Well never say that's the hard bit over with!
Whilst I had the alternator, washer bottle and alarm out I decided to give this end of engine bay a clean up and also replace the power steering fluid.
From my records it hasn't been changed for at least 27 years.
However trying to disconnect the pipe/hose from the power steering pump has turned into somewhat of a saga with the union nut welded firmly to the metal pipe.
Given the limited time I'm able to allocate each week and no access to electric light and power in the lock up garage this has turned into a 2 month saga of spraying with all sorts of penetrating and freeze release sprays , leaving to soak and returning a few days later, all to no available.
I'm now trying to release the other end of the pipe from the steering box so I can remove the pump and pipe from the vehicle and take it home so I can take a more robust approach to releasing the union. Although the other end is proving just as difficult. A longer spanner has now been ordered.
Interestingly all the other union connections to the steering box have undone with no problem. Just seems to be this one pipe, must be the combination of metals used.
Worst case is to get a replacement pipe/hose assembly and then I will cut the pipes so the union is disconnected from the pipe and then they can just be unscrewed from the steering box/pump.
Hopefully once this is sorted I can get on with the cam belt change, but i have managed to replace the alternator brushes and will get the the steering box cover and exhaust manifold shrouds repainted whilst I do the other work.
Onwards and upwards, hopefully
