Before You Begin:
* Consult a repair manual: This is crucial. A Haynes or Chilton manual for your specific year and model will provide detailed instructions, torque specifications, and diagrams.
* Safety First: Wear safety glasses, gloves, and old clothes. Power steering fluid is messy and can irritate skin.
* Gather Tools: You'll need various wrenches (metric and possibly SAE depending on your year), sockets, a power steering fluid catch pan, a torque wrench, jack stands, a jack, possibly a pulley puller, and new power steering fluid.
* Dispose of fluids properly: Used power steering fluid is hazardous waste; recycle it according to local regulations.
General Steps (Consult your repair manual for specifics):
1. Disconnect the Battery: This is always the first step to prevent electrical shorts.
2. Raise and Secure the Vehicle: Safely jack up the front of the car and secure it on jack stands.
3. Locate the Power Steering Pump: It's usually on the engine, often near the front and driven by a belt.
4. Drain the Power Steering Fluid: Locate the power steering fluid reservoir and carefully drain the fluid into a catch pan.
5. Remove the Drive Belt: Use a belt tensioner tool (if equipped) or carefully loosen the tensioner to remove the serpentine belt. Note the routing of the belt; you'll need to put it back on the same way.
6. Disconnect the Power Steering Lines: There will be high-pressure and low-pressure lines connected to the pump. Carefully loosen the lines using wrenches. Have a catch pan ready to collect any remaining fluid. Some lines might require line wrenches to avoid damaging the fittings. Mark the lines if necessary to ensure correct reassembly.
7. Remove the Pump Mounting Bolts: The pump is usually bolted to the engine block. Carefully remove the bolts.
8. Remove the Pump: This may be straightforward or require a pulley puller if the pulley is stubborn. Be careful not to damage the pulley or the pump itself.
9. Install the New Pump: Carefully install the new pump, ensuring the alignment is correct. Tighten the mounting bolts to the specified torque (found in your repair manual).
10. Reconnect the Power Steering Lines: Carefully reconnect the high-pressure and low-pressure lines. Tighten them to the specified torque.
11. Reconnect the Drive Belt: Reinstall the serpentine belt, making sure it's properly routed.
12. Fill the Power Steering Fluid Reservoir: Fill the reservoir with the correct type and amount of power steering fluid. Check your owner's manual for the proper type of fluid.
13. Bleed the System (if necessary): Some repair manuals recommend bleeding the system to remove air bubbles. This usually involves turning the steering wheel lock-to-lock several times while the engine is running.
14. Lower the Vehicle: Carefully lower the vehicle from the jack stands.
15. Test the System: Start the engine and check for leaks. Turn the steering wheel lock-to-lock. Listen for any unusual noises. Top off the fluid if necessary.
Important Considerations:
* Year-Specific Differences: The exact location, mounting, and procedures will vary slightly depending on the year of your Delta 88.
* Torque Specifications: Using the correct torque when tightening bolts is essential to prevent damage.
* Fluid Type: Use the correct type of power steering fluid specified in your owner's manual.
If you're not comfortable performing this repair yourself, take your car to a qualified mechanic. Improperly installing the pump can lead to damage to the steering system or even injury. This guide is for informational purposes only and does not replace professional advice.
