JAB

My p/s pump has a slight leak. A reman pump is $120 on RockAuto; a rebuild kit is about $12. Has anyone rebuilt one of these pumps? Can it be done with ordinary tools? I.e., I don't have a press. Thanks.

fastnoypi

i haven't rebuilt one myself but all the youtube videos out there look like they can be rebuilt with ordinary tools or a few puller tools that can be rented free from autozone, etc.. For $12 i'd give it a try for the challenge and learning experience ..if it doesnt work out well, you can always slap it together as a core to hand in.

salimshah

Service manual has all the details.

A good rebuild requires measurements with micrometer etc but generally folks think about rebuild as replacing seals.

Not sure what you would get as reman .. it could be replace seals only, but then you get warranty and keep taking it back

Salim

thaeleelyr

I rebuilt mine. It was pretty easy. Just make sure you put the vanes back in properly. I'm pretty sure I did it with ordinary tools. I think I did a write up about it but didn't post it yet. I'll see if I can find it today and post it as a DIY. I definitely have pictures if you want to see some.

JAB

That would be great!

thaeleelyr

Give me a couple of hours today. Turns out I didn't write a DIY, but I did make copious notes. I'll write it up as I get time today and post later.

salimshah

Jab:

What problem are you trying to address?

Fitting leak
Leaking seal
Pump does not produce pressure.


I would suggest do minimal. If the pump is damp, just add fluid. If it is dripping then investigate and fix. If it is not building pressure or you have bubbles in the reservoir, replace with a reman. Those are just my suggestions YMMV.

Salim

JAB

Salim: Thanks. Up until recently it was simply a very slow leak around the shaft resulting in drips on the garage floor. However, recently there has been a squeal on start-up when cold which I suspect (but am not sure) is also caused by the p/s pump. Any thoughts on how to isolate the source of the squeal? I suppose it could be alternator, p/s pump, or a/c compressor.

salimshah

Jab:

Most likely source of of the squeal is the Accessory belt. (main, alternator & AC compressor). It unlikely that it is the power steering belt as, when you start the steering is not turned, so the pump is not working under load.

You can tell by looking at the belt too. The one that is shiny on the inside is the one that is slipping. You can mist each belt at a time before starting and the dry belt will most likely squeal.

The right test is to use a tension gauge to properly adjust each belt. Some folks do a quarter turn test (which to me was good with v bells and not the flat wide ones).

I had a belt that developed cracks that one squealed.

Salim

thaeleelyr

Jab: Here is the write-up if you haven't seen it yet.
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/rx-...p-rebuild.html

As for squeal, if you are loosing fluid it may be flinging some up onto the belt Salim described so that when you start it is on that belt. Of course, even though the PS pump is not under load, it is still turning and if there is enough fluid on the belt, I imagine it can slip without load. You might want to look at the belts before you start the car to see if one or both are wet.