steering

Power Steering Pump Pulley

for 2012 Ford F-150 5.0L V8 Coyote · 4WD

Editorial review:Chris Hackleman — Master Technician · 20+ years · Jeff Moore — Master Lexus & Toyota Mechanic · 20+ years

Difficulty

Moderate

Time

1.0 h

Tools

Steps

✓Expert-verified. Personally reviewed and approved by OLP's master technicians (Chris Hackleman & Jeff Moore — 20+ years each). Always follow the vehicle's factory service information and torque specs.

This procedure covers the removal and installation of the power steering pump pulley on the 2011-2014 Ford F-150 with 5.0L V8 Coyote engine.

Warnings

⚠Allow engine to cool completely before starting work to avoid burns from hot components

⚠Power steering fluid will spill during this procedure - protect painted surfaces and have adequate containment

ℹ️The pulley is press-fit onto the pump shaft and requires a special puller/installer tool - attempting removal without proper tools will damage the pulley or pump

Tools required

Power steering pulley puller/installer kitEssential

Serpentine belt tool

Torque wrenchEssential

Socket set (metric)Essential

Wrench set (metric)Essential

Drain panEssential

Turkey baster or fluid transfer pump

Shop towelsEssential

Parts

Power steering pump pulley × 1 — Use OEM specification
Power steering fluid × 1 — Motorcraft MERCON LV

Fluids

Motorcraft MERCON LV — 1 qt

Preparation

Park vehicle on level ground and engage parking brake
Allow engine to cool completely
Disconnect negative battery cable
Remove engine cover if equipped by pulling upward on retaining clips
Place drain pan under power steering reservoir and pump area
Remove power steering reservoir cap to relieve system pressure

Procedure

1
Remove serpentine drive belt
Using a serpentine belt tool or breaker bar, rotate the belt tensioner clockwise to release tension. Remove the serpentine belt from all pulleys and note the routing for reinstallation. The belt routing diagram is typically located on the fan shroud or underside of the hood.
2
Access power steering pump
Locate the power steering pump on the driver's side of the engine, below the alternator. You should have clear access to the pump pulley once the serpentine belt is removed. Clean the area around the pulley to prevent contamination.
3
Install pulley puller tool
Thread the power steering pulley puller tool onto the pump shaft. The tool should engage with the pump shaft threads behind the pulley. Ensure the puller arms are properly seated on the backside of the pulley before proceeding. Do not apply force to the outer edge of the pulley as this may cause damage.
4
Remove pulley from pump shaft
Turn the center bolt of the puller tool clockwise to draw the pulley off the pump shaft. Apply steady, even pressure. The pulley should slide off smoothly. If excessive resistance is encountered, stop and verify the tool is properly installed. Remove the puller tool and pulley together once the pulley is free from the shaft.
5
Inspect pump shaft and new pulley
Examine the pump shaft for damage, scoring, or debris. Clean the shaft with a clean shop towel if needed. Inspect the new pulley for any shipping damage or defects. Verify the new pulley matches the original in diameter and offset.
6
Install new pulley
Position the new pulley onto the pump shaft, ensuring it is aligned straight. Install the pulley installer tool and thread it onto the pump shaft. Turn the center bolt of the installer tool to press the pulley onto the shaft. Continue pressing until the pulley is fully seated - the front face of the pulley should be flush with the end of the pump shaft. Do not over-press as this can damage the pump bearing.
7
Verify pulley installation
Remove the installer tool and verify the pulley is fully seated and aligned perpendicular to the pump shaft. The pulley should not wobble when rotated by hand. Check that the pulley grooves align properly with the other pulleys in the serpentine belt system.
8
Reinstall serpentine belt
Route the serpentine belt around all pulleys following the belt routing diagram. Use the serpentine belt tool to rotate the tensioner clockwise and slip the belt over the final pulley. Release the tensioner slowly to apply proper tension to the belt. Verify the belt is properly seated in all pulley grooves.
9
Check and refill power steering fluid
Check the power steering fluid level in the reservoir. Add Motorcraft MERCON LV fluid as needed to bring the level to the FULL COLD mark. Do not overfill. Replace the reservoir cap.
10
Bleed power steering system
Reconnect the negative battery cable. Start the engine and turn the steering wheel slowly from lock to lock 3-4 times without holding at the stops. Check for leaks around the pump. Recheck fluid level and top off if necessary. Turn off engine and verify fluid level is at the appropriate cold mark.

Reassembly

Reinstall engine cover if removed by pressing down on retaining clips until seated
Clean up any spilled power steering fluid from the engine bay and undercarriage
Dispose of used fluids and shop towels according to local regulations

Verification

Start engine and verify serpentine belt runs smoothly without squealing or misalignment
Turn steering wheel lock to lock while engine is running - steering should be smooth with no unusual noises
Check for power steering fluid leaks around pump and pulley area
Verify power steering fluid level remains at proper level after test operation
Confirm no warning lights are illuminated on instrument cluster

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