If you’re getting ready to remove a power steering pulley by using a hammer, shop press, or 3-jaw puller tool… STOP! You would be wise to read through the following article to get some tips on the process and tools needed to properly and safely remove a pulley without doing damage to yourself or the parts.
This post will only cover the general process and tips for pulley removal. See our other post for the process and helpful tips for pulley installation. Consultation of owner’s manual or brand-specific instructions is highly recommended, as this is only intended to be a general overview. Turn One is not responsible for any damage or injury that may occur as a result of these tips. If you don’t feel comfortable doing this work yourself, it may be wise to consult a professional.
Prep Work
If the pump is still mounted on the engine or accessory drive, we recommend clearing as much space around the pulley as possible. Depending on the exact pulley tool being used, you’ll likely need at least 4-5 inches in front of the pulley for the tool, plus some free space to rotate a wrench. Some pumps/pulleys are notoriously hard to access (e.g. C5 and C6 Corvettes). In some cases, you may have to remove/un-mount the alternator, radiator, or other components to gain adequate working clearance. Remove the accessory drive belt from the pulley.
If possible, remove the pump (with pulley attached) from the vehicle. This will make removing the pulley much easier. Although not necessary, it can be helpful to secure the pump before proceeding. A bench vise and some long bolts through the pump mounting bosses is an easy solution to securing the pump. Some pulleys may have to be removed with the power steering pump still mounted on the vehicle.
Clean the pulley flange of any debris and oil to ensure a good connection of the pulley removal tool on the pulley flange.
Lastly, have the proper pulley removal tool. At Turn One, we use Kent-Moore power steering removal tools for GM power steering products. While expensive, these have never failed us on fitment or performance on a variety of pulleys. If you don’t want to buy a tool for a one-time pulley swap, most auto stores have tool loan programs where you can borrow one with a returnable deposit.
Prior to Torquing
We recommend heating up the pulley flange and outer bore area immediately prior to using the pulley removal tool. This can help soften/expand the pulley bore for easier removal. It is important not to overheat the pulley or driveshaft, as this can damage the driveshaft seal in the pump. 2-3 seconds of heat application is usually adequate.
**To remove a Turn One billet aluminum pulley, heating the bore is highly recommended. SEE FIRE WARNINGS BELOW!
Apply the pulley removal tool, making sure the tool is installed to full depth around the pulley flange. Hand-tighten, if possible, until there is enough tension to hold the removal tool firmly in place.
**DO NOT use an impact wrench on Turn One pulleys!! While this may fine for steel pulleys, the billet aluminum is a softer metal and therefore is more easily susceptible to damage from the harsh impact and torque of an impact wrench. Hand-loosen only.
Turning the Wrench
We recommend using wrenches with the longest possible handle to aid in applying torque to the removal tool. Even though pulleys are press-fit on the the driveshaft, there is usually a large amount of frictional force that needs to be overcome to unseat the pulley. Always unseat the pulley by using hand tools. Again, we do not recommend using an impact driver on any removal tool as the amount of impact force can damage or break the pulley flange.
You’ll know the pulley has unseated from the driveshaft because it is usually accompanied by a loud “pop” sound. After this, the force needed to turn the pulley removal tool should be much easier. Continue to work the removal tool steadily until the pulley is entirely off the driveshaft.
Never, Ever Do These Things
Never attempt to remove the pulley by any means other than a properly sized pulley removal tool. The use of hammers, shop presses, or other types of jaw pullers can cause irreversible damage to the pulley, pump, or both!
Never apply heat if there are flammable liquids or gasses in the work area! Use common sense and abide by all other manufacturer warnings pertaining to the vehicle, accessory/engine components, fluids, degreasers, etc. Turn One, Inc. is not responsible for any damage or injury that occurs from improper use of procedures, materials, tools, etc.
If you don’t feel comfortable doing a pulley removal yourself in a safe and competent manner, we recommend enlisting the help of a professional to do the removal for you.
