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Water pump / pulley separation

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jbmcohen

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Hello -

I have a basic question that I'm sure has a basic answer but I'm stuck. I've removed the water pump off my BJ8 for the first time and I can't figure out how to separate the pulley from it? I have the later type that doesn't have this "magical key" that the earlier versions seem to have!

The manual says to use a "3 legged puller"? I'm not sure what that is and I don't want to just start banging away at it. I hope someone can provide me with some ideas on this issue.

Thanks a million!!
 
jbmcohen said:
Hello -

I have a basic question that I'm sure has a basic answer but I'm stuck. I've removed the water pump off my BJ8 for the first time and I can't figure out how to separate the pulley from it? I have the later type that doesn't have this "magical key" that the earlier versions seem to have!

The manual says to use a "3 legged puller"? I'm not sure what that is and I don't want to just start banging away at it. I hope someone can provide me with some ideas on this issue.

Thanks a million!!
Click to expand...
Are you replacing the pump because it leaks or have you removed it from the engine and want to remove the pulley from the shaft so you can rebuild it?
Patrick
 
jbmcohen, you could google northen tool co. and look for wheel pullers, youll see several configurations, id normaly send a picture but ive had a very bussy day. :savewave:
 
Sounds like you have the pulley type that is an interference (press) fit. Your best bet is a hydraulic press. The '3-legged puller' is probably similar to these:

https://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=32184

I'd use a press--I think a puller might bend the pulley sidewall. Plus, you'll need a press to correctly install the pulley on another pump. Make sure the pulley is at the same location on the shaft so your belt runs true--measure from the back face of the pump to the pulley sidewall or front.
 
jbmcohen said:
I have removed the pump from the engine and I need to rebuild it.

Thanks.
Click to expand...
You may already know this, but don't forget to "seat the seals" before installing the pump on the engine. Once it's installed you can't seat the seals because of the anti-freeze.
Patrick
 
Bob_Spidell said:
How do you 'seat the seals' on a water pump?
Click to expand...
I personally haven't done it, but I've been told that you spin the pump. I would assume(I hate that word), that you put the pump in a vise or something else to hlod it while you hook up another devise to spin the pump. Maybe a pulley belt connected to the pump pulley and spun with anther electrical motor. There was a posting about this quite a while back that I read but I can't remember which forum that I read it on.
Patrick
 
That other device could be a drill with a muslin cloth wheel attached.
 
Bob_Spidell said:
Is it really necessary? I've never done it and never had a new pump leak.
Click to expand...
I don't know if it's necessary and I didn't know anything about it until I read about it on a Forum a few years ago. It could be a reference to water pumps manufactured several years ago when materials might not be as good as they are today.
I've always purchased my pumps new or rebuilt because I couldn't find the bearings or seals to rebuild them with. Maybe a phone call to a "rebuilder" might shead some light on this?
Patrick
 
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