Remove and replace the power steering pump on a 2011-2014 Ford F-150 3.5L EcoBoost, including serpentine belt removal, fluid line disconnection, and system bleeding.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Power steering pump × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Power steering line O-rings × 2 — Use OEM specification
• Serpentine belt (if worn or damaged) × 1 — Use OEM specification

Fluids

• Motorcraft MERCON LV — 1 qt

Preparation

1. Park vehicle on level surface and engage parking brake
2. Allow engine to cool completely if recently operated
3. Raise and support front of vehicle on jack stands
4. Remove engine splash shield/undertray if equipped
5. Extract as much power steering fluid as possible from reservoir using turkey baster or fluid extractor
6. Take a photo of serpentine belt routing for reference before removal

Procedure

1. 1

   Remove serpentine belt
   Locate the automatic belt tensioner on the passenger side of the engine. Using a 1/2" breaker bar or serpentine belt tool, rotate the tensioner clockwise to release tension. Slip the belt off the power steering pump pulley first, then carefully release tensioner and remove belt from remaining pulleys. Inspect belt for wear, cracks, or glazing and replace if necessary.
2. 2

   Disconnect power steering reservoir hose
   Locate the return line (low pressure hose) connection at the power steering pump. Use pliers to squeeze and slide the hose clamp away from the pump fitting. Twist and pull the hose off the pump. Position drain pan underneath to catch residual fluid. Allow hose to drain completely.
   ⚠Fluid will spill when hose is removed. Keep drain pan positioned to minimize mess.
3. 3

   Disconnect high pressure line
   Using a line wrench (flare nut wrench) to prevent rounding, loosen the pressure line fitting at the pump. The fitting is typically 18mm. Once loosened, unthread by hand and carefully remove the line from the pump. Cap or plug the line opening immediately to prevent contamination. Have drain pan ready as fluid will drain from the line.
   ⚠Use only a line wrench on the fitting to prevent damage. Standard open-end wrenches can round the soft fitting.
4. 4

   Remove pump pulley (if necessary for clearance)
   On some configurations, the pump can be removed with pulley attached. If clearance is tight, a pulley puller may be required. Most installations allow removal with pulley in place by angling the pump during extraction. Assess clearance before proceeding.
5. 5

   Remove pump mounting bolts
   Locate the three pump mounting bolts. There are typically two bolts accessible from the front and one from below or behind. Use appropriate sockets to remove all mounting bolts completely. Support the pump while removing the final bolt to prevent it from falling.
   ℹ️Note the location and length of each bolt as they may differ. Take photos if needed.
   Torque spec

   Power Steering Pump Bolts25 Nm (18 lb-ft)

   Pump Mounting Bolts25 Nm (18 lb-ft)
6. 6

   Remove power steering pump
   Carefully maneuver the pump out of the engine bay. On the 3.5L EcoBoost, this typically requires angling the pump to clear the turbos and other components. Remove from below or through the top depending on clearance. The pump may still contain residual fluid, so keep drain pan nearby.
7. 7

   Prepare new pump for installation
   Remove all protective caps and plugs from the new pump. Install new O-rings on both the pressure line fitting and return hose connection. Lubricate new O-rings lightly with clean power steering fluid to ease installation and prevent damage. Verify new pump matches old pump in all mounting points and connections.
   ⚠Always use new O-rings. Reusing old O-rings will cause leaks.
8. 8

   Install new power steering pump
   Maneuver the new pump into position using the reverse path of removal. Align all mounting holes. Start all mounting bolts by hand to ensure proper thread engagement before tightening any bolts. Tighten pump mounting bolts in a star pattern to spec.
   Torque spec

   Power Steering Pump Bolts25 Nm (18 lb-ft)

   Pump Mounting Bolts25 Nm (18 lb-ft)
9. 9

   Connect high pressure line
   Thread the pressure line fitting into the pump by hand to ensure proper alignment and prevent cross-threading. Once hand-tight, use a line wrench to torque the fitting to specification. Do not over-tighten as this can damage the O-ring seal.
   Torque spec

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

    Connect return hose
    Slide the return hose onto the pump fitting, ensuring it is fully seated. Position the hose clamp over the connection point and tighten to specification. Verify the hose is not kinked or stressed.
    Torque spec

    Return Line Clamp4 Nm (3 lb-ft)
11. 11

    Reinstall serpentine belt
    Route the serpentine belt according to the diagram (or your reference photo) over all pulleys except the power steering pump pulley. Rotate the tensioner clockwise with your tool, slip the belt over the pump pulley, then carefully release the tensioner. Verify belt is properly seated in all pulley grooves with no twists.
12. 12

    Fill and bleed power steering system
    Fill the power steering reservoir with fresh Motorcraft MERCON LV to the COLD MAX line. Start the engine and let it idle. Turn the steering wheel lock-to-lock slowly 10-15 times without holding at full lock. Check fluid level and add as needed. Repeat until no air bubbles appear in reservoir and fluid level stabilizes. Check for leaks at all connections.
    ⚠Do not hold steering wheel at full lock for more than 5 seconds as this generates excessive pressure and heat.
    ⚠Only use Motorcraft MERCON LV fluid. Other fluids will damage the system.

Reassembly

1. Reinstall engine splash shield/undertray if removed
2. Lower vehicle from jack stands
3. Perform final fluid level check with engine at operating temperature
4. Clean any spilled power steering fluid from engine bay and components

Verification

• Check for fluid leaks at pump connections, pressure line fitting, and return hose with engine running
• Verify smooth power steering operation with no whining, groaning, or binding
• Confirm fluid level is at appropriate mark on reservoir (HOT if engine at temp, COLD if cool)
• Check serpentine belt alignment and tension - belt should not have excessive slack or noise
• Test drive vehicle and verify normal steering assist function at various speeds
• Recheck all connections and fluid level after test drive

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