Anytime I can spread a little more sunshine, let me know! On the slightly brighter side, a rebuilt pump, gear, and new hoses (you may want to replace the rag joint at the same time-- get the GM one from the Help section) is only about $225 (maybe less) and you'll end up with a much nicer steering car. You could also swap in a quick ratio box "while you're at it" for not much more.
Matt
At 05:57 PM 4/27/2005 -0400, you wrote:YOu are so full of GOOD NEWS Matt! LOL. ----- Original Message ----- From: "Matt Haas" <mhaas@xxxxxxx> To: <mail@xxxxxxxxxxxx> Sent: Tuesday, April 26, 2005 7:48 PM Subject: Re: power steering pump replacement
Jay,
If you have a 1/4 inch end play in the pump, it's toast. A rebuild kit isn't going to have all the parts you need (they basically have new seals and a shaft bushing). Rebuilt pumps are pretty inexpensive (I think I paid less than $50 for mine). Your steering gear is probably full of trash now as well and should be rebuilt or replaced at the same time (it doesn't look like a difficult job to rebuild one but you need a few special tools). It would probably also be a good idea to replace the hoses to make sure they're not full of trash as well.
Matt
At 10:13 PM 4/25/2005 -0400, you wrote:rebuild the steering gear? I can move the pulley and the shaft it is mounted on about a 1/4 inch backward and forward. Is that normal?
Jay ----- Original Message ----- From: "Matt Haas" <mhaas@xxxxxxx> To: <mail@xxxxxxxxxxxx> Sent: Monday, April 25, 2005 8:29 PM Subject: Re: power steering pump replacement
Jay,
Rebuild kits for the Saginaw pumps are inexpensive (about $10) and easy to install. A rattle may be from sticking rotor vanes or it's possible that some other trash is in it (in which case you should replace or rebuild the steering gear). Also, rebuilt pumps are pretty easy to find and are likely to be in stock at better parts places. There are two different reservoirs that were used while AMC was around but the pumps are identical otherwise. The only real issue you need to watch out for is that the pulley attachment method is the same. The early style uses a bolt on pulley and the later style uses a press on pulley (you need a special tool to remove and install these).
Matt
At 05:50 PM 4/25/2005 -0400, you wrote:Hey Guys, I have a PS pump that has a rattle in it at one speed (30 mph in high gear) and it is annoying, but I am concerned that it will fail just at the most inopportune minute. Has anyone got replacement parts kits for these pumps. I guess there is more than one brand of pump. Where do I look to find out the manufacturer and model on the pump?
Jay