Recently while taking the 1987 Cherokee out on her weekly run I noticed she started leaking fairly bad. I narrowed it down to the power steering, everything under the pump is wet, I'm losing fluid, and its whining. Pretty obvious.

However, I'm not sure if I'm needing the pressure or return line, or even the pump iteslf because I haven't been able to do much diagnostic work at all.

I'm wondering if anyone has swapped out a Psteering pump before. I've done them on other cars, this'll be my first on the 4.0 Jeep motor. If I end up having to pull any lines or the pump itself, do you have any tips or tricks that a Haynes or Chilton guide won't have?

The only other question I can think of at this time is about the pump itself. I priced out the two lines and the pump, but I've got two options from the parts store. One w/resivour and one without. Is there a model difference, or no? Is it removable, so I can swap the old one onto the new one?

Now that I think about it, I've never actually bought a steering pump, and the time I called was for a 4.3L Blazer, and I don't think I had the option.

If I do the pump iteslf, will I want it with or without?

Thanks in advance for help!

 

Well, I've managed to narrow it down to the pump itself leaking, the lines seem ok, but since they are probably original equipment I may replace them anyway.

I'm still not sure what the deal with the reservoir is. What is the difference between the pump with one and the pump without? Can I just pull off the res from my original pump and reuse it?

 

If there is any doubt at all that your res could be leaking, then get one with your new pump. I replaced mine some time back, and opted for the res, since I wanted to know all of the parts were free from leaks. Replace the lines as well, it is worth the peace of mind...

 

Nice, thanks for the info!

 

x2 on the above advice - can't speak directly to a 87, but my 96 4.0 this is an easy job, buy one with the reservoir, not that much extra cost and replace the hoses that connect to it while apart.

Hardest part is yanking the pulley, and that's not bad.

 

Sweet man, thanks!

Do I need a pulley puller to remove the pulley?

As for the cost of both pumps, the difference is $15. And the cost for both lines will run me about $37.

Total parts cost is looking to be $90 give or take, depending on taxes (5.6%).

 

Yes. The local stores here loan out the pullers for free.

 

Ugh. Yeah, they do around here, too, but I'd rather just buy one for myself so I've always got it.