Power Steering Pump Help Needed

[tkruger]

I have a 1987 Monte Carlo LS with the 4.3 and AC. The other night the power steering pump fell off, yes all three bolts backed out somehow. Tied it up, cut the AC and PS belts and drove it home. Never changed one of these on this car. Does anyone have a before remove picture. Also is there anyway to get it back on without removing the pulley? Can the pulley be removed with it tied up in the car?

The way it is currently tied up in the car the lines, pump etc are all OK. I would like to save what I can and avoid additional cost at this point.

 

[Opie Knievel]

I have a 1987 Monte Carlo LS with the 4.3 and AC. The other night the power steering pump fell off, yes all three bolts backed out somehow. Tied it up, cut the AC and PS belts and drove it home. Never changed one of these on this car. Does anyone have a before remove picture. Also is there anyway to get it back on without removing the pulley? Can the pulley be removed with it tied up in the car?

The way it is currently tied up in the car the lines, pump etc are all OK. I would like to save what I can and avoid additional cost at this point.

Let me make sure I understand your problem. Are you saying that the three bolts that hold the pump to the bracket fell out? The bolts behind the power steering pump pulley?

If that's the case, you'll have to have a power steering pump pulley puller. You can get them for less than $25 at most auto parts stores. You'll have to pull the pulley off the pump, mount the pump to the bracket and then reinstall the pulley. I'm pretty sure you'll have to remove the bracket to get the pump back on. As far as pics, I have a 4.3 Monte Carlo and I can get you some pics.

 

[TURNA]

I agree with Opie

But I am wondering if they unscrewed themselves and fell out....shouldn't you be able to fit them in and screw them back in?

 

[pontiacgp]

I'm wondering how those bolts backed off, did you install the ps pump recently?

 

[tkruger]

Yes, the three bolts behind the pulley came out. I have no clue how. There was no odd noise, vibration nothing. Just lost power steering while driving. This is the 4th season I have had the car and I have never touched the power steering pump. I check the belts, hoses and fluids regularly and they were fine last week.

A pic would be nice. I tend to take a before pic prior to doing the job, unfortunately the car did not allow for that.

 

[pontiacgp]

Yes, the three bolts behind the pulley came out. I have no clue how. There was no odd noise, vibration nothing. Just lost power steering while driving. This is the 4th season I have had the car and I have never touched the power steering pump. I check the belts, hoses and fluids regularly and they were fine last week.

A pic would be nice. I tend to take a before pic prior to doing the job, unfortunately the car did not allow for that.

I'm not questioning you but that doesn't make sense that the bolts were in the ps pump for 4 years and then fell out. Usually the bolts are harder to take out after 4 years due to corrosion.

 

[tkruger]

I'm not questioning you but that doesn't make sense that the bolts were in the ps pump for 4 years and then fell out. Usually the bolts are harder to take out after 4 years due to corrosion.

I agree. I was the only one at the cruse night attempting to fix their car just so they could get home. Other than looking down the lane I was in and watching the cars drive by I did not get to do much at all. I have never seen this either. I was hoping to figure it out.

Tim

 

[pontiacgp]

You were at a cruise night and no one offered any help?

 

[tkruger]

You were at a cruise night and no one offered any help?

I had help but no one had the bolts etc. I meant in my post I was the only one with a car being worked on there, not that I was the only one working on my car. They had the rope to give me and a knife to cut the PS and AC belts. I had allot of people wondering how that could actually happen. It did give me a chance to talk to others. Most who stopped had their own break down stories too.

 

[pontiacgp]

That must have been a long drive home with no power steering. A ps box with no ps pump is harder to manage than a manual box