When it comes to the installation of parts in a car, tools play an essential role. Without such tools, you may find it challenging and even complex to install a particular part. Or, you may not be able to install anything at all. The same principle goes with power steering pulley installation. So, you may wonder:
How to install a power steering pulley without a tool? If you want to install a power steering pulley without a tool, you’ll need penetrating oil, a hammer, and a socket. You’ll want to be as careful as possible while doing this procedure as it can damage the pulley along the process. In general, you should buy or borrow a tool.
Installation of a power steering pulley can be pretty simple with the right tools. However, such tools aren’t always available, which means you may want to proceed without such. Still, it would be best to go ahead and get the tools as installing without tools can be risky, and you’ll be prone to more errors. However, if you still want to pursue such, you can follow the steps I’ll mention.
In this article, you’ll see a walk-through on installing a power steering pulley without tools. This way, you can do it on your own, even without any tools. Also, it may help minimize the damage and the risk as you understand how to do it.
Without further ado, let’s get into it!
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Can You Install Power Steering Pulley Without Tool?
You can install a power steering pulley without using the tools for it. However, it can be pretty complicated, and it entails many risks.
As I mentioned earlier, power steering pulleys are easy to install when you have the right tools. However, it’s not something you can run with ease when you have no tools to use.
For instance, alternative tools can damage your pulley and even bend it, making it unusable. For this reason, you should proceed at your disposal.
How Do You Install Power Steering Pulley Without Tool?
If you wish to install a power steering pulley without a tool, you can do so by following these steps:
Lubricate the shaft and pulley.
The first thing to do is to lubricate the pulley and the steering pump shaft. The best lubricant would be penetrating oil. It’s also known as penetrating fluid, and it is an oil with a low viscosity.
This oil comes in handy when you free rusty parts. Thus, it works well when you also install a power steering pulley.
Keep the pump on the floor.
The next thing you’ll do is keep the pump on the floor while the pulley remains at the top of the shaft.
Hammer the pulley lightly.
With gentle force, hammer the pulley to get it squared and started. It would help if you were as gentle as possible to avoid bending the pulley and damaging it.
Assist the shaft with a socket.
After a couple of presses with a hammer, the shaft should slide slowly in the pulley. You’ll want to assist it with another hammer, socket, or shaft. This way, you can lessen the damage and you can minimize the pressure.
Hold the pump against the ground.
As you pound the shaft, maintain the pump pressed against the ground! The aim is to disperse the shock force into the ground while also stiffening the casing.
It is the dangerous part; you might smash that pump shaft straight through the rear of the housing, which is why you should keep it pressed on the floor and proceed slowly.
If you want a visual aid on installing a power steering pulley without tools, you can check out this video clip which is a tutorial of the process.
Can You Put a Pulley on With a Hammer?
You can put a pulley on with a hammer. However, it would be best if you don’t do it that way.
The thing is that hammering down the pulley takes only a tiny force. A little more pressure from the pounding can bend the pulley and damage it, making it unusable.
If you don’t have a hammer, you can use a screw, a couple of nuts, and a screw as a substitute.
Put the nuts on the screw first, then the washers, and finally the pulley on the shafts. Then, into the pump shaft, insert the nut, screw, and bolts.
To drag the pulley onto the pump shaft, grip the pulley and tighten the nut. Then, reduce the tension on the pulley until it is flat with the crankshaft.
What Is the Best Tool to Install Power Steering Pulley?
If you’re looking for the best tool to install your power steering pulley, you may consider one of the following tools we recommend:
OEMTOOLS 27031 Power Steering Pulley Puller
For professional and DIY technicians, this tool is the ideal power steering pulley puller. It is built to endure repeated use, making it an excellent pulley remover for busy retail environments. In addition, the tool comes with two sets of detailed pulley removal guides and a carrying bag.
This item is made to suit most power steering pulleys. It features two screws that precisely fit power steering pulleys from VW, Chrysler, Ford, and GM. Hub diameters of 1-3/8 inch, 1-5/16 inch, 1-14 inch, and 1-1/8 inch are readily removed. In addition, this equipment removes GM V6 engine water pump pulleys and pulleys on certain vacuums.
You may use it to replace and adjust pulleys. The pulley clips and removal bolts are constructed of rugged steel to handle even minor pulley pulling tasks. This power steering pulley puller is intended to last long and is constructed with high standards and quality.
OTC 4531 Harmonic Balancer Puller and Installer Set
You may use a reversing 2-in-1 tool to remove and install power steering pump pulleys and press-fit motors. Other press-fit pulleys with hub sizes of 28mm, 32mm, 34mm, or 35mm may also be easily installed and removed with this excellent OTC pulley puller.
The OTC power steering pulley puller comes with a sturdy plastic container for easy storing. In addition, this kit now includes more brand adapters, giving it more versatility.
GEARWRENCH 41560D Power Steering Pump Puller Set
This third item is a high-quality toolkit for installing and removing power steering pump pulleys on nearly all local automobiles. This removal package includes connectors to accommodate a variety of car models.
The kit is compatible with hubs of various diameters. This puller also includes a fast disconnection tool for pickups weighing 12, 34, and 1 ton.
A 41562 bushing with a screw set, a 3893 disconnection device, and a 41561 bushing with a screw set are among the extra tools included with this pulley puller. All of these items come in a rip container for convenient storage and preservation.
Lisle 39000 Pulley Puller
The fourth is a tremendous yet one-of-a-kind pulley puller that makes replacing the power steering pulley a breeze. This pulley is ideal for serpentine belt pulleys as well as classic V-shaped pulleys.
When compared to other traditional pullers, it operates significantly faster. As a result, it is suitable for the majority of household models.
This type of puller has a well-built shell that entirely encloses the pulley shaft. It includes big and small teeth, pulleys, bolts, joint, nut, washer, long and shot in pulley shaft, grip, and four installation connectors.
To get the most outstanding results, you should oil or lubricate the pressure points and screws before utilizing them.
OTC Tools 4530 Power Steering Pulley Service Set
OTC is well-known popular for its high-quality mechanical equipment manufacturing. This Power Steering Pulley Puller is a complete kit that includes the one you’ll need to set up and replace your power steering pump pulleys on any local car. It’s one of the most excellent pulley pullers on the market.
Summary
In a nutshell, you can install a power steering pulley without any tools. However, it’s pretty complicated, and it entails quite a lot of risks. You can also use a hammer as an alternative tool to install a power steering pulley. However, it may damage your pulley even with a small amount of force. Thus, it would still be best to purchase the tool or borrow one.
As always, you can save money without getting tools. However, if you aren’t familiar with such work, it would still be best to avoid the risks and buy the right tools. With the appropriate tools, you can ensure a sound installation that’s also efficient and quick.
Also Read:
- How to Remove a Pulley Without a Puller?
- How to Remove Rusted Exhaust Bolts?
- New Serpentine Belt Squeal on Startup
- RPM Fluctuates While Driving
- Oil in Intake Manifold
Resources
Image credits – Canva
