Its actually very easy. Back out the nut ~ 1 to 2 turns. Hold the pump up with the pulley facing straight up. While you are holding it, have another person wack it with an aluminum or brass hammer. If you dont have an aluminum or brass hammer, have the person doing the hammering hold an piece of aluminum over the nut where they are striking it. Hold the pulley firmly hit hard. Two or three wacks and its off.

 

I read about John's method and it worked. Its a great tip that probably ought to be promoted more.
Loosening the nut worked best using my battery powered impact wrench.

 

I didn’t try that exact way... I was much more violent and ended up heating the hell out of it multiple times without any success. I’ll give it a go and see if this is what I needed but I’d be surprised if it came off knowing what punishment I gave it earlier today without a hint of movement

 

Check with a local auto parts store. Some rent tools. You might be able to rent a puller and save yourself some money and aggravation.

 

Don't use a puller, the pully is pretty weak and will bend before it comes off, ask me how I know!

I used the hold in one hand and large copper hammer method on my spare, it took about 10 hits, so keep at it.

 

The pulley actually has a hub on it made for pulling but requiring a Mercedes special tool. It may be that that tool is similar enough for using some more common variant which may be available as a free loaner from the auto parts store. You could bring the pump to the store and see what they have. I have never had a problem using the hammer method on a Mercedes power steering pump but I have had several instances where I had to load up the joint with as much pressure as I dared to with puller and them wrap the puller screw several times to get it to pop. Happens a lot with over tightened pitman arms, ball joints and tie rod ends.

 

I tried sharpening the claws on one of my pullers to try to catch on that hub, but it kept slipping out.

 

ok work done for the day. Time to go give it a few(at least 10 ) whacks and report back. really appreciate the ideas and giving me more hope!

 

@roncallo as always your advice is golden! popped that bad boy off in a couple whacks. Smarts (what you have) beat out brawn (what I still don’t have but tried to use here). it came off so easily I almost just have to laugh at what an idiot I was yesterday. So much so I had to use 45 minutes after I got it off to bend the pulley back into shape. All is well as it looks like I’ll be able to reuse this pulley even though it was beat to shit.

 

and after all that the sound I thought could only be the power steering pump bearing.... is still there... ugh. All that for nothing. I guess knowledge isn’t nothing but I’m not quite happy about it. I guess I need to get a tube and search for the noise and pinpoint the exact location. It must be that it sounds like it’s the pump but it’s actually one of the other bearings or fan clutch or something. Only happens after the car is hot but my main fan is pretty much always on so it doesn’t necessarily point to the fan. Anyways... if the car was perfect it wouldn’t be as fun

 

Most likely the AC idler pulley.

 

This works

 

Last week I took my power steering pump to a father and son shop to get them to remove the pulley. The kid put it on a press ( I told him not to) and he bent it. I took it home and finally got it off with a soft hammer. I tried my best to straighten it with a pair of channel lock pliers and put it back on the new refurbished pump . It works ok but I don't want it to chew the belt up. Went to the local MB dealer and was told they could get me a new pulley for $304.00. This morning I went to the local Pic and Pull and got a perfect used one for $9.95. If anyone wants the old pulley let me know and I will give it to them.

 

The amount of pain I went through to get it off the wrong way (and failed) and how easy it came off with the soft hammer and holding the pulley and letting the pump hang makes me think that it’s really the only way to do it. There are other ways as some have mentioned and the pic of that puller look good and I’m sure works but it came off so easy with the hammer I feel that’s the best way and anything else is just overboard.

I was able to bang and bend my pulley back into shape and I put it on loose a few times and tested with the belts until It sat in the groove right and it wasn’t wobbling so it’s doable but yeah if you have a pick and pull and can find one I’d go that route, just wanted to throw it out there that it’s totally possible to get it bent back into shape with some patience and testing.