P/S Pump swap - line thread depth

[SwannyUK]

So I've had an issue with the power steering pump since I bought the car. It judders when turning, through the wheel. I checked the how the wheels are moving etc, and there's no skipping etc. So I ordered a new PS pump, and fitted it last night.

On closer inspection of the existing PS pump, you can see that the pulley is out of line;



...and comparing the two, I can see why. The new one is on the left.



So I swapped it for the new one, and it all lines up. However, I'm having trouble with the hard pipe that goes to the pump. I was very careful with the connection, with it being a straight edge fitting with no taper, but I don't think its going into the fitting attached to the pump as far as it needs to, causing a leak through the thread;



Comparing some before shots of the connection, it looks like it needs to go in further, because it looks like there's a seal at the top of the thread against the flange (before shots on the bottom);



Its getting to require quite a lot of force to tighten it much more, and I dont want to strip the thread.

Its been suggested to perhaps use some teflon tape on the thread, or to try swapping the threaded fitting out of the old pump into the new one. Does anyone have any advice?

[lynns hubby]

You don't need to put PTFE tape on the threads as its not the sort of fitting to seal on the threads. It looks like the design is to seal on the end of the pipe with an "O" ring or something like that. Was there any thing like this that came out of the old pump. Has the new pump got the seal in the port where the pipe fits.
A new seal will not need the same compression as the old one. If the pipe had been removed before (on the old pump) then on re assembly it would need a bit more "Nip" to achieve the correct seal. Have you run the pump ? Did it leak?

[Laird Scooby]

Originally Posted by SwannyUK

So I've had an issue with the power steering pump since I bought the car. It judders when turning, through the wheel. I checked the how the wheels are moving etc, and there's no skipping etc. So I ordered a new PS pump, and fitted it last night.

On closer inspection of the existing PS pump, you can see that the pulley is out of line;



...and comparing the two, I can see why. The new one is on the left.



So I swapped it for the new one, and it all lines up. However, I'm having trouble with the hard pipe that goes to the pump. I was very careful with the connection, with it being a straight edge fitting with no taper, but I don't think its going into the fitting attached to the pump as far as it needs to, causing a leak through the thread;



Comparing some before shots of the connection, it looks like it needs to go in further, because it looks like there's a seal at the top of the thread against the flange (before shots on the bottom);



Its getting to require quite a lot of force to tighten it much more, and I dont want to strip the thread.

Its been suggested to perhaps use some teflon tape on the thread, or to try swapping the threaded fitting out of the old pump into the new one. Does anyone have any advice?

As said above, DO NOT USE PTFE tape on it!

From what i can see, the metal pipe is entering the aperture on the pump slightly skew-whiff so it won't seal properly.

I would loosen the pump on its mountings, loosen any clamps on the hard line and get the union done up as much as possible but not completely tight - leave 1/2-1 turn of thread for tightening.
Once you've got it that far, remount it in the correct mountings, tighten the belt as per spec and then finally tighten the metal union. Run it up and check for leaks, if it's all good, tighten any clamps on the hard line you loosened.

Doing it this way will give a bit of space and movement for things to line up while you tighten them to a leak-free state and then tighten the mountings etc, rather than the other way around which often causes problems as you've found.

Good luck and let us know how it goes.

[SwannyUK]

Originally Posted by lynns hubby

Was there any thing like this that came out of the old pump. Has the new pump got the seal in the port where the pipe fits.

I'll take another look at it and check.

Originally Posted by lynns hubby

Have you run the pump ? Did it leak?

Yes I ran the pump and then noticed it leaking.

[SwannyUK]

Originally Posted by Laird Scooby

I would loosen the pump on its mountings, loosen any clamps on the hard line and get the union done up as much as possible but not completely tight - leave 1/2-1 turn of thread for tightening.
Once you've got it that far, remount it in the correct mountings, tighten the belt as per spec and then finally tighten the metal union. Run it up and check for leaks, if it's all good, tighten any clamps on the hard line you loosened.

I'll give that a go thanks, I did slacken off a couple of pipe clips to give some more wiggle room but I think you're right about loosening the entire pump and doing it again. I just hope I haven't buggered any of the thread.

[J liddy]

I had same problem it was air in system it cured its self but took weeks . I changed the pump but made no difference air in the system system is a bugger to get rid of

[Laird Scooby]

Originally Posted by J liddy

I had same problem it was air in system it cured its self but took weeks . I changed the pump but made no difference air in the system system is a bugger to get rid of

Had yours recently been for MoT when it happened Jim?

[940volvoman]

not helpful to wonder at this juncture if an electric pump would be a good upgrade?

[Laird Scooby]

Originally Posted by 940volvoman

not helpful to wonder at this juncture if an electric pump would be a good upgrade?

The 7/9xx models need a heavy duty pump compared to what most electric pumps can manage - they're fine for cars with inherently light steering like Corsas and Fiestas etc but not something that needs the sort of power assistance of one of our beasties. Have to admit, even with the hydraulic pump working on mine, i still find it under-assisted compared to the other cars i own/have owned with PAS, same can be said for all the 7xx cars i've had.

Besides, the electric pump gets its power from somewhere so that would be more load on the alternator so another potential slipping belt problem.

[940volvoman]

Fair point,Dave.
Aren't all manufacturers moving across to electric pumps?

My steering was the best yet on my recent holiday.Refurbished rack,replacement universal joint from a 960/V90 and a new set of boots.The tracking was also done with the rack.

By all accounts,the Americans seem to have worked out how to make their pas systems a lot easier for the driver than our systems.I wonder how they do that...