.

gkling

 

[Mark]

You're going with a Saginaw pump right?
I think the stock pump is a slug. It whined like a little girl til I upgraded to the Saginaw which is a better pump - no debate. Cost is about the same.
If you run stock size tires the stock pump is fine, but if you want bigger meats or plan to install Hydroboost brakes in the future, now is the time to upgrade.
Yeah, remove as much of the old fluid as possible (with hoses off and a catch bucket turn your steering wheel).
After the new pump is on when you bleed the system of air, jack the front end up with the engine OFF turn the steering wheel lock to lock 20 times. Then with the engine ON turn the steering wheel lock to lock 20 times. Check your fluid, check for leaks.

 

[broncnaz]

I never had any problem with the stock pump other than the front seal leaking. While I do run a saginaw pump now because it came with the replacement steering box I bought. When I do the PS swap on my 71 I will use my stock pump. Usually you dont need a pulley puller my last stock pump came with the correct pulley. Most pumps will come with instructions on how to bleed. If you have choppy steering or hear it groaning then you still have air in the system. I second putting on new hoses at the same time always a good idea.

 

[method9]

Thanks for the suggestions you guys rock!

 

[brian72]

you will need a power steering pulley puller.

FYI - you can borrow from autozone the puller...

 

[saxman]

I did the NAPA conversion a couple of months ago and am pleased with the results. if you wanna replace that old electrical oil sending unit with a mecahnical gauge, it is much easier to di wit hthe power steering pump out of the way.

the pully puller will definitely help.

here is a good link...

http://www.broncohio.com/tech/napapump.html

make sure you have enough torque to take off that male part for the pump....

my $.02