Power Steering Pump

Remove and replace the power steering pump on a 2005 Dodge Viper 8.3L V10, including serpentine belt removal, pulley transfer, fluid line disconnection, and system bleeding.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Power steering pump × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Power steering pressure line O-rings × 2 — Use OEM specification
• Serpentine belt × 1 — Inspect and replace if worn

Fluids

• ATF+4 — 1.5 qt

Preparation

1. Park vehicle on level surface and engage parking brake.
2. Allow engine to cool completely if recently operated.
3. Place drain pan under power steering pump area to catch fluid.
4. Using a turkey baster or fluid evacuator, remove as much power steering fluid as possible from the reservoir to minimize spillage.
5. Photograph serpentine belt routing for reference during reinstallation.

Procedure

1. 1

   Remove serpentine belt
   Locate the serpentine belt tensioner on the front of the engine. Using a socket and ratchet on the tensioner bolt, rotate the tensioner in the direction that relieves tension on the belt (verify direction per the vehicle's belt tensioner design). Slip the belt off one of the pulleys while maintaining tension, then slowly release the tensioner. Remove the belt from all pulleys and set aside. Inspect the belt for cracks, glazing, or excessive wear; replace if condition is questionable.
2. 2

   Disconnect power steering pressure line
   Locate the high-pressure line fitting on the rear of the power steering pump body. Using a line wrench, loosen and remove the pressure line fitting. Be prepared for residual fluid to drain. Cap or plug the line end immediately to prevent contamination. Remove and discard the O-ring seals from the fitting.
3. 3

   Disconnect power steering return hose
   Locate the return hose connected to the power steering pump (typically a larger diameter hose with a spring clamp). Using hose clamp pliers or a flat-blade screwdriver, release the clamp and slide it back on the hose. Twist and pull the return hose off the pump fitting. Allow fluid to drain into the catch pan. Plug the hose end to prevent further fluid loss.
4. 4

   Remove power steering pump mounting bolts
   Locate the mounting bolts securing the power steering pump to the engine block bracket (verify exact count and socket size per OEM documentation). Remove all mounting bolts completely. Support the pump while removing the final bolt to prevent it from falling. Carefully maneuver the pump assembly out of the engine bay, tilting as needed to clear surrounding components.
5. 5

   Remove pulley from old pump
   Secure the old pump in a vise with soft jaws, clamping on the pump body (not the reservoir or shaft). Insert the pin spanner into the pulley holes to prevent rotation. If the pulley is retained by a nut, use the correct size socket to loosen and remove the pulley retaining nut; if the pulley is pressed onto the shaft, use a pulley puller for removal (verify pulley retention type for this pump). Remove the pulley using a pulley puller if it does not slide off by hand. Exercise care not to damage the pulley during removal as it will be reused.
6. 6

   Install pulley on new pump
   Clean the new pump shaft and inspect for burrs or damage. Align the pulley onto the new pump shaft, ensuring proper seating. If the pulley is nut-retained, thread the pulley nut onto the shaft hand-tight and, using the pin spanner to hold the pulley stationary, torque the pulley nut to specification. If the pulley is pressed onto the shaft, use the correct pulley installation tool to press it to the specified depth.
   Torque spec

   Pulley Nut70 Nm (52 lb-ft)
7. 7

   Install new power steering pump
   Position the new pump assembly into the mounting bracket, aligning the bolt holes. Thread all 3 mounting bolts by hand to ensure proper alignment before tightening. Torque the mounting bolts to specification in a crossing pattern to ensure even seating.
   Torque spec

   Power Steering Pump Bolts25 Nm (18 lb-ft)
8. 8

   Connect power steering return hose
   Push the return hose firmly onto the pump return fitting until fully seated. Slide the hose clamp into position over the hose-to-fitting connection area. Tighten the clamp to specification, ensuring the hose is secure but not over-compressed.
   Torque spec

   Return Hose Clamp3 Nm (2 lb-ft)
9. 9

   Connect power steering pressure line
   Install new O-ring seals onto the pressure line fitting, lubricating lightly with the manufacturer-specified clean power steering fluid. Thread the pressure line fitting into the pump body by hand until snug. Using a line wrench, torque the pressure line fitting to specification. Verify the fitting is properly seated and not cross-threaded.
   Torque spec

   Pressure Line Fitting30 Nm (22 lb-ft)
10. 10

    Install serpentine belt
    Route the serpentine belt around all pulleys according to the routing diagram photographed during removal. Ensure the belt ribs are properly seated in all pulley grooves. Using a 15mm socket on the tensioner bolt, rotate the tensioner clockwise to create slack. Slip the belt onto the final pulley, then slowly release the tensioner to apply proper tension. Verify the belt is correctly positioned on all pulleys.
11. 11

    Fill and bleed power steering system
    Fill the power steering reservoir with the manufacturer-specified power steering fluid to the COLD MAX mark. Start the engine and allow it to idle. Turn the steering wheel slowly from lock to lock 3-4 times without holding at full lock. Check fluid level and top off as needed. Repeat the lock-to-lock process until no air bubbles appear in the reservoir and the fluid level stabilizes. Check for leaks at all connection points while the system is pressurized.

Reassembly

1. Reassembly is included in the procedural steps above, following the reverse order of disassembly with torque specifications applied.
2. Ensure all fluid connections are tight and leak-free before road testing the vehicle.

Verification

• With engine running, verify smooth power steering operation with no unusual noises (whining, groaning, or cavitation sounds).
• Turn steering wheel lock-to-lock and verify consistent assist in both directions.
• Check power steering fluid level after the system has reached operating temperature; top off to HOT mark if needed.
• Inspect all connection points (pressure line, return hose, pump body) for leaks with engine running and steering being cycled.
• Road test the vehicle at various speeds to confirm normal steering feel and response.
• Recheck fluid level after road test and verify no new leaks have developed.

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