RocketyMan

Alright, I needed to change the water pump on my '84 305, and it was a bit of a pain because the power steering would not budge much. I barely got off the last bolt to the water pump by trying to squeeze a socket into the lower part of the water pump.

So what's the deal?! I loosened and even took out all the bolts I could find holding the power steering in and somehow managed to loosen it enough to slide off the belt (barely). You can see in the picture how it should slide to either give more tension on the belt or loose enough to take it off.

It's like the pump doesn't want to move that easily if at all. I can't find anymore bolts that are holding it in or whichever. As always, the Haynes manual BLOWS and I can't search for anything similar.

ex-x-fire

There might be a nut on the back of the p/s pump that needs to be loosened.

paulo57509

Did you loosen this bolt?

RocketyMan

Yeah I took that bolt out. I can crawl under there and should you all the bolts I removed.

RocketyMan

Sorry for not getting back sooner. Over the weekend I had to close and open the next day at work and got little to no sleep.

Anyway, I crawled under and took more pictures showing all the bolts I removed. I still don't get why the power steering won't simply move/adjust like its suppose to. There has to be something still holding it in. I'm hoping I don't have to remove the entire bracket!

paulo57509

Attached is a diagram with the adjusting fasteners boxed in red.

I think you missed this nut as someone else suggested (No. 9 in the attached diagram).

87350IROC

iTrader: (2)

Yup there is another nut on the back. Either 9/16" or 15mm.

RocketyMan

Wow..that is just a perfect diagram to show everything. And now that you mention it, I only recall moving three bolts or nuts. I must have missed it since my engine is rather oily.

Thank you, paul!

xfire was probably referring to that one too.

Mgrecco

I'm fighting the same battle right now with my 86 IROC...thanks for the drawing and the posts. I am actually working on replacing the waterpump and this darn power steering pump stopped me !!!

RocketyMan

I know..and speaking of which..my water pump is already making this whirring sound.... -_-* AGHH!..

Bobby Goff

iTrader: (1)

ok... well i found # 9 ... cant get to it to get it off, i can slip the socket over it (15mm).. but cant seem to find any room to turn it. any suggestions? i dont have an air ratchet btw, that would make this mess a lot easier i know but i dont think i would even have the clearance for it. looks like i would have to remove the AIR lines or at least bend the first one slightly out of the way... and i would love to not have to do that.

paulo57509

Try a flex head ratchet.

Joe Tag

iTrader: (4)

Fine tooth ratchet works, or a shorty. Just did mine today when i put headers on. not much room to work the ratchet. Slow going but it can be done.

Bobby Goff

iTrader: (1)

those are both good ideas.. i was looking it over and it looks as if i just might have to at least take off the bracket at the back of the ac compressor too ..oh well, gives me that last bracket to clean and paint, guess that's just how it was supposed to be. this forum is awesome. got an answer back same day on a 8 month old thread.. thread was most useful too, great diagram. which begs the question-where do i find those diagrams? not all data, def not haynes... so where?

paulo57509

The diagram is from a 1986 Camaro assembly manual. They're for sale on ebay every so often.

Bobby Goff

iTrader: (1)

nice!... good to know, i just so happen to have an 86 Z28 myself... so ya know if ya ever consider selling it ...

sofakingdom

iTrader: (1)

2 things wrong with that:

1. The nut is 9/16", not 15mm.

2. A box-end wrench works AHELLUVALOT better for that, since there's no room for a socket.

Joe Tag

iTrader: (4)

Respectfully contradicting you here. Stock nut is 15 mm with a flare at the bottom so there is no need for a washer. Still a 3/8-16 thread. Ratchet works without a doubt because as I said in former post, I used one yesterday.

Bobby Goff

iTrader: (1)

I'm about 99% sure that i uased a 15 mm less than 2 hours before i had posted that but i had been switching back and forth between the two so the point is mum for me and i would love to be able to use a box end wrench but since the lip on the bracket prevents me from getting at it from the top and I am pretty sure this is the first time that nut has ever been loosened it is on there tight enough to necessitate a breaker bar for the initial twist... i appreciate everyone's help but i think removing that ac compressor bracket is inevitable

Joe Tag

iTrader: (4)

The bracket this nut goes into is held on by two much more accesable bolts, and the compressor bracket. One is the front of the block under the PS pump, the other is the front exhaust manifold stud/bolt. Take the pump completely off with the bracket if you have no other option and loosen the nut. Easier to tighten the nut than break it loose when you put it back together.

Bobby Goff

iTrader: (1)

right on... by now i already have most brackets pulled off and painted so doing this is just one more piece by now.

sofakingdom

iTrader: (1)

It's 9/16". Doesn't too much matter what "you used"; most important thing is, WHAT IT IS.

Wrench works great. Been using one on that nut on my car (a 9/16" wrench BTW) for 30 years now. Yours might need one with an offset, as some of those brackets are "deeper" than others.

Joe Tag

iTrader: (4)

Not going to argue with you here. Nearly 13,000 posts does not mean you are always right. it does however mean you spend a lot of time blogging. If you have been working on cars for 30 years (I have as well) you know a 15mm will not take off a 9/16 nut. I took mine off with a 15. Possibly they used both, possibly your nut had been changed. But dont assume your conclusion is the only possible one. Mine is 15, apparently his is as well.

thirdchance

Hi Guys: I just had to remove that horrible nut last month on my 86 LG4 original low mileage Calif car during another project. The nominal 15mm nut hex is slightly tapered getting larger the farther you try to put the wrench on. Also a 3/8 UNC nut like a manifold nut will not thread onto the stud.......see photo with sizes

sofakingdom

iTrader: (1)

Whatever size yours happens to be, use a box-end wrench; maybe with an offset. What fits, fits. Don't bother with a ratchet & socket.

Joe Tag

iTrader: (4)

Seriously not trying to cause any more debate here. But apparently they did use a few different fasteners. Because when I went to put mine back together I started the 3/8 - 16 nut from exhaust manifold stud on it, got it snug by hand. Went to put the 15mm socket on it which I knew I took it off with and immediately realised my mistake. So lets just go with the "it is what it is".

Bobby Goff

iTrader: (1)

i wish mine was something else.... i am at the point where i need to take the nut off and dont ya know it... i have every wrench but the 15mm!! .. i have a couple more places to look but didnt have the time for it yesterday. i know that i have bagged up and i.d.'d a few different sizes around there like they couldnt make up their mind... this car certainly was not designed for someone to be able to work on in their own garage (proof is in the fact that that you have to jack the car up to get at the #6 and #8 spark plugs with any ease... #5 was no fun either)