Hey everyone. I have a question for everyone that I need assistance on or at least a shove in the right direction to another site or post if there is a write up elsewhere. I feel like I have looked pretty good but what I need seems to escape me. Anyways, here goes. I have a 1997 Camaro Z28 with an LT1 that I知 removing the power steering pump on. I知 almost through with the job, however the lines securing the pump are still attached and I知 wondering the best way to detach them. Left upper is a rubber type with a clamp on it and will probably come off just fine like a typical radiator hose; right lower is a metal fitting. I知 guessing it痴 got some kind of a nut attachment like most high pressure metal fittings. I知 thinking about spraying it with PB blaster and maybe using a crow痴 foot. The working room is very limited and I doubt it has ever been loosened since the car was new so I知 thinking the penetrating oil will probably be a good idea. Does anyone know of a good LT1 power steering pump write up? And does anyone out there have any helpful hints or suggestions that I could use. Thank you so much in advance for your time!
Shaun

 

Hi Shaun.

The LT1 power steering pump (specifically the high pressure hose) is a bitch if you've never taken it off. You will need a GOOD line wrench in order to bust it loose. If you can't get it off, you can try removing the other end of the line off of the rack and pulling it up and through. I had to put the entire pump in a vice to get the high pressure hose off.

There are two bolts holding it to the block (both are 10mm if I remember correctly) and you access them through the holes in the pulley.

 

You will need a 5/8 flare nut wrench for the hard line going into the bottom of the pump. It can be a pain to get off. I can do it with the pulley on the pump(pump unbolted with alternator removed). However you may need to remove the pulley. If you need to remove the pulley, then grab a power steering pump pulley remover and installer from Autozone(it's all one tool).

As RamAir95TA mentioned, you may need to pull the pump out with the entire hose on it if it will not break loose. Whatever you do, don't round off the nut.

I recommend taking out the cooling fans to work on it. They are simple to remove. Just unplug the fans(be careful, don't break the plugs), push the fans up and out of the holding tabs, and work them down(lower the right side first and work it past the cooling hoses). That will give you a ton more room. Especially, if you have to remove the pulley from the pump while on the car.

 

Would you guys happen to know what size wrench I need for the end of the rack side?

 

I actually have mine out right now to paint the accessory bracket. I took the pump off first, then the soft line and used a 5/8 wrench to disconnect the high pressure line. It has never been off before. I did it this way to afford the maximum amount of room to work. It came off really easy.( pb blaster first). Dont forget to replace the O ring on reassembly!