How do I get the power steering pulley off on a Chrysler 3.0 V6? or remove the pump if I have to?

Question

I'm sure glad the 1997 Dodge Caravan Chrysler 3.0 V6 was designed with maintenance in mind. Is there any other way, besides moving the engine back, other than removing the power steering pump, to get the motor mount bracket assembly off so you can get to the timing belt covers? What about the power steering pump pulley? Can it be removed?

I am attempting to R&R the water pump

Answer 1

It sounds as though you are attempting to do a timing belt and/or a water pump replacement. I will go with that assumption. As far as I know, you must remove the power steering pump from its mounts in order to remove the motor mount bracket. Even by removing the 2 short 15mm bolts that are accessible through the ps pulley, and loosening the the 15mm nut on the back of the ps pump, as well as loosening the 2 15 mm bolts that support the back of the ps pump to block, you still do not get enough play and movement to get the motor mount bracket off. I have done enough timing belt/water pump jobs on those Chrysler 3.0 liter motors and have learned about all the tricks there are in doing them. A few times I have tried what you are attempting and just ended up wasting time. Oh, and in order to get the ps pulley off, you must remove the pump from the bracket.

The easiest way to do this is remove the 2 short 15mm bolts through the ps pulley, then ONLY loosen the 15mm nut on the bracket that attaches to the back of the ps pump, and then remove the 2 15mm bolts that hold that same bracket to the block. All you have to do at that point is just slide the ps pump back towards the firewall slightly and it should be free of the bracket. I have found no other way to do this without wasting a great deal of time.

One last thing, and you may not realize it now or appreciate this, but DO NOT TIGHTEN any of the motor mount bracket bolts, motor mount bolts, a/c bracket bolts, a/c adjusting bracket bolts, or ps pump bolts UNTIL ALL OF THOSE ITEMS ARE LOOSELY FITTED. All of those items must be loosely fitted back in place before any of the mounting bolts are tightened. I know it is a pain, but if you install and tighten the motor mount bracket bolts, there is a good chance that none of the other bolts for the other items will line up properly. It may seem odd because you are removing them one at a time and the all line up, but when you go to reinstall them, they will not.

I don't remember what book time shows for this job but I think it is somewhere in the 4.5 hour range. The very first one that I did, it took nearly 8 hours because I was so unfamiliar with that setup. Now that I have done many more of them, I am able to get the job done in about 3.75 hours.

Answer 2

My wife has a 1996. To change the back plugs, you have to remove the rear motor mounts as well. If you can get a Chrysler dealership to do the other work, have them replace those spark plugs,too.

Answer 3

I'm so glad I got rid of my wifes 1995 Voyager........

ADDED:
Are you able to access it from the passenger side fender well with the tire removed???