The band Cinderella is best known for its hit song “Don't Know What You Got (Till It's Gone)” but the exact opposite would be the best way to sum up the results from our Power Steering Pump install on our 7.3L Power Stroke. Until we installed this pump that we ordered online from Summit Racing Equipment, we had no idea just how bad the steering had really become. Simply put, we didn’t know what we had (till it was replaced).
The need to swap out the power steering pump wasn’t exactly a surprise. Bigger tires with a little bit of lift tend to wear out these pumps quicker and with around 168,000 miles on our Ford it was time to send the stock one into retirement.
To get started we took our truck to Rosenberg Automotive in Lewisville, Idaho. This is a shop that we’ve worked with in the past and owner Matt Rosenberg always goes the extra mile to make sure we’re happy with the results. He’s meticulous and unwilling to compromise and those are just two of the characteristics that help make him a great mechanic. When we pulled the truck in he was eager to get started and get our 7.3L back on the road.
Tear Down
[Install—Pump (1)]
For the first step, the belts are removed and the process of reaching the stock power steering pump begins.
[Install—Pump (2)] Matt then removes the pulley wheel; you really don’t have a lot of extra room to work with when doing this. The shop owner has been fixing and modifying vehicles as a business for nearly 10 years as he has successfully taken his hobby and passion for working on trucks and made it into his career.
[Install—Pump (3)] In order to reach the old steering pump a lot of parts need to be removed so it can easily be accessed and this includes removing the aFe intake.
[Install—Pump (4)] With everything cleared out of the way, we’re now able to get our first good look at the pump and, more importantly, our first look at the bracket that at the time we didn’t realize would need to be modified. The pump didn’t come with printed instructions so we went into this install thinking this would be a simple bolt-on replacement.
[Install—Pump (5)] With the stock pump out you can see the return lines are in different locations compared to the new AGR power steering pump from Summit. This would turn out to be a non-issue, but at the time we weren’t positive that we ordered the right pump (#877257).
[Install—Pump (6)] After trying to match up the new pump with the old bracket, it is clear that something isn’t quite right.
[Install—Pump (7)] Had we gone online first and read the instructions prior to taking the pump to Rosenberg Automotive, we would have realized the bracket needs to be removed and then modified to install this improved pump.
[Install—Pump (8)] The online instructions are clear and very easy to follow. A big triangle cut needs to be made as well as a small notch.
[Install—Pump (9)] Using the shop grinder, Matt carefully modifies the bracket after reading the instruction and measuring.
[Install—Pump (10)] Matt also drills an extra hole in the back side of the bracket for added strength and support.
[Install—Pump (11)] Using his new high-pressure parts washer, the bracket as well as some other key components are all washed and cleaned before going back on the truck.
[Install—Pump (13)] Now modified, the AGR pump perfectly comes together with the bracket for a solid fit.
[Install—Pump (14)] The added bonus of removing the bracket is everything can be put back together, including the pulley wheel, outside of the truck where Matt has a lot more room to work. It was a real knuckle saver to say the least.
[Install—Pump (15)] The AGR powering steering pump from Summit is now ready to go back in our 7.3L Power Stroke.
[Install—Pump (16)] As Matt begins to re-install the pump, he notes that the Hydroboost has to be on the side with the other return line on the back. And even though the return lines are in different locations, everything comes together nicely with no issues.
[Install—Pump (17)] Now that the pump is in place, it clearly looks like it belongs and the power steering fill is actually a little easier to get to compared to the old stock version.
[Install—Pump (18)] Next Matt adds the power steering fluid.
[Install—Pump (19)] The front end is jacked up so the steering wheel can be turned from side-to-side, repeated over and over, as the power steering fluid is worked into the lines. At this time Matt is also checking for any leaks; we find none.
[Install—Pump (20)] The extra-mile effort is demonstrated after the power steering pump is installed when Matt power washes the engine to remove oil that has built up on the engine over the years. It’s the little added touches like this that keep us going back to Rosenberg Automotive when we need help.
On the drive home we were amazed by the difference the new AGR power steering pump made. We knew our stock one was getting old and needed to be replaced, but I guess we just didn’t realize how bad it had become. We’re we glad we went online to Summit Racing and found this pump and especially grateful for Matt Rosenberg to help make sure it was installed correctly.
Source Box
Rosenberg Automotive Inc.
208-754-8600
Summit Racing Equipment
800-230-3030
www.summitracing.com