I did a search, but couldn't find an answer to my question. I need to change the water pump on my 96' Suburban. Idler pulley bearing seized and when it came off, the serpentine belt wrapped around the fan shaft and I believe it damaged the water pump as it is leaking now and I dont think it was prior to idler trouble. I have changed several water pumps on older 350's but haven't done one on a vortec yet. I was wondering if the alternator and/or the alt. bracket need removed prior to removal of the water pump? I can't see enough until I remove the fan and shroud. I am going to do it in the driveway tomorrow (brrr!).
Any help/info would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Mike

i'm almost certain.. if that helps you any.

all the componants on the engine are mounted on a "convinence center" and they are "around" the pump. it takes a 9/16 socket and a ratchet once you have the fan off, and if you are careful you can drop the fan into the shroud and not have to fish it out if its to tight . and if you need more room some of the fan shrouds have bolts so you can split them and remove the top half.

ps, Glue the gaskets to the pump so you don't damage them putting it back in.

I believe that pupmp swap is one of the easiest to do at the moment, top half of the shroud, remove fan and belt, lower hose, and 4 pump bolts. I did my burb about 4 months ago--took me 40 minutes including a beer.

I just did this not too long ago. Its one of those jobs where u can fit a wrench on but it turns so little that you feel like you are doing it wrong. I just dealt with the fan, My 350 is in a jeep so i took the radiator out so i didnt damage it. Anyway, its one of those things where you dont have to take the alternator off, but if it makes the job easier for you, then do it. Getting the alternator on and off is pretty simple. Good luck.

Finished it today. KWTMECH said it. Shroud, belt, fan and then the 4 bolts. The fan spindle nut is a HUGE one. My largest wrench is a 1 1/4" and it wasn't near big enough. I ended up using an old ridgid pipe wrench with well worn teeth and tightened it as snug as possible on the nut to keep the damage to a minimum. Also used my Craftsman strap wrench on the pully to hold it tight. Very useful tool to have by the way. Worked pretty well all in all. These are a lot easier to change than the ones in the Blazers I have had. Want to thank all that responded to my question. I appreciate the advice.
Thanks,
Mike

Sounds straight forward, I have a 1999 GMC 1500 4x4 and the pump is dripping, I’ve done Toyotas many time but not a newer Chevy, just wondering if there is any special tools required to replace the pump, any torque specs would also be very helpful??

does that require special antifreeze too??

Thanks in advance for any comments!

Brian

Did a water pump 2 weeks ago on 99 5.7 Tahoe. Simple, just remove upper part of fan shroud, pull the lower radiator hose, you can buy the "magical GM Tool" but I used a pair of channel locks on the fan spindle nut and put a flat head scredriver in between the Bolts on the pully housing to hold the pully. Rock engine to get coolent out of the block, though it shouldnt matter. no torque specs though I put locktite on the four bolts for the pully. use orange coolent, it supposed to have anti-corrosive properties and last longer

Thanks again for the help.
I used a screwdriver and channel locks!!

yeah, the fan is a pain to get off without the right tools, I did one on my 97 suburban three weeks ago, and that was the hardest part. Other than that, it was basically the same as doing older chevy pumps. They run the high mileage(orange) coolant, but there is a new antifreeze that is compatible with both, and its yellow.