OEM 2000 Dodge Caravan Power Steering Pump

2000 Dodge Caravan Power Steering Pump Parts and Q&A

• Q: How to Maintain and Fix a Power Steering Pump on 2000 Dodge Caravan?

  A: To work on the power steering pump, first take out the cap from the reservoir and use a siphon pump to remove as much of the fluid as can. Disconnect the negative battery cable and put it aside and then remove the drive belt from the power steering pump pulley. Release the nut joining the front bracket of the power steering pump to the bracket, raise the vehicle with jack stands or a hoist and pull the adapter off the harness from the vehicle's harness. It's necessary to remove the car's exhaust system in order to access the power steering pump; therefore, the catalytic converter must come off the exhaust manifold and you should also remove every exhaust system owner/straps beneath the car. Put your exhaust system as far backward and toward the left as the car allows. Raise the heat sleeve on the hose so you can see the connection, unhook it, empty whatever fluid is left and remove the hose. Take out the accessory drive splash shield and pull the power steering fluid supply hose from the remote reservoir, as well as the power steering fluid pressure line from the pump, draining unnecessary fluid from both. Unhook the power steering plastic tube and remove the nut on the bracket that attaches the rear of the pump. After loosening the three bolts on the front pump bracket, remove the nut and bolt holding the front bracket to the cast bracket. Break the bond between the front bracket and the power steering pump as an assembly and afterward separate them. The pump is found underneath the floor pan, through the area of the exhaust tunnel. Exchange the power steering pump pulley whenever a replacement is required. To install the pump, follow the same reverse steps as above, making sure it rests on the cast mounting bracket while it sits loosely with a nut. Put the front bracket on the pump, loosely set the three mounting bolts and lastly attach the front bracket to the cast bracket with the connecting nut and bolt. Tighten the mounting bolts so they reach a torque of 54 Nm (40 ft. lbs.). Before connecting the pressure hose for the power steering fluid, look at the O-ring to confirm it isn't damaged and change it if it is. Attach the supply line to the fitting on the pump after the pressure line. Make sure to tighten the connector with a torque of 31 Nm (275 inch lbs.) Clamp together and thoroughly check the return line and supply line from the canister. Attach the drive belt to the pulley and the accessory drive splash shield and then fasten the power steering fluid return hose on the steel tube at the front suspension cradle, securing all with the proper hose clamp tightened to 2 Nm (18 inch lbs.). Wrap all the rubber tubing and connections with the heat shield and use straps to make sure they stay in place. Reattach the exhaust pipe to the manifold and hang every hanger/isolator back in, plus link the oxygen sensor wiring harness and fit the grommet to the floor pan. Lift the car onto jack stands, release the brake and press the gas to lower it on the mounting plates. Then, loosen the power steering pump drive belt, tighten the top nut and bottom bolt on the front mounting bracket to 54 Nm (40 ft. lbs.) and replace the belt again. Attach the negative battery cable again and complete the Power Steering Pump Initial Operation to fill and bleed the system. After that, inspect the system for leaks.