Compact power steering pulley puller/installer options

I am looking for some input for a compact P/S pulley puller and installer to use on a Saginaw P-pump with an internal 3/8-16 threaded shaft and a 1 1/8" pulley hub.

I found another thread here on IBB: https://irate4x4.com/threads/looking-for-a-quality-power-steering-pulley-puller-install-tool-what-do-you-go.392759/ Some have suggested the Lisle 39000. This looks like a nice option for a puller, but it doesn't include an installer. (EDIT: I just watched a YouTube video of this tool being used and it DOES have an installer) I know I could probably get away with a couple of washers, a nut and a long fully threaded Gr 8 3/8" bolt, but I am wondering if i would break the bolt while installing the pulley without a thrust bearing. I have looked at thrust bearing options, just looking for options.

I currently have a cheap puller that works fine if I remove my radiator mounts to get some more room. The Lang 5238 might be the best option I have found. The OTC 4529 looks a little less compact. The OTC 4681 looks very similar to the Lang 5238, but its not clear if it comes with the threaded tip.

The goal is to be able to pull and install the pulley without needing to remove my radiator mounts. I have around 4.25" of space IIRC. I have been thinking about making a custom tool, but wanted to pick the brains of others before I go that route.

I have owned a few pulley pullers and never really fell in love with any of them.
What about going to a pulley that has an slots in it, so you can reach the retaining hardware, then you just slot the bracket so the pump and pulley comes off as a unit. Then you can remove the pulley on the bench.

welndmn said:

I have owned a few pulley pullers and never really fell in love with any of them.
What about going to a pulley that has an slots in it, so you can reach the retaining hardware, then you just slot the bracket so the pump and pulley comes off as a unit. Then you can remove the pulley on the bench.

PP2456 - 5.75" Power Steering Pump Pulley (Serpentine)

This 5.75" diameter Billet Aluminum Overdrive Press-Fit 6 RIB Pulley will fit Saginaw "P" power steering pumps with a 3/4 Inch driveshaft. Use this pulley with most GM Vortec applications to improve low crank RPM steering performance. Don't see what you need or need help making a decision on...

www.pscmotorsports.com

Click to expand...

This is the exact pulley I am installing. The current pulley is an OEM 2004 LM7 P Pump pulley with no holes. I hadn't thought about the access the openings on the PSC pulley would give me I guess I will finagle the radiator out of the way for now to get the stock pulley out. I was looking at it last night and I think I can just remove one of my electric fans and gain another 1" of clearance without pulling the radiator mount.

Thanks for the idea!

abrogate said:

This is the exact pulley I am installing. The current pulley is an OEM 2004 LM7 P Pump pulley with no holes. I hadn't thought about the access the openings on the PSC pulley would give me I guess I will finagle the radiator out of the way for now to get the stock pulley out. I was looking at it last night and I think I can just remove one of my electric fans and gain another 1" of clearance without pulling the radiator mount.

Thanks for the idea!

Click to expand...

I just drilled holes in my OEM pulley

I decided to just rent a puller/installer from O O O'Reilly's so I could see how to modify the installer. Turns out I must have been sleep deprived or something when I initially started this pulley replacement. The kit had the exact installer I was envisioning piecing together. Instead of the thrust bearing installing over the puller shaft, this one is a one piece unit that threads onto a 3/8" bolt (both included in the kit, along with a 3/8-16 to 5/16-18 combo bolt).

I used their puller and it is ****ing trash. Using their terms on the tool case: The collar retaining ring that holds the two piece collar halves has too much play and I almost ripped the tip of the pulley off. The retaining ring split in half, the short pressure tip bent somehow and everything became ****eyed. The tool was brand new, never used and broke within minutes, before the pulley was removed. I was able to remove the pulley using my puller, which is identical... don't know. I will be buying the Lisle 39000 to try to avoid this mess again.

In the end, the 3/8" bolt and thrust bearing/nut combo installer fit in the space available and I did not need to move my radiator. Its very likely I just over thought this entire process and that's okay. Their installer worked perfectly and now I am moving on in life.




Lastly, the PSC 5.75" pulley I received looks slightly different than what is pictured on Summit's website. It has 5 spokes instead of 3. This makes no difference, but it does look like maybe I could remove the pump without removing the pulley. I didn't try it, but it might be possible. The pic below makes the flange head bolt appear to be partially behind the outer ring of the smaller pulley. Maybe I could replace the bolts with allen or torx socket head to get around this. I'll cross that bridge later.