How to Change the Power Steering Pump on a 1990 Lexus ES250

The 1990 Lexus ES250 is powered by a 2.5-liter six-cylinder engine and an automatic transmission. The power steering pump is located on the passenger side of the vehicle and is driven by a belt that is connected to the crankshaft pulley. Replacement of the power steering pump requires disconnecting the passenger side outer tie-rod end from the steering knuckle. The vehicle will need to have a front-end alignment once the power steering pump replacement is complete.

Instructions

Removal

1

Park the vehicle on a flat surface and set the parking brake. Lift the vehicle hood and support it with the hood prop rod.

2

Break loose the lug nuts on the passenger side front wheel with the lug wrench. Lift the front of the vehicle into the air with the floor jack and place the jack stands under the front frame rails of the vehicle. Lower the vehicle until it rests securely on the floor jacks. Remove the passenger side front wheel from the vehicle.

3

Attach the tie-rod end removal tool to the outer tie-rod end and steering knuckle. Tighten the tool with the socket and ratchet until the tie-rod end is released from the steering knuckle.

4

Loosen the power steering pump pivot bolt and lower mounting bolt with the socket and ratchet. Pivot the power steering pump toward the crankshaft pulley and remove the power steering belt from the power steering pulley.

5

Place the drain pan under the power steering pump. Loosen the pressure clamp for the power steering suction hose and slide it up the hose about four inches. Remove the suction hose from the power steering pump and allow it to drain into the drain pan. Remove the power steering reservoir cap and remove all old power steering fluid with a suction gun.

6

Place the 17 mm line wrench over the pressure hose banjo bolt and remove the banjo bolt. Pull the pressure hose and pressure hose gasket off of the power steering pump. Allow the pressure hose to drain into the drain pan.

7

Support the power steering pump with one hand. Remove the pivot and lower mounting bolt. Lift the inner tie-rod up and remove the power steering pump from the vehicle. Drain the old power steering pump into the drain pan.

Installation

8

Prime the new power steering pump with new power steering fluid by pouring it into the pressure line fitting. Lift up on the inner tie-rod and hold the new power steering pump in position. Install the pivot and lower mounting bolt and leave them loose.

9

Install the power steering belt onto the crank shaft pulley and power steering pulley. Tilt the power steering pump away from the engine until the power steering belt is tight and hold the pump so that the belt remains tight. Tighten the pivot bolt until it is tight enough to hold tension on the power steering belt. Tighten the lower mounting bolt to 29 foot-pounds of torque and tighten the pivot bolt to 30 foot-pounds of torque with the torque wrench.

10

Install the power steering suction hose and slide the pressure clamp down the line to secure it to the power steering pump. Place a new pressure hose gasket over the end of the pressure hose fitting and set it into place on the power steering pump. Install the banjo bolt and tighten to 38 foot-pounds of torque with the small torque wrench.

11

Install the outer tie-rod end into the steering knuckle. Install a new castle nut onto the outer tie-rod end and tighten to 36 foot-pounds of torque. Install a new cotter pin through the castle nut and tie-rod end.

12

Install the passenger side front wheel onto the vehicle and hand tighten the lug nuts.

13

Fill the power steering reservoir with new power steering fluid. Start the engine and allow it to run until the idle drops below 1,000 rpm. Turn the steering wheel all the way left and hold it at the stop for five seconds. Turn the wheel all the way to the right and hold it at the stop for five seconds. Repeat turning the steering wheel back and forth at least three times.

14

Check the fluid level at the power steering reservoir and shut off the engine. Check the power steering fluid level with the engine off -- the level should not have risen more the one fifth of an inch. If the fluid level has risen dramatically, repeat the bleeding process to remove any air stuck in the system. Top off the fluid reservoir to full. Shut the vehicle hood.

15

Lift the vehicle off of the jack stands and remove the jack stands. Lower the vehicle to the ground. Tighten the lug nuts to 76 foot-pounds of torque.

16

Take the vehicle to a repair shop for a front-end alignment.