Here's a breakdown of the difficulty:
* Accessibility: The power steering pump is often nestled in a tight space in the engine bay, making access challenging. You'll likely need to remove other components (belts, hoses, etc.) to get to it.
* Fluid Handling: Power steering fluid is messy and can damage paint or other parts. Proper precautions are crucial to avoid spills.
* Tools: You'll need various tools, including wrenches (metric), sockets, a power steering pump pulley puller (often specialized), possibly a pry bar, and new belts if needed.
* Bleeding the System: After installation, you need to bleed the air from the power steering system to ensure proper operation. This is crucial and sometimes tricky.
How to tell if your 2000 Grand Am has Easy Steer:
The 2000 Pontiac Grand Am didn't have a feature officially called "Easy Steer" as a factory option. The term "Easy Steer" is sometimes used generically to describe power steering systems that feel lighter and require less effort to turn the wheel. There's no visual indicator or label to identify it.
The best way to know if your Grand Am *feels* like it has an unusually easy steering system is by comparing it to other similar vehicles. If the steering feels significantly lighter than in other comparable cars, you could say it has a system that provides easier steering. However, this is subjective. Factors like tire pressure and the condition of the power steering system itself greatly influence steering feel. If your steering feels overly light, it might indicate a problem, not necessarily a "Easy Steer" feature.
In short: Replacing the power steering pump is a job best left to someone with mechanical experience unless you're comfortable with potentially challenging repairs. There's no "Easy Steer" designation on the 2000 Grand Am; if your steering feels unusually light, consider it potentially a problem to diagnose. A mechanic or repair manual will be valuable resources.
