A power steering pulley can often become loose over time, which can lead to reduced power and difficulty turning the wheels. In this article, we’ll show you how to tighten a power steering pulley using simple steps.
Tools You’ll Need
In order to tighten a power steering pulley, you’ll need the following:
-A power drill
-A 3/8 inch socket or wrench
-A pulley wrench
-A belt sander or grinder
-An impact driver or cordless drill
1. Start by removing the bolts that hold the power steering rack to the car. There are typically four bolts on each side. You’ll need a 3/8 inch socket or wrench to remove them. Be sure to note which bolt goes where – you’ll need it later.
2. Now, take the belt sander or grinder and sand the pulley mounting surface smooth. This will help prevent it from slipping while you’re tightening the bolts.
3. Next, use the socket or wrench to tighten the four bolts that were removed in step one. Be sure to use enough torque – you don’t want these bolts to come loose again!
4. Finally, use the impact driver or cordless drill to tighten the remaining bolts in a similar fashion. Make sure that you get everything tight – there’s no point in having insecure power steering now!
Preparing The Steering Wheel
Step 1: Remove the steering wheel from the car.
Step 2: Remove the bolts that attach the power steering pulley to the steering column.
Step 3: Turn the pulley counter-clockwise until it comes off of the steering column.
Step 4: On each side of the pulley, remove the four nuts that hold it to the steering column.
Step 5: Place a rubber band around one nut on each side of the pulley, and twist it clockwise until it is tight. Repeat on the other side.
Tightening The Pulley
Power steering is a vital component of your car’s mechanical system, and it’s important to keep it in good condition. One common issue with power steering is a loose pulley. This can cause poor performance and even a potential failure. Here are instructions on how to tighten a power steering pulley:
1. Park the car in a safe location and turn off the ignition.
2. Remove the positive battery cable.
3. Locate the power steering gear box housing on the car underside.
4. Remove the two screws that hold the housing in place.
5. Open the housing to reveal the power steering pulley inside.
6. Loosen the bolt that holds the pulley on to the gearbox by turning it anticlockwise with a wrench (A).
7. Loosen the bolt on the other side of the pulley (B) by turning it clockwise with a wrench, then pull it off of the gearbox.
8. Carefully remove the pulley from the gearbox by hand, being careful not to damage it or lose any mounting hardware.
9. Clean all dirty surfaces on the pulley and gearbox before re-installing them with new mounting
Checking For Proper Fit
One of the most common problems with power steering is a loose or misaligned pulley. The pulley is the belt-driven system that helps to turn the engine and drive the wheels. A loose or misaligned pulley can cause a lot of trouble, including poor performance, noisy operation, and even failure of the power steering system altogether.
To check for proper fit, first remove the cover on the front of the power steering pump. Next, use a wrench to loosen the bolt that holds the pulley in place. Make sure that the pulley is spinning freely in both directions. If it isn’t, you’ll need to replace it.
Once you’ve got the pulley properly tightened, reattach the cover and torque down the bolt to spec levels. Be sure to check for alignment again before you replace the belt, just to be sure everything’s still working properly.