The power steering pump assists you when turning the Aerostar's steering wheel.
The power steering pump assists you in steering your 1995 Ford Aerostar. The serpentine belt, which is turned by the crankshaft, drives the power steering pump. As the pump spins, it pressurizes the fluid to help push the steering assembly in your vehicle when you turn your steering wheel. If the pump doesn't work correctly, it would be very difficult to turn the steering wheel to steer your vehicle at slower speeds or stopped positions. Installing a new power steering pump is necessary to steer your vehicle safely if your old pump is malfunctioning.
Instructions
1. Remove the return hose from the reservoir at the bottom of the power steering pump and drain the power steering fluid. Disconnect the pressure hose from the power steering pump by loosening the swivel nut at the fitting.
2. Take the drive belt off of the power steering pump pulley by loosening the idler pulley to create slack. Take out the oil dipstick and uninstall the oil dipstick tube. Take off the power steering pump support by unscrewing the bolt that holds it on.
3. Remove the power steering pump pulley by placing a power steering pulley tool on the pulley and turning the tool's nut counterclockwise until the pulley comes out. Make sure to not put any pressure on the pump shaft because it will cause internal damage to the pump.
4. Unscrew the remaining bolts that hold the pump onto the A/C compressor. Pull the power steering pump away from the A/C compressor and remove it from the vehicle.
5. Place the new power steering pump, and its support, onto the A/C compressor mounting bracket and screw in the bolts to hold them together. Tighten the bolts to 35 to 45 foot-pounds of torque.
6. Install the new pulley into the power steering pump by pressing it onto the pump's shaft using a power steering pump pulley tool. Reinstall the drive belt to the power steering pulley and add tension to it by adjusting the idler pulley. Reinstall the oil dipstick tube and the dipstick.
7. Reconnect the pressure hose to the fitting on the power steering pump by tightening the tube nut to 30 to 40 foot-pounds of torque. Replace the fitting's washer with a new one. Reconnect the return hose to the reservoir at the bottom of the power steering pump.
8. Fill the power steering pump with fluid and start the vehicle. Turn the steering wheel all the way to the right and all the way to the left a few times to move the air out of the system. Check the power steering fluid level one last time to make sure it is full.
Tags: power steering, power steering pump, steering pump, power steering, steering wheel, pump pulley