power steerin rebuild - need tips for removing side rear plate

[AdventureBuddies]

power steering pump rebuild going great but now I'm stuck. Te FSM says remove side rear plate being careful not to scratch housing, but doesn't mention how to remove. Nothing in the FAQ mentioning this process specifically other than lightly tapping the shaft. I've already tapped it more than what I consider "lightly" and don't want to risk bungling something up. I imagine it's easy, but I just need the sequence from anyone who has done this.

Snap rings are off but I don't know if I should grab the side rear plate with plier and pull it out. Or should I tap the shaft so it pushes the side rear plate out the back of the housing?

Thanks.

[AdventureBuddies]

somebody must have a tip for me. The side rear plate is the first piece that comes out once the back plate and the wave washer have been removed.

[Romer]

Are you talking about rebuild of the pump or the gear box? I don't recall a rear plate when I swapped the pump.

[AdventureBuddies]

rebuild of the pump. IT's the part that has to come out to reveal the cam ring and the vane pump rotor.

[Whipp]

I rebuilt my pump not too long ago, and got to take it apart twice when I realized I missed an o-ring. The first time, I held the pump so that the shaft is vertical and pointed up, lightly tapping the shaft with a dead-blow hammer worked the plate out. I also tapped on the side of the pump, gradually working around the pump housing. The second time, I held the pump in the same orientation and repeatedly banged it down onto a clean wood surface. The second method worked much faster and worked well for getting all the pieces out. Just careful when lifting the pump up, you don't want the vanes to come out of the rotor. Oh, and watch the woodruff key slot, it gave me a few nice cuts.

[AdventureBuddies]

Originally Posted by Whipp

I rebuilt my pump not too long ago, and got to take it apart twice when I realized I missed an o-ring. The first time, I held the pump so that the shaft is vertical and pointed up, lightly tapping the shaft with a dead-blow hammer worked the plate out. I also tapped on the side of the pump, gradually working around the pump housing. The second time, I held the pump in the same orientation and repeatedly banged it down onto a clean wood surface. The second method worked much faster and worked well for getting all the pieces out. Just careful when lifting the pump up, you don't want the vanes to come out of the rotor. Oh, and watch the woodruff key slot, it gave me a few nice cuts.

Thanks! Tapping the shaft with a brass bar worked. I guess I wasn't tapping hard enough originally. I had to hit it a little harder than I was comfortable with, but everything came apart as it should have. Finished the rebuild this morning.