I need to replace the timing belt on my 99 Sebring Limited (2.5 L), but to do so the power steering pump bracket needs to be removed. in order to remove the back timing belt cover. I took off the intake manifold, and that gave me some room, but not enough to get to the bolts on the back side of the engine that attach the power steering bracket. Is there a special wrench required to get to those bolts? I tried every combination of ratchet, extension, and swivel I could think of but nothing worked.

 

Try unbolting the pump from the bracket, and then unbolting the bracket.

 

Thanks for the reply! I did remove the power steering pump, but it looks like the power steering pump bracket is bolted onto the back side of the engine, between the engine and the firewall. I can get my hand in that space and feel a couple of bolt heads, but it seems like I need some kind of contoured wrench to get to those bolts. The bracket is U shaped back there and the bolts are in the bottom of that U. Any other thoughts?

 

I don't remember exactly what ratchet I used-- possibly my flexy head. I think it was a deep socket to get the right clearance. I put some duct tape over the rim of the socket opening to make it fit tight, then I reached behind the engine from in front and placed the socket/ratchet on the bolt with the handle down. I then went under the car and reached up to turn the ratchet. The socket fell off a couple times doing this and I had to come back up and do it again, but I eventually got it. Leave one of the bolts in (I think the farthest from the timing belt), but just loosen it enough that you can push the bracket out of the way and get the timing cover off. This will save you a ton of trouble on reassembly trying to line up the bracket to put it back on.

This was the only difficult part of the job IMO and worthy of a few curses on engineers.

 

I'm facing a similar problem. How many bolts are there to the power steering brack on top by the firewall - one or two? I've tried everything and can't get a tool on the one bolt I can see.

 

when i have this problem i ask the dealer to show me the new part. also ask dealer to show you picture on his computer of that part. Some even tell you which tool size to use.

 

There are 2 on the back of the head. They should be 15MM heads. The way I get to them is from under the car with a loooong extension (36") About the best way to get to them from up top is to remove the plenum to make some room.

 

I was finally able to get the two bolts out. For the bolt closer to the driver side, I used a stubby ratchet with a 15MM head to loosen it (very tight from factory) and the stubby to further loosen it. This one you don't need to take all the way out - just enough so the bracket clears the timing cover. For the bolt nearest the passenger side I used a 15MM socket wrench to break the factory seal, then my stubby to get the bolt out. If you work real hard at it you can get both hands down there which greatly assists. Nothing but a PITA - probably spent 4 hours on those two bolts and lots of skinned knuckles. Very poor design.

I have heard that people have removed those bolts without taking off the upper intake. I tried reaching my hands down there after I put it back on and couldn't even get near the bolts to touch them.