What size bolt to install Power Steering Pulley? Should I use M8, M10, or bigger? Find out more in this article
A lot of people find themselves confused about what size of the bolt to install a power steering pulley.
An M10 size is too big, and the next lower size, M8, is too small for the purpose. Let’s dive deep into the problem and find out the solution.
All You Need to Know About Power Steering Pulley
Before getting into the process of installing a power steering pulley, you need to have enough data about the pulley.
What is a Power Steering Pulley?
A power steering pulley combines two pulleys, namely the driver and the driven pulley joined together by a serpentine belt. A power steering pulley is present in the engine of a truck or any automobile, along with a power steering pump that works as an amplifier where it speeds up the engine.
What is its Use?
The power steering pump enables the hydraulic piston to work by circulating the fluid. The power steering pulley allows the pump to work faster to speed up the engine.
It is used in most vehicles along with the pump. The pulley has to be bought separately and does not come with a pump. But it is important to install the pulley.
Why Should You Not Drive Without Power Steering Pulley?
The power Steering pulley helps to work the pump. Suppose you choose to remove the pulley instead of replacing it. That could cause damage to the pump.
The pump is more expensive than the pulley. Hence it is advised not to drive without the steering pulley.
Why Does It Become Loose, And How Can We Fix It?
There are two possible reasons behind a loose pulley. Either the belt could get loose, or the pulley itself must have dug holes into it.
The power steering pulley has to withstand high temperature and pressure, damaging parts, such as the belt.
The fragile pulley cannot be fixed, and it has to be replaced. The damage could be avoided by regularly checking the power steering system and spraying a lubricating substance on the belt.
The lubrication will help reduce friction between the belt and the pulley wheels, therefore decreasing belt breakage.
How To Install Power Steering Pulley
If you have a few tools lying at your home, you can install the power steering pulley by yourself at home.
Symptoms Of A Loose Pulley
In most cases, the power steering pulley breaks without your knowledge.
You will notice when it’s completely broken. When you are driving, if you hear a rattling sound from the engine, it could be because of the broken pulley.
A mild burning smell from the engine could be another hint of a broken pulley. The smell indicates that the pulley is not working, maybe because the belt is not tight enough.
A broken belt will end up heating the pulley system. A heated-up power steering system might affect the fasteners of the steering wheel, making it jumpy.
One major effect that a broken pulley can bring is a complete failure of the steering. Failure of the steering wheel could be because of multiple reasons, but the most probable one is a broken power steering system, including the pump and the pulley.
How To Remove A Faulty Power Steering Pulley?
First of all, you need to locate the power steering pump along with the pulley. After locating the system, find the adjustment bolt that keeps them in place.
Now, you need to loosen the adjustment bolt using a socket and a ratchet.
For the next step, use a mole wrench to hold the pulley preventing it from spinning. On the other hand, rotate the securing nut in a clockwise direction until it comes out.
Once the nut comes out, you can easily pull the pulley out from the shaft.
How To Install A New Power Steering Pulley?
- To install a new power steering pulley into the power steering pump shaft, first, you need a rag to protect the new pulley.
- Then use the mole wrench to hold the pulley in its place.
- Then use a wrench to tighten up the securing nut by rotating it in an anticlockwise direction.
- Now you should check the level of the power steering fluid and fill it up to full.
- You should test if the pulley is working properly before going out with the car.
Precaution
It is advised to unplug the battery’s wires while working on the engine or power steering system. Only after your work is done, you may plug those wires into their location.
Answers To More Questions About Power Steering Pulleys
What tool is needed to remove and install a power steering pump pulley?
You would need a socket and a ratchet, a bolt, and a mole wrench to remove and install a power steering pulley.
How do you tighten a power steering pulley nut?
You need to grasp the pulley with the help of a mole wrench and then rotate the nut in an anticlockwise direction to tighten it.
Are power steering pump pulleys held in place by a press fit?
Yes, sometimes power steering pulleys are held by a press fit. But over time, the pulley gets locked. It then becomes too tight to be removed by hand.
Can you hammer on a power steering pulley?
Yes. One of the easiest methods to remove a pulley is to place the socket against the pulley and back of the bolt. Then hammer it to loosen the bolt.
Bolt Size Required To Install A Power Steering Pulley.
It seems that there is perfect bolt size when it comes to a power steering pulley. A ⅜ coarse bolt has worked for the majority of the people, but few concluded that it did not work for their system. Try a ⅜ coarse bolt. If it does not work, you can get a power steering pulley installation kit. It comes with every tool that you might need to remove and install a power steering pulley at home.
