Time to replace power steering pump? (1 Viewer)

[PlumbersCrack]

My 2016 doesn't get many miles on it since its an extra vehicle. Mostly use it for camping / trail riding. Few weekends ago did some snow wheeling that had a lot of mud / ice / snow and everything else you could image. Some of the mud / water crossings were 2' deep or so (broke my bumper but that's a topic for another day) so everything under the hood got wet / muddy. Pressure washed the vehicle, under it engine bay everything. Started the truck up today, it's been on and driven about 2 miles last weekend, and the loudest belt squeal I have heard in a long time. Popped the hood and the noise is coming right from the power steeling pump pulley. If I toss just a tad bit of water on it, the noise goes away. Figured I'd swap the best and call it good. Removed the belt and when I checked the play in all the pulleys, the power steering pump pulley is able to move forward and backwards a bit. Is the s*** toast or is there supposed to be a tad bit of play in it? I don't recall things needing some play but I guess it is possible. I haven't put the new belt on to test mainly because if I need a new pump I just want to do it all and be done. For reference, 2016 with 45K miles. Thanks

 

[Sandroad]

Here’s my armchair mechanic guess. The play is not the source of the noise and if you thoroughly clean all the pulleys and install the new belt, it will be quiet. I think the PS pulley had some residual mud on it that caused the slippage. The water you sprayed on lubed it enough to briefly quiet it down. Others who have had the PS pump off can chime in on the play, but 45K miles is too soon for wear to be an issue (IMHO).

 

[PlumbersCrack]

Pretty much what I guessed, pump makes no normal power steering gone bad noises, so I’m throwing the new belt on to see if that changes anything. Was hoping to go camping early in the morning but bleh. Thanks.

 

[bloc]

From memory, the power steering vane pump shaft can float back and forth a bit. The shaft is held in via snapring, and isn't even supported by bearings, just bushings.

Unfortunately the FSM doesn't list the spec for this.

 

[PlumbersCrack]

Thanks for that info and that’s good to know about the play and it has some tolerance. I just swapped the belt and noise is gone. Thanks for the replies, yall.