How to Replace the Power Steering Pump on a Taurus
by Dan Ferrell
The power steering pump provides for safe and easy handling of your Ford Taurus. Actuated under high pressure, the pump helps you steer the vehicle down the road. However, the control valve and other internal pump components wear down after years of service, and once the pump fails, you must replace it as soon as possible.
Remove the Old Power Steering Pump
Step 1
Rotate the belt tensioner clockwise using a ratchet and socket. Then slide the drive belt off the power steering pulley. Let the tensioner pulley carefully return to the original position without snapping back to prevent damage to internal components.
Step 2
Place a drain pan under the vehicle to catch power steering fluid after you remove the two hoses from the steering pump.
Step 3
Detach the pressure hose from the steering pump by loosening the retaining nut with a flare wrench. Let the steering fluid drain into the drain pan.
Step 4
Loosen or slide the clamp off the return line at the steering pump (depending on the type of clamp used on your particular Taurus model). Use a ratchet and socket or a pair of slip joint pliers. Then detach the return line from the pump with your hand and let the steering fluid drain into the drain pan.
Step 5
Unplug the steering pump electrical connector, if your particular model is equipped with it.
Step 6
Remove the power steering pulley from the pump using special tool 211-016 (T69L-10300-B). For more information, see the Resources section below. Make a note of the pulley distance from the steering pump body at the mounting shaft, so that you use the same amount of clearance when you mount the pulley on the new pump.
Step 7
Unfasten the power steering pump mounting bolts using a ratchet, ratchet extension and socket and lift the pump off the engine compartment.
Install the New Power Steering Pump
Step 1
Attach the pulley to the new power steering pump using special tool 211-009 (T65P-3A733-C). See the Resources section below.
Step 2
Set the new steering pump in place and start the mounting bolts by hand using the ratchet extension if necessary. Then tighten the mounting bolts using the ratchet, ratchet extension and socket.
Step 3
Attach the return hose to the power steering pump with your hand and tighten it with the ratchet and socket or slide the clamp using the slip joint pliers.
Step 4
Install a new Teflon seal , if necessary, to the pump pressure hose using special tool 211-D027 (D90P-3517-A). See the Resources section below.
Step 5
Install the pressure hose on the steering pump by starting the retaining nut with your hand and then tighten the nut using the flare wrench.
Step 6
Plug in the steering pump electrical connector if your particular model is equipped with it.
Step 7
Rotate the belt tensioner clockwise using the ratchet and socket and slide the drive belt over the steering pump pulley.
Step 8
Refill the steering pump reservoir with new steering fluid and make sure the level is at the Full Cold mark.
Step 9
Turn on the engine and then turn the steering wheel from left to right five times. Turn off the engine and check the steering fluid level. Add more if necessary.
References
- Ford Taurus and Mercury Sable Haynes Repair Manual for 1996 thru 2005, Haynes Manuals, Inc.; 2006
Things You'll Need
- Ratchet and socket
- Drain pan
- Flare wrench
- Slip joint pliers
- Ratchet extension
- Special tool 211-016 (T69L-10300-B)
- Special tool 211-009 (T65P-3A733-C)
- New Teflon seal, if necessary
- Special tool 211-D027 (D90P-3517-A)
- Fresh steering pump fluid
Writer Bio
Since 2003 Dan Ferrell has contributed general and consumer-oriented news to television and the Web. His work has appeared in Texas, New Mexico and Miami and on various websites. Ferrell is a certified automation and control technician from the Advanced Technology Center in El Paso, Texas.
