Power Steering Pulleys: What You Need to Know

The power steering pump pulley is one of the most overlooked components in an accessory drive system — but it plays a critical role in both performance and reliability. March Performance has been engineering power steering pulleys for over 25 years, and here's what you need to know when selecting one for your build.

How Power Steering Pulleys Work

The power steering pulley is press-fit onto the pump shaft and driven by the serpentine belt or a dedicated V-belt depending on your system configuration. Its diameter relative to the crank pulley determines how fast the PS pump spins — which affects both steering assist feel and the parasitic load on the engine.

Serpentine vs V-Belt Power Steering Pulleys

March Performance offers power steering pulleys for both serpentine and V-belt systems:

• Serpentine PS pulleys — use a multi-rib serpentine belt groove, typically 6-rib. These are part of March's all-inclusive serpentine systems and are designed to work in precise alignment with the rest of the system
• V-belt PS pulleys — single groove pulleys for traditional V-belt setups. Available in single and double groove configurations depending on whether the PS pump is part of a shared belt run or has its own dedicated belt

Groove Configuration

When selecting a power steering pulley, groove configuration matters:

• Single groove — used when the power steering pump has its own dedicated belt, separate from the other accessories
• Double groove — used when the PS pump drives another accessory (like the alternator) off a secondary belt
• Serpentine groove — used in modern serpentine conversion systems where all accessories share one belt

March Performance's system kits include the correct PS pulley configuration for your application. If you're sourcing a replacement pulley, verify your groove configuration before ordering.

Press-Fit Installation

Power steering pulleys are press-fit — not bolted — onto the pump shaft. This means you need the right tools to install and remove them correctly:

• A PS pump pulley puller to remove the old pulley without damaging the shaft
• A PS pump pulley installer to press the new pulley on to the correct depth
• Never use a hammer to install or remove a PS pulley — you will damage the pump shaft or the pulley bore

The correct installed depth is critical. Too shallow and the belt won't align properly. Too deep and you risk interference with the pump body. March Performance pulleys are machined to precise dimensions that match the correct installed depth for each application.

March Performance Power Steering Pulleys

All March Performance PS pulleys are CNC machined from 6061-T6 aircraft-grade aluminum with a clear powder coat finish — no polishing required. High wear surfaces are hard coated to 65 Rockwell C scale, harder than steel, ensuring long service life even under continuous load.

Browse power steering pulley options for your application in our Small Block Chevy, Big Block Chevy, Chevy LS, and Ford Small Block pulley sections. Questions? Call 1.888.729.9070.