Vaccum Pump pulley froze up today and started to melt my belt Looks to me that the pully housing on the front of the pump can be removed with just two bolts - does this sound correct? Can I replace just the pully portion or do I need the entire unit. Any part # or pricing ideas would be appreciate...its time to do some wrenching in near zero degree weather

 

Its an easy enough fix cost me about $100 if I remember, the old pump comes off with 3 10 mm bolts, take it in to your local O reilly's they will press off and on your pulley for free.

hope this helps.

 

I would think you need a whole unit but I can't tell you for sure. I'll bump you up if nothing else for more helpers to see..

Working in zero degrees sucks. It's 20-30 below windchill here today....BRRR

 

It's not all that bad to change. Take the belt off of the pulley. There is a tensioner on the passanger side of the engine. Once you get the belt removed get a 10 mm wrench. A 3/8" will not work. Loosen the 3 bolts and slide the whole pump out as you loosen them to get them loose enough. Autozone has the puller as well you can borrow. The call it a power steering pump puller IIRC. When you pull the old pulley DO NOT forget to put the bolts in the new pump BEFORE you put the pulley on. They will not go in with it on there. I tried. The pulley sits almost flush with the top of the shaft. Reinstall in reverse order and you will have no more stuck pump. Oh yea and brakes again.

 

Thanks guys. I got the pump out today and quickly realized its all one assembly with a pressed on pulley. Nobody carries the pump so I have to wait until tomorrow. Autozone has the PS Pully kit as well so hoping to remove and press it back on while still at the store...and I hear ya about remembering the bolts!

Another question...I had to drive home about 2 miles with the belt burning on the stuck pulley. Smelled great ;-) There is some rubbers shavings gunked up on the battery area from the belt and you can see where the belt was burning all around...but seems to still be in pretty good shape. Do think it is OK to keep using or did I do enough damage that I should be replacing the belt? It was a new belt barely 500 miles ago so I hate to buy another :-(

 

I'd be buying another and keeping it as a spare. It might make it a long time, might break tomorrow. Not worth it, don't want to be stranded for something you know you should change, jmo.

 

Id buy a new belt. that one will have gotten to hot and will break prolly sooner than later.

steve

 

Well...froze my toes off and only busted one knuckle, but I got the new pump put on today. They did not have my belt in stock so I am still running on the burned belt...seems to be fine but when it warms up some I will do the smart thing and put the new one on.

I love a good winter project...but prefer it be one I can do in the garage