QuestionHello, I am trying to fit a used power steering pump into place, on my 1988 Chrysler New Yorker Landau with 3.0 litre V6 engine. I was able to get the old one out, only because it fell apart -- the pulley and shaft separated from the pump.
Haynes Manual says to disconnect the exhaust pipe from the manifold, which I did. The new power steering pump is supposed to fit in between the front suspension crossmember and the floor board, but it was hard to fit the old one, without the pulley, through there.
A junk yard told me they remove the right drive axle to provide the clearance. I really don't want to get into that.
Will the pump fit in between the cross member and the underside of the floor board, if the cross member bolts are removed, and the cross member is lowered down slightly with a jack? Would I have to disconnect the tie rod ends first? Would I have to disconnect the U-bolt at the steering column, and bring the cross member down even lower, in order to fit the pump through there?
Are there other, simpler ways to do this?
Your help would be greatly appreciated.
from Why Do They Make Cars Like This Anyway, to Get You to Buy a New One (Ha ha)?
AnswerHi Andy,
I personally haven't performed a power pump replacement on the 3.0L engine. The manuals I have are interesting in that the '89 is rather non-specific as which engine is involved and it doesn't seem to recognize the problem you describe. On the other hand, the '94 manual which I suspect was prepared after the C-body New Yorker was retired? does indeed differentiate the problem as to the engine that is involved and has a 12 step procedure for the V6 that does include removing the exhaust pipe from the exhaust manifold and moving the pipe to the left side of the vehicle. After dealing with the hoses the pump support bracket is removed from the pump and from the manifold. After removing the pump from the mounting plate (bolts accessed with long sockets thru the pulley slots) it says that the pump can be removed via the space between the crossmember and the floor pan. You may have to orient the pump in just the proper way to get it thru and use the pathway thru the exhaust pipe tunnel in the floor pan to get it there. Install the new one thru that same pathway.
On the half axle issue, I suspect that might be easier than the alternative of the crossmember you were considering if you can't otherwise do it. I have pulled the half shafts out of the steering knuckles on my LeBaron with no difficulty other than having a socket large enough for the axle nut, and of course a torque wrench to reset all the assembled fittings. I can xerox the pages in the '94 manual that lists the steps and snail mail it to you on Monday. You might try to ask the same question of the other "expert" Pete, except that he only handles 1 question a day and so you will need to keep watching for his availability. Let me know a postal address if you want the pages from the manual.
Roland
