a77ssii

After having about every part of the steering/suspension system go south 1 week after getting laid off (Hasn't even been started since Dec) I finally got all the parts in and now I have a question. I have everything done except for the P/S pump, steering box and pass side control arm bushings. All the info I can find on P/S pump removal is saying to remove the vacuum pump and P/S pump as a unit then split the 2. Do I need to be concerned about the timing changing when I pull the unit out? Just worried that removing a gear from the whole system may allow something to rotate that's not supposed to.

klx650a2

If all you're doing is taking the vacuum/power steering pump out, there are no timing changes to worry about. The reason being, the combo runs off the gears and is not a required part for the engine to run.

Happy wrenching!!!!

a77ssii

Thanks, got the control arm bolts in so I can finish the bushings, steering box and drag link tomorrow leaving the pump and dual stabilizers for Thu right before the snow starts again.

GAmes

Just in case you don't know. If you remove the intake tube and boots from the intercooler to the intake it is a lot easier to remove the vac pump/pwr steer pump assy from the top. Also disconnect the oil pressure switch connector and be careful when pulling the assy rearward. Those switches are brittle. Car Quest carries new ones.

Also, now would be a good time to replace the vac pump seal, thru Cummins the kit is about $10.

a77ssii

I'm doing the pump tomorrow, already assumed the intercooler lines would have to go but hadn't thought about the seals. Oh, well. Rocky Mtn Cummins is 70 miles away and I have no way to get there. Hopefully it will hold. I had actually pulled the oil sensor wire off when I pulled the P/S lines while doing the P/S box. Thanks for the tips.

nickg

If you can't get the seal for the Vacuum pump, and you don't want it to leak later, you can cheat by coating the nose of the PS pump where it fits into the Vacuum pump with a good quality RTV all this does is keep the engine oil that leaks past the Vacuum pump seal trapped in the space between the vacuum pump and the powersteering pump. there is little to no oil pressure in there as the oil returns to the block via the front cover.

The only down side is IF the power steering pump looses its front seal (rare at best) and the vacuum pump seal was shot, the power steering fluid could be dumped into the crankcase, the odds of both seals going is pretty slim,

the fact that VP and PS pump fit loosely is so that when either seal goes it helps you determine which one it was, its designed like the drain between say a TC and a transmission.