I baked off the steering pump pulley.. What now?

[mancho]

Well from my previous post about the squeaking bearing wick I would have bet my life it was the alternator... Was the pulley on the power steering pump.

Discovered this when I was smartly sitting near the engine and smelled rubber and sure right the puley and belt was smoking hot and I gave that pulley another 10 min max.

Tried to limp it to the dock but it came off from pump and belt came off.

So should I just get the auto zone pullerand get a new pump or rebuilt?

I am pretty confident the pulley disengaged because the pump bearings are seizing.

ideas?

1998 350 mericruiser 2 bbl carb. 5.7

 

[jayrodoh]

Re: I baked off the steering pump pulley.. What now?

Seen that on cars too, pump starts to seize, shaft is lubed from leaking seal, and the pulley works it way off.

If it's anything like a car, the pump comes with or without the reservoir. The mounting studs hold the pump in.

You might want to replace that pulley if she spun on there too long. Cheap insurance.

 

[John_S]

Re: I baked off the steering pump pulley.. What now?

If that was a plastic pulley, it has been superceded by a metal one that is larger diameter and a longer belt.

See info: http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=504343

 

[mancho]

Re: I baked off the steering pump pulley.. What now?

Its not plastic... My mechanic asked that too.

Since the pulley is toast I have to replace that anyway.

The Pump its the most expensive part not the pulley. I'm smelling 500 from 2 hours mechanic rate of 95 and 200or so in rebuilt part. No chrome here.

Can I do this with local parts in dallas in an afternoon?

 

[mancho]

Re: I baked off the steering pump pulley.. What now?

Ok thanks for all the posts and links ... I followed them all and it looks like maybe it could be plastic because it seems smaller.

Wth. Why would anyone use plastic parts on the critical area like that?

SoUnless there is a big mericruiser parts house in dallas... That this might not happen unless auto zone has some magic hack.

 

[littlebookworm]

Re: I baked off the steering pump pulley.. What now?

The pump itself is really a GM auto pump. You can find one at any auto parts store or auto salvage yard. There's nothing marine about it. Just check as to whether your has a metric fitting or an American fitting. You do have to get the correct pulley. Mercruiser was using plastic pulleys for a while, but had a major recall on them because the pulleys were breaking. Hy

 

[mancho]

Re: I baked off the steering pump pulley.. What now?

Ok last stupid question. Do I need too get a fluid pump and drain it dry first or can I capture most of it when taking the hoses off the pump.

I will check the mericruiser instructions in the service manual.

 

[mancho]

Re: I baked off the steering pump pulley.. What now?

Wait a sec. There is a possibility that the pump is fine and the plastic pulley just failed?

I was thinking we didn't have any steering problems prior to the pulley coming off. However the fact remains that it was stuck at some point because it was slowing down the belt enough to create the burn smell.

CheapEnough insurance to buy a rebuilt and do it right the first time. But if the pump spins freely then I will think its ok. What is the symptums of failing pump? Stiff steering? I don't think we had any.

 

[littlebookworm]

Re: I baked off the steering pump pulley.. What now?

A bad pump will give stiff or choppy steering movement, leakage, or frozen movement. If the pulley is shot but the shaft is fine, you can pick up the replacement metal pulley and new, longer belt from any marine supply house. On the Boatered.com site, the part numbers have been given a number of times. I never wrote them down because our engine's pulley is the steel one. Try changing the pulley and seeing what happens. I believe the pulley is pressed on, a simple job for any auto or marine parts shop, usuiaaly done for free if you buy the parts there. Make sure you get the measurement as to how far to press on the pulley. That keeps the belt alignment correct. Don't forget to check the belt idler pulley and bushing. They do wear out and should be replaced if there's even a little wobble in them. The specification/measurement will be available with the replacement pulley and belt. You don't have to use a turkey baster to get the oil out before disconnecting the hoses, but it is cleaner and neater that way. Hy

 

[John_S]

Re: I baked off the steering pump pulley.. What now?

The part numbers are in the SB that was in DonS post in the thread I linked to. It is probably 57-861758A 1 but if you have closed cooling or dual engines, there are some different part numbers.

 

[mancho]

Re: I baked off the steering pump pulley.. What now?

Ok. Got the belt and new pully kit. Bad news if the pump bearing is roasted, the best price I can get I found is 450 plus tax locally.

I see it on flea bay for 399 to low of 286 in an auction.

L astcheap effort is to take to a local shop and see if they can replace bearings.

Whadda think? Ill know tonight if the bearings are toast on the pump.

 

[mancho]

Re: I baked off the steering pump pulley.. What now?

SoHow can auto zone be a 49 with core trade in?

AndWith or wo reservoir?

That price discrepancy is too huge. I'm missing something here.