I've read countless threads recounting the struggles of removing power steering pumps, and whether or not I decide to remove the pulley (most likely would), I can not figure out how to loosen the belt!! There appears to be an assembly attached to the PS pump that could reduce the tension, but I don't see how that would work if the pump is bolted in. It also seems like there would be a tensioner on the belt somewhere else to retighten the belt, but maybe the assembly attached to the pump is the tensioner. If so, do I have to loosen anything else before adjusting the pulley's position?

My belt also seems unnaturally tight. I can't make it budge one bit manually.

I really don't want to break anything taking it out (I plan to rebuild the factory pump) so I'm hesitant to yank on anything without hearing from someone that's done it. Huge thank you to whoever takes time out of their day to field this simple question.

 

Removing the power steering pump is pretty simple actually. First you want to break the pulley lose. Sometime I have to put vise grips on the pulley to keep it from slipping while taking off the nut. Then under the pump is a pivot bolt on the right and then a bolt on a bracket on the left that slides and allows tension to be put on the belt but simply leverage against the pump itself and lock down the bolts. Take the hoses and vacuum lines off. That's all there is to it.

 

Does this drawing help? http://web.archive.org/web/201102060...11powerste.pdf
You have to loosen the long pivot bolt and the shorter lock bolt. Then it just tilts.

But wait! If you plan to remove the pulley, the easiest way to loosen the pulley bolt is when it is held by the belt. So loosen the nut 1/8 turn first.

 

Thank you both for the reply!
Got it out, rebuild and back in around 6 hours. That pulley was ON there! Took almost an hour with the pickle fork.

 

Ow!

Please don't use a "pickle fork," (certainly not on ball joints) unless you just don't care about damaging what it is used on.

IIRC, the pulley is keyed with a "half-moon" woodruff key, rounded side to shaft. If it sticks to the pulley, as you pull on the pulley the key rotates, jamming in the slot. Using a small screwdriver, I've been able to tap they key slightly. It will slip back into the slot and free the pulley.

Even if that doesn't work, there are actual pullers that can be use for this job. And they don't involve BFHs.

But this advice is too late for you. Glad you got it fixed up.