Help With Power Steering Bolts

[atom_c]

I was chasing a leak in my water pump and in the process I got over zealous and loosened the 4 bolts behind the power steering pump pulley thinking I was releasing it from the back ing plate. Now I am trying to put everything back together and the 4 bolts won't thread into the power steering pump. I can't even figure out exactly what the bolts are threading into and it seems like the holes are not lined up anymore. Could something have rotated inside the pump? Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Adam
1995 K2500 6.5 Diesel

[DmaxMaverick]

It's possible you removed the reservoir/tank and/or housing bolts. If the belt is on, remove it to relieve tension on the pulley. If you can't get them to align, the pump will have to come out to get it back together.

[atom_c]

I believe that those are the bolts I removed. I do not have the belt on and the pump is not bolted on yet. I can't quite figure out what I have to move or rotate to get them aligned again.
Thanks,
Adam

[DmaxMaverick]

It sounds like the pump has rotated inside the housing. I don't have that pump available to look at right now, and it's been a while, so some pics would be very helpful.

[DmaxMaverick]

If you rotate the pump (the entire pump, not the pulley/shaft), does it sound like there are loose parts inside? If you look at the bolt holes, can you see the internal holes, at least partially? If you can, use a punch or screwdriver and try to rotate it to alignment.

[atom_c]

Nothing seems loose inside. I dumped all the oil out and poked around inside. I will need to take the pulley off to really take a look in the bolt holes. If you look at new pumps, none of them have bolts in the 4 holes on the pulley side. Not sure what to make of it at this point.
Adam

[DmaxMaverick]

It sounds like it rotated inside. You're just gonna have to get it to un-rotate, one way or another. Does it appear a seal or gasket may have been upset?

[DmaxMaverick]

OK. I actually went and looked up the pump, as a part. The 4 bolt holes behind the pulley don't "align" with anything inside the pump. Removing the pulley will get you nothing. They are the mounting bracket bolt holes. If they aren't lining up with the bracket, something else is amiss. The accessories mount hardware can be confusing at times. Look around for a part that didn't make it back in, or a bolt in the wrong hole. Otherwise, the pump should align with the mount.