Power Steering Conversion - Real Time Help (10 Viewers)

[Two Buck]

I'm trying to install Georg's Saginaw conversion and I can NOT get the bolt holes in the bracket to line up with the holes in the block. Is there a trick I'm missing besides teaching the neighborhood children every curse word I know? Because I've tried that one and it's not working.

Please don't tell me to remove the smog pump. I don't really think the added room will help all that much, and as slow as I work that will add days to the project. I just want to get even ONE of these #&@*ing bolts started and I think I'll be okay.

 

[DFXR]

you don't have to remove the smog pump but loosening it up and rotating it out of the way will help. The tensioner bracket can be moved without full removal and than can help too.

Do you have a stud on the front PS bracket mounting hole on the block or are you using a bolt? A stud in there can help because you can basically hang the bracket on there and reduce the weight while you get the other bolts started.

This thread has some good info and pics, though I'm sure at this point you already know what it all looks like.

need help with power steering pump removal...

Other than that, just a lot of patience. You're holding the bracket with one hand and blind threading with the other. The bolts came out, so they will eventually go back in. Just don't get frustrated and cross-thread.

 

[Rusto]

I just did this a few days ago. I put the pump on starting with the bolt at the front of the block. Then just one bolt of the three on the side of the block. Third boit was one of the two smaller ones mounting bracket to smog pump bracket.

The last two bolts on the block then went in easily, with the 6th and final bolt being the second small one. Rotating like that seemed to help things like up week.

I left smog pump on the whole time

Good luck. It's worth it!

 

[Two Buck]

I finally got the bracket on and now I'm connecting the high pressure line to the rear of the new pump. Whoever said that flare nut is 17mm is full of s***, because I'm using a 17mm flare wrench and mine is completely rounded off now to where it won't turn anymore -- and there's still play in the line.

 

[Two Buck]

I give up. I tightened up the pressure line as much as I can and started her up and it's leaking from there worse than it ever was before. This conversion was a total fail.

 

[Rusto]

Mine was 17. It didn't seem too difficult to tighten. Perhaps it's cross threaded?

I have been there and it sucks. Walk away from it for a while. Maybe have another set of eyes look at it, too.

 

[Two Buck]

Do you have a stud on the front PS bracket mounting hole on the block or are you using a bolt? A stud in there can help because you can basically hang the bracket on there and reduce the weight while you get the other bolts started.

Yeah, I hung it off that stud at the front and used that as a pivot until I finally got one of the bolts to catch. Once I got one, the other two were pretty easy. There was just no room to work, and like you said, you're blind threading. It's just three bolts, but man that was hard.

Mine was 17. It didn't seem too difficult to tighten. Perhaps it's cross threaded?

I have been there and it sucks. Walk away from it for a while. Maybe have another set of eyes look at it, too.

I don't think it's cross-threaded, it's just hard to turn. And now that I've got the fitting nice and rounded off it's not turning at all, so that's awesome. I still find it hard to believe it's 17mm because there was lots of play with my wrench when it had corners when I started. It's frustrating that I'm probably a half rotation away from being good, but that just isn't going to happen. I'm stumped. But thanks for the encouragement.

 

[TexasBlue]

I you have to replace the high pressure line cause the ends are rounded, Rock Auto sells a Gates replacement for @ $27 with shipping.

Good luck, as I just replaced my entire system with OEM pump. I recommend you replace the hoses as well.

 

[Rusto]

Vice grips?

 

[TexasBlue]

It's your rig, but I d replace the hose, you order today Rockauto usually 2 to 3 day delivery , or check O'Reilly s r Autozone. They are @$45. Good luck.

 

[Two Buck]

It's your rig, but I d replace the hose, you order today Rockauto usually 2 to 3 day delivery , or check O'Reilly s r Autozone. They are @$45. Good luck.

Got one on the way. $20 shipped.

 

[NeverGiveUpYota]

Yeah, I hung it off that stud at the front and used that as a pivot until I finally got one of the bolts to catch. Once I got one, the other two were pretty easy. There was just no room to work, and like you said, you're blind threading. It's just three bolts, but man that was hard.



I don't think it's cross-threaded, it's just hard to turn. And now that I've got the fitting nice and rounded off it's not turning at all, so that's awesome. I still find it hard to believe it's 17mm because there was lots of play with my wrench when it had corners when I started. It's frustrating that I'm probably a half rotation away from being good, but that just isn't going to happen. I'm stumped. But thanks for the encouragement.

I sheared a bolt last night on the back of my knuckle. Pissed me right off cuz I shoulda known it was happening abut I kept trying to turn it like your saying. If it’s that hard, I’d really hedge that it’s crossed.
As well as my hard brake line on the driver side, I was using a flare wrench but it was so rusty corroded it rounded. I had the backing plate off so I ended up dousing it really well w/ penetrant and put a vice grip on it and that cracked the seal. So just saying, you might need something tighter at this point to get a grip on it.
Good luck. We’ve all been there w/ fighting w/ a bolt or nut that’s really snug. Step back and take a break if it’s making you too pissy. There always something else to do. Good luck!

 

[Two Buck]

Dangit, now you guys have me thinking maybe I did cross-thread it. Assuming I did, I figure the threads are probably chewed up in the pressure fitting too, so I should probably replace that while I'm at it. Anyone know where to source that for the Autozone #7023 pump? Google isn't helping.

 

[Seth_O]

Not directly related to your issue OP, but as I've gotten older I've gotten better about accepting when I need to step away and take a breather.

I've found that helps keep me from making simple mistakes, I also find that it let's me think up solutions that I was somehow missing previously.

It's not always an option but when possible it can make all the difference between working on the truck being a good experience and a miserable one.

 

[NeverGiveUpYota]

Yup. He said it right. I walked away from this tonight...
Even w/ double layers of clothing on and kneeling on cardboard on the ground I was chilled to the bone. I’m bummed. It’s gonna slow me down a lot.

 

[Rusto]

You should be able to warranty swap the pump, instead of trying to find a part for the pump. It's usually no questions asked on those things

 

[DFXR]

Look on the bright side... at least you didn't bugger the threads on a $400 toyota pump. Your Saginaw converison is already paying for itself.

I replaced my pump last fall (with OEM). It's a grind, but you're close.

 

[Two Buck]

You should be able to warranty swap the pump, instead of trying to find a part for the pump. It's usually no questions asked on those things

Wait a minute. You mean I gotta take this thing OUT again? I can’t put a new fitting in with the pump in place?

 

[Two Buck]

Not directly related to your issue OP, but as I've gotten older I've gotten better about accepting when I need to step away and take a breather.

Yeah, I’m more than old enough to know better, but I just absolutely lost my s*** with this thing over the weekend. Dumb. Oh well, cleanup on aisle five and move on.

 

[Two Buck]

Okay, I've given in the inevitable and taken the power steering pump and bracket out of the truck. As I worked I could feel every minute of the time I spent putting it in on Sunday flushing down the cosmic toilet of "There's 8 hours I'll never get back."

So now it's sitting on my workbench, mocking me. My new high pressure line came in today, so I tried gently threading that into the pump to see...well, for science. And it binds up just like the line I chewed up Sunday did: it goes in smoothly for about 1.5 turns, then stops. I've inspected the threads in the fitting on the pump and they look...well, okay. (Not that that means anything. I'm just saying I don't see any obvious damage to the threads.)

So now I'm wondering if maybe it's not metric. The two mounting holes with temporary plugs on the back weren't metric -- they took 3/8 x 16 plugs. So maybe the fitting is standard rather than metric too? Either way, it's not working with the new high pressure hose I just received, so I need to swap it out.

Edit: ...and I just ordered a new pump through AutoZone. It should be here Thursday and I'll start all over again. Wish me luck...