Pontiac: 95 Grand Am water pump, gasket surfaces, impeller shaft

Question
Hi...I have a 95 Grand Am w/ 2.3 liter Quad 4. The water pump died and I decided to change it. Got the old one out and when I went to install the new pump, well, thats when it got interesting. The new pump bottoms out in the splined receiver before the pump itself will meet the gasket surfaces. Ive compared this pump to several others and the impeller shaft has been installed properly. Is this an indication that the bearing in the front cover has died also? And if so, whats the proper way to check/replace that bearing? Its only about 3/16" out, but it might as well be a mile. Thanks for the help!

Answer
It sounds to me like you pulled the shaft out when you removed the pump and now it is not all the way back in. Try tapping it back in with a small hammer. Tap it lightly, dont beat it in.
To replace the bearing you have to remove the front cover and the timing chain.