1999 Grand Caravan Power Steering

From : mike lenahan

Q: i need to replace the power steering pump on my 1999 grand caravan 3.3l. anything i should know before i start known problems / difficulties i am very comfortable doing minor / medium repairs on my toyota ford and saturn but this is my first attempt at something this hard to reach on the dodge. it looks like i will have to push the exhaust system out of the way. is this necessary will i have to remove the pulley before i remove the pump should i remove the pump from the bracket first or take out the whole bracket/pump assembly in one piece im thinking ill cover all necessary bolts/nuts with penetrating oil and let it sit overnight before i begin. is this a good idea any advice / tips would be appreciated. thanks. .

Replies:

From : mike lenahan

i case anyone else was waiting for an answer to this post - the power steering pump is bitch to get to and almost impossible to remove. unless you can figure out some way to turn the vehicle upside-down expect a face full of power steering fluid no matter how much time you spend draining the system. the hose from the reservior to the top of the pump cannot be reached from the top bottom or any side unless you have an extra elbow 1/3 of the way up your arm. buy either the chiltons or the haynes - doesnt matter because both are wrong about how many and which bolts need to be removed. the ones that need to be removed are the ones you cant get to until after you remove the pully. to remove the pully simply remove the pump. once the pump is free of the mounting bracket you simply turn it twist it pull it push it squeeze it bend it and stretch it - simultaneously of course - and then dismatle the entire exhaust system to free the pump from the undercarriage. thats as far as i got. tomorrow ill install the new pump. haynes says installation is the reverse of removal. should be a piece of cake. i need to replace the power steering pump on my 1999 grand caravan 3.3l. anything i should know before i start known problems / difficulties i am very comfortable doing minor / medium repairs on my toyota ford and saturn but this is my first attempt at something this hard to reach on the dodge. it looks like i will have to push the exhaust system out of the way. is this necessary will i have to remove the pulley before i remove the pump should i remove the pump from the bracket first or take out the whole bracket/pump assembly in one piece im thinking ill cover all necessary bolts/nuts with penetrating oil and let it sit overnight before i begin. is this a good idea any advice / tips would be appreciated. thanks. .