Power Steering pulley Failure

[mowudwn]

Hello its been quite a while since I visited this site, but recently I was out for a ride and I was telling my
wife how the temperature would always stay at 190. I had been noticing that I was having problems with my
steering and noticed a faint rattling sound. The air conditioner would go hot and then get cold again? Then I
looked at my gauges and the temperature gauge was at 250 so I pulled over immediately. The serpentine belt
had come off and the power steering pulley had a 1/2" of wobble in it. I got the car home safely (on trailer) and
ordered a new part. I was going to have a dealer do it, but a 1/2" box wrench took off the three bolts and the
whole job was quite easy. Rented a puller/installer for the new pulley and purchased a new serpentine belt. It
all went back together quite well and I didn't have to remove the air filter assembly. Just wanted to let anyone
with a Gen II know this is a accident waiting for a place to happen. It will fail if you haven't seen it happen yet.
Take the time and replace it.

[Fatboy 18]

So did you replace the Pulley OR the Bracket OR Both?

[98RedGTS]

Sucks you got stranded but that has been a known issue for a very long time :-(

[daveg]

Replace Bracket as well.

[MH60M]

Hello its been quite a while since I visited this site, but recently I was out for a ride and I was telling my
wife how the temperature would always stay at 190. I had been noticing that I was having problems with my
steering and noticed a faint rattling sound. The air conditioner would go hot and then get cold again? Then I
looked at my gauges and the temperature gauge was at 250 so I pulled over immediately. The serpentine belt
had come off and the power steering pulley had a 1/2" of wobble in it. I got the car home safely (on trailer) and
ordered a new part. I was going to have a dealer do it, but a 1/2" box wrench took off the three bolts and the
whole job was quite easy. Rented a puller/installer for the new pulley and purchased a new serpentine belt. It
all went back together quite well and I didn't have to remove the air filter assembly. Just wanted to let anyone
with a Gen II know this is a accident waiting for a place to happen. It will fail if you haven't seen it happen yet.
Take the time and replace it.

Yep....Nearly every Viper parts store sells the aluminum pulley and bracket.....Since 1996.

Good thing it didn't bust or wobble and chew through the pump housing and catch fire.

You should probably replace the High Pressure power steering line too.....also another know issue, and the fiery death of more than a few Vipers.

[Maxpower29]

How difficult a task is the bracket and pully? I have them but never did this type of install before. I am not a total noob at working on cars but a bit Leary

[Lalmeida617]

How difficult a task is the bracket and pully? I have them but never did this type of install before. I am not a total noob at working on cars but a bit Leary

Here ya go thanks to Mr Boosted!

https://youtu.be/zeXoK_JeTZg

[daveg]

Personally I recommend taking the pump out of the car and replacing the pulley / setting it up on the bench. Just me though.. Good luck with the project.

[Viper87]

I agree with Daveg. I had a hell of a time with the pulley breaking the pulley and then I kinked the power steering line and had to buy a new line and pump. Glad it's all done but it was an ordeal.

[Fatboy 18]

I've replaced 3 of them, never removed the pump or lines from the cars?

[Maxpower29]

Only have a couple months left of driving. I might chance it until winter when it's in the garage

[Martyb]

Very simple to do with the pump still on the car as long as you have the correct tools. I’ve done several, 2 beer job.

[Viperenvy]

"Very simple to do with the pump still on the car as long as you have the correct tools. I’ve done several, 2 beer job."


What tools do you recommend for un and re-seating the pulley?

[lane_viper]

So question, What replacement pulley are you guys using?

I know there is a billet Aluminum one out there but they seem pricey.

Found one on Rockauto that is all steel I might try. It's $10

[My98RT10]

So question, What replacement pulley are you guys using?

I know there is a billet Aluminum one out there but they seem pricey.

Found one on Rockauto that is all steel I might try. It's $10

I think most people are using IPSCO pulley and bracket. So do I....

The steel pulley might be for Gen I as they had a steel pulley from factory. They changed to plastic with Gen II IIRC...

[AZTVR]

So question, What replacement pulley are you guys using?

I know there is a billet Aluminum one out there but they seem pricey.

Found one on Rockauto that is all steel I might try. It's $10

I would be a little suspicious that it is all steel and the right part; but, if it isn't, you probably could return it. Roe Racing used to sell the steel pulley used on the Gen 1 as a Gen 2 replacement; but also supplied the required spacers for the pump mount to get the correct offset for the belt, as I remember it. Meaning that the pulley offset is different between Gen 1 and 2. So, just make sure you check the pulley offset if you don't get an OEM part for a Gen 2, or a billet pulley from the Viper parts vendors.

[LifeIsGood]

Do yourself a favor...just get the IPSCO combination Pulley and Bracket and never have to worry about it again.

According to dave6666, it's an upgrade!

[Fatboy 18]

Only have a couple months left of driving. I might chance it until winter when it's in the garage

That's fine, but if you go out in the car, take the new pulley and bracket with you and necessary tools so if it does break you have the parts in the trunk to fix it roadside

I always carry tools and a few spares, just in case other club members break down.
I carry an old pulley and bracket just in case.
I have the ipsco pulley AND billet bracket fitted.

[daveg]

Last one I did was a pain and I had to Vise it... Glad I didn't do it in the car and yes, I have the right tools.

[Boosted Motorsports]

Do yourself a favor...just get the IPSCO combination Pulley and Bracket and never have to worry about it again.

According to dave6666, it's an upgrade!

It can't be true! I'll believe it when I see it lol

[Maxpower29]

Good idea. Doing that now

[Coloviper]

Curious, on a 96’ RT/10, does it have a Gen 1 steel or Gen II plastic power steering pulley? Haven’t really looked at it.

[Fatboy 18]

If it's a Gen II it should be the black plastic pulley. But there were the Gen 1 and 1/2s
Not sure when the official change happened? Probably on the 450hp Gen II engine?

[Lalmeida617]

Curious, on a 96’ RT/10, does it have a Gen 1 steel or Gen II plastic power steering pulley? Haven’t really looked at it.

1996 You have the plastic one. Chuck did mine (same car you have) while it was getting head gaskets a couple months ago. I spoke with IPSCO when I ordered it and he was not sure if I needed a gen 1or 2 kit. So he sent the gen 2 kit. The only difference is the gen 2 kit has spacers I don’t think Chuck had to use them.

[lane_viper]

So here is the part from Rockauto I found.
https://www.rockauto.com/en/catalog/...mp+pulley,7381

Says it fits 96-02 vipers and is all steel. Thinking about ordering one to see.