Power Steering Pump Play?

[mshuler009]

I had a belt chirp about 6 months ago, due to a bad belt tensioner. I replaced the tensioner, and put a new Gates belt on it. Before I installed the new belt I was wiping down all of the pulleys and realized that my power steering pulley (not just the pulley but the pulley AND shaft) move in and out about a 1/4". I didn't know if this was abnormal for the C2 pump or not. I drove it and haven't had any chirps until here recently. It only happens when the engine is cold. I'm just wondering if that movement is causing it to come out of alignment...but then that doesn't make sense why it wouldn't do it all the time.....Any thoughts?

This is on a 1998 Explorer XLT with 4.0 OHV

 

[Cobraguy]

That amount may not be "normal", but I've seen it several times and never had a problem. I wouldn't worry about it. By the way, some play in and out is normal.

 

[mshuler009]

I know that some play is normal, but I'm questioning how much play....because 1/4" seems too much to me.