How to Change a 1994 Nissan Maxima's Steering Pump

Change a 1994 Nissan Maxima's Steering Pump

If you notice a red pool of fluid underneath your 1994 Nissan Maxima, then it may be an indication that your power steering pump is about to fail. The power steering pump is a crucial component of your car that enables you to turn the vehicle with ease. A sudden failure of the power steering, while driving, may easily result in an accident, making regular maintenance even more important.
Difficulty: Moderately Challenging
Instructions
Things You'll Need
1/2-ton floor jack
Jack stands
Tire iron
Socket wrench with adapters
Torque wrench
Work gloves
Large syringe
Drain pan
Cork
Plastic bag
Rubber band
Power steering fluid
1

Disconnect the negative battery cable from the terminal on the 1994 Nissan Maxima with a wrench.
2

Loosen the drive belt tensioner with a socket wrench then remove the drive belt. If the drive belt is frayed or showing other signs of wear, then it would be a good idea to replace it as well as any other belts that you can access while replacing the power steering pump.
3

Drain the power steering fluid reservoir with a large syringe. Insert a drain pan underneath the Maxima so that you can catch any fluids while replacing the power steering pump.
4

Insert a floor jack underneath the engine, raise the front end of the vehicle and position jack stands underneath the frame at the driver and passenger's side doors. Slowly lower the Maxima onto the jack stands, making sure that all four legs on each stand are securely resting on the ground. Remove the right front wheel with a tire iron to unscrew each of the lug nuts.
5

Crawl underneath the Maxima and remove the pressure line-to-pump banjo bolt, which has a small hose running from the power steering fluid reservoir to the power steering pump itself. Unscrew the banjo fitting bolt from the power steering hose. Remove the copper sealing washers that will need to be replaced when installing the power steering pump. Loosen the clamp on the return hose fitting and disconnect the hose from the clamp. Remove the pivot bolt that is to the left of the clamp and return hose. Starting with the banjo fitting bolt, this process is linear from right to left while looking straight up from the right wheel hub. Plug each hose with a piece of cork in order to prevent any fluids from draining onto the ground. Smaller hoses should be wrapped in a plastic bag and secured with a rubber band.
6

Remove the right tie-rod end from the steering knuckle arm so that the tie-rod can be swung out of the way. Loosen the jam nut then use a small piece of tape to mark the position of the tie-rod end in relation to the threads. Use a pair of pliers to pull out the cotter pin. Use a socket wrench to rotate and loosen the nut on the tie-rod end ball stud nut. Gently pull the tie-rod end from the steering rod.
7

Unscrew the pump's mounting bolts and slide the power steering pump through the opening in the inner fender panel.
8

Insert the new power steering pump into your 1994 Maxima. Install new copper sealing washers and tighten the pressure line banjo bolt to 51 ft.-lbs. Reassemble the lines going to and from the power steering pump. All other parts, such as the tie-rod and drive belt, should be reassembled as well. The tie-rod end to the steering knuckle nut should be tightened between 22 and 29 ft.-lbs. Lower the vehicle from the jack stands by raising the jack, removing the stands and slowly lowering the floor jack.
9

Top off the power steering fluid on your 1994 Nissan Maxima.
10

Bleed the power steering system by filling the power steering fluid reservoir to the cold mark on the reservoir. Raise the Maxima again with the floor jack and insert jack stands so that the wheels are off the ground. Turn the wheels to the left then to the right repeatedly, hitting the extreme left and right positions. This process will eliminate any air that has entered the power steering system. Check the level of the power steering pump while the engine is hot. Continue to check the power steering reservoir's fluid level over the next few times of driving.