One more question on my timing belt job: I'd like to replace all the pulleys but am having a tough time removing the power steering pump to get access to the last one. Seems like all the necessary bolts are buried (I'm doing this in the engine bay).

Any tips or advice on how to remove it? I only need to slide it over about an inch.

Thanks.

 

No tips other than it's difficult, but possible. I used normal hand tools - wrenches, ratchets, sockets, flex end ratcheting wrenches. I didn't remove the radiator or anything other than what's needed to do the belts and pulleys. This is also a good time to change the accessory belt idler pulley as the engine needs to be lowered to remove the bolt.

 

i thought you just unbolt the thing.
maybe im missing something

 

Basically this..

 

I was asking more like: how did you get certain tools to the bolts with the thing still in the engine bay? I couldn't get anything on the long cross-bolt without my wrench hitting the radiator or the exhaust manifold.

There's also the one behind the pulley that is slightly below the wheel well. Couldn't figure either one of those out with what I had available.

That timing idler was in good shape and the bearings rolled super smooth with no cross play, so I decided to punt on this one. But I do still want to know in case I ever have to change the power steering pump.

Thanks all.

 

You don't take the pump off the bracket, you take the bracket off the engine with the pump attached.

 

Good to know. I tried the bracket approach first, but I could not get a wrench on the third bolt (between the pump and the bracket), which is why I was then trying to remove the pump first.

It's like I need a really long open end wrench with one end filed down to get on the bolt and get a partial turn in. Once loosened I can see the rest of the removal being easier.

The two underneath the pump were accessible, but was caught between socket lengths. Something I'm sure I could have solved given enough time, extensions, different brand sockets, and what not.

Thanks. I might give it one more go tomorrow night before buttoning up the engine.

 

Just looked at it again and I think I was looking at the wrong bolt for the third bolt. It looks like there's another bolt under the heat shield that I didn't see earlier (it got a dark sheen on it, not brass colored like the other ones; blended right in). That looks like the third bolt in the service manual and it's a lot easier to get at. I will definitely take another run at this to replace the idler tomorrow night.

 

Thanks for the input again.

Got in there and got the power steering pump off. It stayed on its bracket, but then there's a second bracket that's blocking the pulley, but once everything was off the swap was simple. Didn't even need to detension the timing belt (but I double checked the marks and tension afterwards). Removing the exhaust header heat shield was a must and after that it was just going through every combo of socket length, ratchet, and breaker bar until I found the one that fit.

Also took a second look at the serpentine pulley -- it was a bit rusty and wobbly for my tastes, so I will swap it this time. Got the part on order last night along with a new heat shield (old one rusted so bad the screws had nothing to hold onto.

 

I got the serpentine idler from Advance Auto. They had it in stock and I drive the only Evo in the city.