Power steering variable assist swap

[Rez]

I have a 96 SW2 that I’m replacing the power steering pump on. Autozone only has the pump without the variable assist connector so I need to re use my old one. Any one ever swapped one of these before?

[Saturn Night]

The non-variable assist pump can be used, in place of the NV7 speed variable assist. Unplugging the sensor will NOT code the PCM(except 1991-1992 Saturn S-Series).

That sensor controls a valve, which changes the P/S line pressure, and is part of the pump assembly.

The rebuilt pumps have a terrible reputation, and hopefully OldNuc can explain why.

Get a used pump from a yard:

www.car-part.com

Like most other things, the factory-installed pumps are of higher quality than the rebuilt ones.

[Rez]

I could pull one at a junkyard tomorrow. But one with miles on it would be better than a re man? Not saying I don’t believe you, but that’s interesting.

[fetchitfido]

Look up reviews of ANY "re-manufactured" pump for ANY vehicle...EVER made. At best they replace the consumables (O-Rings & other seals) then ship it out...at worse they clean the grease off and ship it out. Either way, the wear items like bearings and pump valving stay with the pump and never get replaced.

[RobertGary1]

Installation instructions are simple.
1) Open trash can
2) insert new pump in can

I’ve tried so many “high quality” new pumps and they all were garbage. The original pumps almost never fail so what you get at a junk yard will be 100x’s the quality of anything you can buy new.



-Robert

[Rez]

Good to know. Guess I'm going to the junkyard tomorrow and getting my money back from the other pumps I bought.

[Saturn Night]

Originally Posted by RobertGary1

Installation instructions are simple.
1) Open trash can
2) insert new pump in can

I’ve tried so many “high quality” new pumps and they all were garbage. The original pumps almost never fail so what you get at a junk yard will be 100x’s the quality of anything you can buy new.



-Robert

I remember all the problems you had, with rebuilt pumps, when you had to replace your pump. If I recall, you went through 2 or 3 of them.

[Saturn Night]

Originally Posted by Rez

I could pull one at a junkyard tomorrow. But one with miles on it would be better than a re man? Not saying I don’t believe you, but that’s interesting.

In the case of P/S pumps, yes. Fetch covered the details, as apparently they don't actually replace the shaft bearings when they rebuild them.

I usually recommend used parts, because I have learned with my 1995 SC2, that Saturn really did most stock parts better than aftermarket has ever done them.(except for the pistons, of course....but that is another debate for another day....)

My family owns a small wrecking yard, and over the years, I have found used parts also tend to have less "fitment" issues than some aftermarket parts do, as well. Of course, these are generalizations that are not always true for every situation or car.