Vacuum Pump removal process, V belt

[crowmeyocks]

I’m finding conflicting info on the steps to remove the vacuum pump and exchange the pulley. From what I’m seeing I have to pull the pulley first with the V belt set up. I use a rental power steering puller, unless it doesn’t fit—then buy the harbor freight kit. That sound right? Or can I get the whole deal out with a 10mm and then use the pulley tool? Working with a bus. Just need to know what order to work in, whether I’d rather put my chips on getting into a tough spot by a hardware store, auto shop, or church.

 

[Randy Bush]

Why is it that you are trying to change just the pulley. Use a 10mm to remove the 3 bolts pump comes right off.

 

[IDIoit]

buy a quality pulley puller. the ones at vatozone and horrible freight suck, and will likely give you a lot of grief

 

[Kizer]

PartsGeek link to pump w/ pulley

https://www.partsgeek.com/gbproduct...2A6GLbQeseKPvrhIlYKyOrtvJJG-jqixoCZB8QAvD_BwE

 

[Cubey]

I have the Napa tool set 39000, works great. I've had to swap the pulley on both my IDI's vacuum pumps with it. It's on sale right now for $61, normally $78. I paid about $75ish 2 years ago, full retail price because I was on the road in my truck when the pump went out. The free rental tools wouldn't fit the concave pulley.

I remove the vacuum pump first then remove the pulley. I install it to the new pump before installing the pump.

 

[IDIBRONCO]

I remove the vacuum pump first then remove the pulley. I install it to the new pump before installing the pump.

I think it would be much easier this way.

 

[Cubey]

I think it would be much easier this way.

It certainly isn't hard. The first time, the Napa guys showed me how to use the tool so I did it right on their counter.

Second time, I just laid it on the carpeted step up into the RV.

The hardest part is assembling the tool properly for pulling vs installing. That's what takes the most time. Then it will come right off easily with just hand tools.

 

[IDIBRONCO]

The hardest part is assembling the tool properly for pulling vs installing. That's what takes the most time. Then it will come right off easily with just hand tools.

I also try to remember to look at how far the pulley is pressed onto the shaft before removing it. I don't know if putting it in a different position on the shaft could give belt alignment issues or not, but I try to play it safe.

 

[Cubey]

If the shaft tip is basically flush with the center part of the pulley around the hole, its fine in my opinion. That's about as far as it will go on too. At least that's how I've done it. It's only going between itself and the alternator so it only has to align with one other pulley.

 

[IDIBRONCO]

Maybe I'm thinking about the power steering pump then. I remember that I was putting a pulley back on something one time and I got to wondering about how far the pulley goes on so I checked another one. I had the pulley all the way on the shaft with at least 1/4" of the shaft sticking past the pulley so I pulled it back out to about flush just in case.

 

[Cubey]

Maybe I'm thinking about the power steering pump then. I remember that I was putting a pulley back on something one time and I got to wondering about how far the pulley goes on so I checked another one. I had the pulley all the way on the shaft with at least 1/4" of the shaft sticking past the pulley so I pulled it back out to about flush just in case.

Maybe there is extra shaft and I'm just just remembering wrong. In any case, flush seems right to me. It's on enough that it can't come off and after over a year and a half on the truck it was still going fine when I parked it for storing it. The Napa kit lets you see the shaft some when installing so you can judge it pretty easily if you are using a wrench or socket. Just take it slow when you start getting close to having it flush.

I haven't had to do power steering pumps *knock on wood* on either one so I can't comment on changing the pulleys on them.

 

[IDIBRONCO]

I haven't had to do power steering pumps *knock on wood* on either one so I can't comment on changing the pulleys on them.

From my experience, the pulleys on a vacuum pump are much tighter on the shaft. I may be wrong, but the pulleys on a power steering pump seem to come off easier. I did have one vacuum pump that I thought I was going to break something before the pulley even started to move. That could have been an exception to the rule though.

 

[Cubey]

From my experience, the pulleys on a vacuum pump are much tighter on the shaft. I may be wrong, but the pulleys on a power steering pump seem to come off easier. I did have one vacuum pump that I thought I was going to break something before the pulley even started to move. That could have been an exception to the rule though.

Oh, it does take a little muscle to start it. The Napa guys helped hold the truck's still but it wasn't THAT bad. Maybe yours was just really stick on for some reason.

Come to think of it. I might have used the HFT electric impact to pull the RV's off just to make things that much easier on myself. I'm unsure though. Even if I did it by hand, it was a minute or two out of one day, many months ago. I wouldn't have used it to install though, due to risk of damage from being crooked and all that.

 

[Selahdoor]

Oh, it does take a little muscle to start it. The Napa guys helped hold the truck's still but it wasn't THAT bad. Maybe yours was just really stick on for some reason.

Come to think of it. I might have used the HFT electric impact to pull the RV's off just to make things that much easier on myself. I'm unsure though. Even if I did it by hand, it was a minute or two out of one day, many months ago. I wouldn't have used it to install though, due to risk of damage from being crooked and all that.

Love that HF electric impact! Only problem I have is the little circle spring thingy on the tip got caught in a socket and then went bye bye. Now you have to work to keep a socket on there.

 

[Cubey]

Love that HF electric impact! Only problem I have is the little circle spring thingy on the tip got caught in a socket and then went bye bye. Now you have to work to keep a socket on there.

Yep, I rebuilt the front end of my F250 with it, including pressing in the ball joints with the free rental kit.