How to Replace a 1986 Bronco II Power Steering Pump

The 1986 Bronco II power steering pump utilizes a singular dedicated V-belt to drive the pump. The pump pulley is pressed on and requires a tool to remove it. Power steering pumps are replaced due to either a leak in the front seal or a defective pressure relief valve. This valve causes a loud buzzing noise when the spring tension weakens, allowing fluid bypass.

• 1

  Remove the power steering belt by loosening the two adjusting bolts with a socket. The front bolt is in the adjusting groove in the mounting bracket and the other is in the rear of the pump. The rear bolt is in the mounting bracket. Once these are loose, push the pump in toward the center of the engine to relieve the tension on the belt and lift the belt off the pump pulley.

• 2

  Place the pulley remover tool over the snout on the pulley. Hold the tool in place and thread the center post in by hand as far as possible. The front of the pulley will grab the nose or snout lip in the center of the pulley, while the center post will press the pulley off. While holding the body of the tool, thread the center post in clockwise using a wrench. It will push against the inside pump shaft and drive the pulley off.

• 3

  Place the drain pan under the power steering pump. Remove the low pressure return hose using a screwdriver to loosen the clamp and pull the hose off. Allow the power steering fluid to drain in the pan. Remove the high-pressure hose from the pump using a line wrench.

• 4

  Remove the three bolts located in the mounting bracket in the front of the pump, that secure the pump to the bracket, with a socket. Lift the pump out of the vehicle.

• 5

  Install the new pump in the mounting bracket and insert and tighten the three retaining bolts. Install the high-pressure hose using a line wrench. Install the low pressure return hose by pushing it on the power steering pump port and tightening the hose clamp with the screwdriver.

• 6

  Install the pulley using the same tool -- just remove the clamps from the body of the tool. Thread the center post clockwise in the pump shaft until it bottoms out and then back it up a half turn. Hold the center post with a wrench, so it does not move, and use another wrench to turn the center body clockwise to push the pulley on the shaft. Stop when the pump shaft is even with the nose of the pulley.

• 7

  Place the belt on the pulley and pull the pump away from the engine to tension the belt. Tighten the two adjuster bolts with a socket when the tension has been achieved. Fill the power steering pump with power steering fluid. Start the vehicle and turn the steering wheel slowly to one side, then the other, to bleed the air out of the new pump. Check the fluid one more time. Top it off as needed.