99 Taurus power steering pulley remove/install

[Mikedh990]

I recently replaced my power steering pulley. From the sounds of it though, it might be the pulley that's chirping. I've had a few opinions but I'm not sure which one might be the best. It could either not be on all the way, there could be an eyelid that's on the shaft and it needs to be perfectly aligned, or that it could be the power steering component itself.
My wife and I just started driving it recently after buying it used and I've been doing any and almost all repairs on it myself with almost no experience on mechanic work. So any and all help would be absolutely amazing. Thank you!

[JW657]

Originally Posted by Mikedh990

I recently replaced my power steering pulley. From the sounds of it though, it might be the pulley that's chirping. I've had a few opinions but I'm not sure which one might be the best. It could either not be on all the way, there could be an eyelid that's on the shaft and it needs to be perfectly aligned, or that it could be the power steering component itself.
My wife and I just started driving it recently after buying it used and I've been doing any and almost all repairs on it myself with almost no experience on mechanic work. So any and all help would be absolutely amazing. Thank you!

If you have the OHV 3.0 Vulcan, you might want to look into the Cam Synchronizer issue these engines have. It causes a chirping noise on the drivers side of the engine. It can totally fail and then you lose oil pressure which will cause total engine failure.

What was wrong with the P/S pulley?

You could always try and start it without the serpentine belt, to isolate the noise. Just don't run it for more than a few minutes and do it while the engine is cold. Does it sound like a power steering pump whine?

[Mikedh990]

I don think I have the Vulcan, this is actually the first I've heard of it. The old steering pulley was old and causing problem, I mean the outer ring broke off when I was trying toget it out. The noise is deffinetley comin from the passenger side too, the guys at my local parts store said its either this pulley, the idler pulley, water pump or another pulley that they say is a big one and you have to prop the engine up to get to it. I know after I take the pulley off the p/s I'm going to spin the shaft to see if it might be the actual component.

[JW657]

Originally Posted by Mikedh990

I don think I have the Vulcan, this is actually the first I've heard of it. The old steering pulley was old and causing problem, I mean the outer ring broke off when I was trying toget it out. The noise is deffinetley comin from the passenger side too, the guys at my local parts store said its either this pulley, the idler pulley, water pump or another pulley that they say is a big one and you have to prop the engine up to get to it. I know after I take the pulley off the p/s I'm going to spin the shaft to see if it might be the actual component.

If the P/S pump pulley is not damaged or bent, I would suspect some other pulley being the issue, or the pump itself. You need to take the serpentine belt off and check for play/noise in all of the pulleys. They should turn very smoothly, with very slight resistance. If any make noise or have play, you need to replace it.

[Mikedh990]

Well that sounds like a huge amount of fun haha

[Lgbpop]

Not difficult at all, really. What's the VIN's 8th character? Should be a letter, U or I think a Y?

[willyum]

Proper alignment of the pump pulley on the Vulcan is important and not commonly known.
The shaft of the pump should be flush coming thru the outside of the pulley. I had to move mine back and forth a couple times to get that alignment. If it is really snug and stiff to slide, then it is correct.
(if it is off, don't think it will generate a "chirp".)

[Mikedh990]

Originally Posted by willyum

Proper alignment of the pump pulley on the Vulcan is important and not commonly known.
The shaft of the pump should be flush coming thru the outside of the pulley. I had to move mine back and forth a couple times to get that alignment. If it is really snug and stiff to slide, then it is correct.
(if it is off, don't think it will generate a "chirp".)

Well, after fighting with the pulley I decided to just put it back where it was (or at least close) and I ended up starting the car without the belt so it's not the main pulley or chain. One guy at the local part store suggested cleaning the pulleys and replacing the belt, that's what I'm doing now. The spray the used car lot was using and another person recommending is actually eating the belt. So in all the belt is being eaten by that spray. We'll see what happens next lol.

[behlinla]

Originally Posted by Mikedh990

Well, after fighting with the pulley I decided to just put it back where it was (or at least close) and I ended up starting the car without the belt so it's not the main pulley or chain.

You probably already know this, but don't run the engine more than a minute or two with the belt off due to the risk of overheating since the water pump isn't turning. Just wanted make sure.

[Mikedh990]

Originally Posted by Lgbpop

Not difficult at all, really. What's the VIN's 8th character? Should be a letter, U or I think a Y?

The 8th character in the vin is a U, if you know how to find that out I would be extremely greatful. I tried to google it, but didn't get much off of that.