Replacing the power steering on a 2007 Chevy Malibu is not difficult, but it requires a special tool. The Malibu has a cast aluminum bracket attached to the front of the engine that supports the power steering pump. The pump has a press-on pulley, which must be removed with a special puller. It will not come off with any other method or force. The pump has a built-in reservoir.
Open the cap on the power steering reservoir and siphon out as much power steering fluid as possible. Place a wrench on the serpentine belt tensioner and push it away from the belt to relax tension. Lift the belt off the power steering pulley.
Remove the engine support lift in front of the power steering pulley using a socket to remove the three bolts. Place the power steering pulley tool in place on the nose of the pulley by turning the center shaft clockwise to thread it into the pump shaft.
Place the two clamshell pieces over the lip on the pulley nose and on the lip of the tool. Place the metal securing ring over the clamshells. Hold the head of the center shaft with a socket and turn the large nut that the shaft runs through counterclockwise with a wrench to remove the pulley.
Remove the high-pressure feed line using a line wrench. Remove the low-pressure return line using the Phillips screwdriver to loosen the clamp. Pull the hose off. Remove the three bolts securing the pump to the mounting bracket using a socket, and remove the pump.
Install the two power steering lines. Install the new pump and tighten the bolts firmly. Place the pulley over the pump shaft and push it on as far as possible. Thread the tool into the pump shaft clockwise. Turn the center nut clockwise until it contacts the pulley nose. Hold the head of the center shaft with a wrench, and with another wrench, turn the center nut clockwise to push the pulley onto the shaft.
Install the engine lift support. Place the wrench on the tensioner pulley and push it away from the belt to create slack. Lift the belt over the power steering pulley and relax the tension on the wrench.
Fill the power steering pump reservoir with fluid. Start the engine and turn the steering wheel all the way to the left, then the right, several times until all the air is evacuated. Top off the fluid as necessary.
