Have you ever tried to move a pulley without a puller? If not, then you might want to learn this craft just in case. After all, you might not have a puller nearby next time. Luckily, you can remove the pulley without one if you apply a little effort.
For example, you could use an Allen wrench or even a socket wrench to get the job done. However, if you don’t have any of these tools either, there are efficient alternatives.
In this article, we’ll explain how to remove a pulley without a puller, both old and new. Also, you will get some insight into what you should consider before doing this procedure. Plus, there is more than one tutorial here to cover this removal tool.
How to Remove a Pulley Without a Puller?
To remove an old pulley, you need only the appropriate screwdriver(s) for your particular task. The power steering pulley is an important part of a moving system.
Plus, it helps to transfer mechanical energy from one place to another. This is done via the serpentine belt or chain, thus reducing friction and noise. In that way, the contraption transfers the energy without lessening its potential.
To remove an old pulley, you need only the appropriate screwdriver(s) for your particular task. Opt for a screwdriver with a long enough inner pump input. A removal tool with such a shaft length should allow you to access and loosen the pulley. Technically, it does by removing the power steering pulley bolt.
At the same time, mind how much the object that moves up and down the belt weighs. It needs to be less than the tension in the belt. Otherwise, the damage will occur to either the inner shaft or belt.
A belt-driven system is an assembly of gears and pulleys that can help to transfer energy from one part to another. To stop a belt-driven system, you can either release the tension in the belt or disconnect it entirely.
Five Steps to Remove a Pulley Without a Puller
Here are five steps that will help you remove the power steering pump pulley without a puller.
- Ensure that there is nothing in the rope or cord of the pulley.
- Find a screwdriver or similar object that can fit into the center of the pulley. Insert it below the attachment to the wall or ceiling.
- Push down on the screwdriver in order to disengage the pulley from its place. Just ensure you shift your body weight equally on both feet to keep the balance.
- Once you remove the crankshaft pulley bolt from its original position, try dropping it on the ground. Do this to unburden yourself and free up some space.
- If there is a bolt attaching the pulley to its post, remove this with an Allen wrench. Do not try to loosen it by hand since you might end up hurting yourself.
You can also use a hammer or wrench for this if you don’t have an Allen wrench on hand. If there is another crankshaft pulley bolt on the other side of the post, do the same thing to remove it. When nothing remains of either bolt, you will be able to remove the power steering pulley completely from its post.
Alternative Method
It is an easy task to take off or put on any pulley by using a puller. However, the operation gets a bit trickier if you don’t have access to pullers. Luckily, even without pullers, you can utilize some ingenious ways to complete the job.
Yet, keep in mind that this is not a one-man procedure, and you will need the help of some other person. Regardless, you will be able to save a lot of time and effort that way. Here’s what to do:
- Get a sturdy chair or a stool for support. Make sure to place it on a flat surface with proper padding.
- Make sure that the person helping you is sitting comfortably on the chair/stool and has a good grip on the wheel. Thye will need to operate it with some precision.
- Pull the parking brake until it is taut and then secure it with a small piece of cord or rope.
- Next, take a coarse file and file the brake’s inner rim so that it is a bit rough and coarse.
- Now take a piece of rag or cloth and grease the pulley for easier handling. Make sure you grease it thoroughly so that there are no traces of friction left on the pulley. You can also use a candle or some other wax to grease the pulley.
- Once you have applied the load on the break and greased it properly, release your grip from the break and allow it to move. The pulley should move without any trouble.
In case the process gets too difficult, give a small jerk so that you can see which side of the rim needs more pressure for it to move. You have to keep on doing this until the pulley moves.
Things to Consider Before Pulling a Pulley Without a Puller
For your safety and in order to not damage anything, it’s best to adhere to some essential principles at all times.
Accuracy
One factor is the accuracy of putting the puller back in its exact place after replacing the broken input shaft pump seal or hub assembly. In case you are replacing a pulley, you have to accurately measure the size of the pulley, so the reinstalled pulley fits. Also, it is crucial that you are using the correct method for your pulley.
Experience
Another essential factor is your experience level when doing this by yourself. If you are unsure and don’t know if you can do this, then it’s better to go to a mechanic.
They will know what tools to use and how to do it properly. Therefore, if buying a pulley removal tool is not something you are comfortable with, consider leaving it to the pros.
Check the Tools You Have
Like in similar occasions, before attempting to pump pulley without the puller, consider the tools at your disposal. Next, devise a series of actions to follow.
Planning the pre-removal steps depends on whether you got the right tools and sufficient space to use them. Afterward, you can set out to remove the pulley without visiting an auto repair shop.
Check If You Can Pull the Pulley by Yourself
Determine if you have enough leverage to move the part using your arms. At the same time, assess what kind of a tool you might need to do so.
If you do not have any tools, then your best option may be to borrow some. However, depending on how difficult it is to access the area where the pulley is located, you might need something more specific. For example, you may need to use a pulley puller or another tool such as a strap wrench or a large adjustable wrench.
If you have enough leverage and tools to move the parts, then measure how much force you will need to free the pulley. You should also check if this force could possibly damage something else in the engine.
Pay Attention to Safely Moving the Pulley
The movement of a pulley comes from either pulling or a pushing motion. Also, expect to hear some notice as the pulley starts to move.
In most cases, if you are trying to move any part more than once, you might put a dent in it. Therefore, aim to complete the whole process in one go. So, avoid moving it multiple times in one session if possible.
To that end, start by evaluating whether it is safe to move the pulley. Then, the next step would be to determine if there are any safety issues involved with moving the part. If none of these conditions exist, then you can begin to push or pull on the pulley in order to free it.
Conclusion
To summarize, before attempting to remove the power steering pump pulley without a puller, weigh in on the situation. Summarizing which route you’ll follow ahead of time will pay up later on.
First, whether or not you have adequate time for the part to cool down and enough leverage to move the part without damaging it. Second, check if you have enough force to loosen the pulley while avoiding damage to other parts in the engine.
Lastly, you should check if there are any safety issues that you should attend to before getting started. After that, you can simply follow one of our tutorials on how to remove a pulley without a puller. So, keep a cool head and don’t walk into any risks.
