Are you guys 100% sure.....

[Shadetreemechanic]

It just behooves someone doing it to not pull the housing off, why add the potential risk?? Why would anyone argue to do it that way? No one here has said its impossible merely that it just doenst make good sense to do it that way. Its like wrapping your arm around your head to scratch your nose, sure you can do it, but why would you?

I see so much stacked against pulling the housing, so, lets here it for those who think its a better idea, what is the positives for doing it that way? Hmm? I know this kid will never do it that way unless I have a timing issue in the front cover.

I haven't read much in this thread that says its a better idea. I certainly didn't say that. The OP has a van and didn't think he could get the pump out the front without removing the gear cover, so I and others were letting him know how to do it in the least painful way. I am a mechanic who will now remove extra stuff in my way any time it is possible to avoid wrenching in a tight spot.

 

[bagpiperjosh]

guys who here has actually tried both ways. Im betting no one that advises against it has tried pulling it with the cover. No one has mentioned WHY the method in the video is bad. "just dont do it" wont cut it.

However, if you pull the pump like that, and try to put a new one on to the old housing-can the pump be bolted on in different ways (in 120 degree intervals) or is it only 1 way. If one way-again, i dont see a problem. if your marks line up-your timed. if they dont, spin it. Just make sure the crank stays put.

See i did pull the cover off and had no problems. i'm no mechanic, but i did body work, and i do all my home renovations and etc. so you might say im pretty good with hands on stuff... that being said, You are better off leaving it on, so there is no chance of screwing it up. but it's your truck, so do whatever you want.

 

[tbirdfiend281]

I haven't read much in this thread that says its a better idea. I certainly didn't say that. The OP has a van and didn't think he could get the pump out the front without removing the gear cover, so I and others were letting him know how to do it in the least painful way. I am a mechanic who will now remove extra stuff in my way any time it is possible to avoid wrenching in a tight spot.

On my personal stuff, I do that often, on my professional stuff, I am more of a do as little harm as possible theory, witch includes touching as little bolts as I have to. That being said, OP pulled it out of the back, its the best way to do the pump on the van, to remove the gear isnt going to gain you enough to outweigh the risk.

It is a different situation when your removing the pump and also doing a tach pump gear cover.

 

[Clb]

I love it when someone answers an o.p.'s question with an experianced responce and then gets greif over it.
the book is usually purty close (can be shortcut sometimes)