How to Replace a Power Steering Pump on a Ford Escape
by John Rose
When the power steering pump goes bad on your Ford Escape, it's still possible to steer the car, but the steering becomes stiff. This type of repair is not one that is critical, but you should do it as soon as you possibly can. There's no need to take the car to a garage for this repair, because even with no experience working on cars you can do this in about an hour and save a great deal of money on labor.
Step 1
Open the engine compartment and disconnect the negative battery cable using a wrench to loosen the nut.
Step 2
Rotate the belt tensioner in a clockwise manner with a wrench to loosen the belt and pull the belt away from the power steering pump.
Step 3
Unplug the electrical connector from the pump by pulling it off.
Step 4
Drain the power steering fluid from the power steering unit and prepare it for recycling. Do not use it in the system again.
Step 5
Disconnect the power steering pressure line using a wrench to loosen it and pull it away from the unit.
Step 6
Jack the car up using the automobile jack. Place a jack stand under the frame near the jacking point and raise it up to the frame.
Step 7
Crawl under the car and remove the two lower bolts on the power steering unit with a socket and ratchet. Remove the jack stand and lower the car back to the ground.
Step 8
Remove the power steering pump pressure line bracket using a wrench to remove the bolt.
Step 9
Remove the low pressure power steering hose using a wrench to loosen it and pull it away from the unit. Remove the bolts from the power steering pump using a ratchet and socket. Pull the power steering pump away from the car.
Step 10
Remove the pulley from the power steering pump using the pump pulley tool. Attach the pulley to the new power steering pump using the pump pulley tool.
Step 11
Put the new power steering pump into place and tighten the upper bolts using the socket and ratchet. Connect the lower pressure power steering hose to the power steering unit. Reconnect the power steering pump high-pressure line bracket and tighten it with a wrench.
Step 12
Raise the car up again with the automobile jack. Place a jack stand under the frame near the jacking point and raise it up to the frame of the car.
Step 13
Install the lower power steering pump bolts and tighten with a ratchet and socket. Reconnect the power steering pump high-pressure line and tighten it with a wrench. Reconnect the electrical line to the unit by plugging it in. Remove the jack stand and lower the car back to the ground.
Step 14
Reinstall the power steering belt and draw it up tight using a wrench to turn the belt tensioner counterclockwise. Reconnect the negative battery terminal and start the car to test the installation.
Things You'll Need
- Metric wrench set
- Drain pan
- Automobile jack
- Jack stand
- Metric socket set
- Pump pulley tool
Warnings
- Never attempt this project without first disconnecting the battery as instructed or you put yourself at risk for electrical shock.
- Wear safety goggle when working under the car or you risk eye injury from dirt and other foreign objects.
Writer Bio
John Rose has been writing professionally since 1981. Now contributing to various online publications, he specializes in auto repair, home maintenance and similar topics. Rose studied English at Frostburg State University.
