Replacing power steering pump seals

[chromic]

I decided to have a go at replacing the seals on my V6 power steering pump. All went well but I am having trouble putting the snap ring on. I tried putting a screwdriver in the little hole on the pump and then pushing by hand/fingers to get the snap ring in but the plate keeps bouncing out.

Is there a special way of putting the snap ring in? I have a clamp but it doesn't compress the plate enough for the snap ring to fit in. Also how much play should there be with the shaft that holds the pulley wheel?

[bittsa]

im almost certain mine didnt have any play. mine died, i picked up a second hand one for $45 and it works fine, buut i dont remember the shaft ever havin sideways movement

[moff_man]

sometimes the snap ring gets distorted and sometimes it looks right but pops out when hydrulicpressure is appilyed ie turning the steering wheel once on the car.

i would suggest using a press and a socket and push down gently or a vice but that makes it hard with the jaws being in the way.

there should be too much play around 0.10mm should be heaps but wouldnt stress if it's much more...

you did put everything back they way it came out? if not the pumps will not pump. and its a pain in the ass too pull everything back apart trust me ive done it too manny times

[immortality]

i find a G clamp works well to take the load of the back plate whilst removing/fitting snap ring. a vice and large socket would also work.

[chromic]

Thanks guys, persevered with it and I finally got it on. Attached everything, bled the pump, took her for a spin and all good now. There really wasn't that much difference in the size of the old and new seals. The old ones were not broken but were flush with the groove it was in, whereas the new one was a little bit higher than the groove it was in.

[DannyboyDS]

I like to clean the exterior 200% as well as inside of the pumps when I rebuild them, that way I can run a bead of good sillicone around the rear seal as well for a little extra hold, since thats the eal that tends to fail the most.

Did you replace/check the fins inside the pump or just a new set of seals?

[chromic]

I like to clean the exterior 200% as well as inside of the pumps when I rebuild them, that way I can run a bead of good sillicone around the rear seal as well for a little extra hold, since thats the eal that tends to fail the most.

Did you replace/check the fins inside the pump or just a new set of seals?

Yeah I put some silicone around the edge of the pump housing that attaches to the engine, but not on the seal. I nearly put some on the rear seal, I knew I should have done it for added safety. I put some around where the reservoir meets the pump.

I had a look at the fins when they came out by accident, but I did not replace them with new ones. So basically it was a half baked power steering pump rebuild, lol.