Just wondering;
I recently replace my power steering pump. (02' f150 4x4)
Upon removal I see that the hardest bolt to remove, ( the one lower and just behind the belt pulley and under the high pressure line), was not there. those who have done this know which one I speak of. Apparently there is a service bulletin that states you can leave it out. I haven't looked for it, just info from other postings.

HHmmm
So that leads me to believe that it was done previously, which is fine. I had put approx. 70k miles on it since owning it. A little disappointed it only went for that, but it is what it is. Could have been worse.

IS it possible that it, ( that one hard to get bolt), was left off during assembly?? I presume not, unless there are others out there whom have found this missing as well that can verify less previous owners and better maintenance records.

 

Yep it can be left out. My 97 has has not had that bolt installed for years and no problem. We used to run the p/s pump on our dyno engines with that bolt missing never a problem