So I've been on the journey of fixing my Nissan Pathfinder R50 bit by bit.
However, I'd stalled on fixing the power steering pump. I ignored fixing it because I felt it wasn't really a priority... and yeah, I was broke so I felt to fix other stuff like oil leaks and maintenance etc.
Well, the result of stalling on stuff like this is more trouble. And that happened - the steering got stiffer and stiffer until it would take my whole body effort to do a full turn. At that point, I checked the power steering belt and discovered it was cut already.
My steering wheel is already beefy enough. Add that to the difficult steering, and you have a gym equipment😂
Now I had no choice but to fix it. I could leave it actually and decide not to fix it - it would just mean harder driving and more trouble when other components get bad.
I was planning on using the vehicle for a few videograohy gigs during the week, so I just had to fix it!
I could not get the usual mechanics that fix the car cos this was a Sunday, so I had to find a mechanic. I found a reliable one soon enough and we both went to buy an OEM power steering pump and 2 belts at the spare parts market. We had a tough time getting one cos it was a Sunday. Nobody opens shop at the spare part market on Sundays. But we ultimately found a good one.
The old power steering pump. The mechanic claimed it was hooked.
The power steering fluid was always full, sometimes messy cos the fluid in it wasn't being pumped into the steering rack
The new OEM power steering pump
We got an extra hand who knew about pumps and the pump was changed with a new belt placed in-situ.
The incompatible accessory parts were interchanged with the old parts to aid easy running
The new pump and the new and old cut belts
It was only then I realized how much of struggle I'd subjected myself to for a long time - the steering was super soft!
I felt I could turn with one finger, compared with before where body, spirit and soul was working overtime just to get a turn!😅
After it was fixed, I filled my tank to just below half tank (petrol has really gotten expensive here) and went home, with another part of my truck fixing ticked.
On to the next!