Power steering belt

Reply Subscribe

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

Mar 19, 2010 | 06:32 PM

pwsusi

Thread Starter

Burning Brakes

Joined: Aug 2006

Posts: 793

Likes: 11

From: Grafton MA

Power steering belt

Question from someone learning on the fly about fixing these cars. Changing the belts on my '71. Getting the smog and alternator belts off was a snap....what's the easiest way to get the power steering belt off?

Paul

Mar 19, 2010 | 06:56 PM

SteveG75

Race Director

Joined: Jun 2000

Posts: 10,046

Likes: 675

From: FL

Cut it.

Seriously, if you just want to get the old one off, that is easiest but it will make installing the new one a PITA.

Here is a little trick I use. Remove the alternator. Then you will have plenty of room to get to the adjustment bolt on the PS pump and can easily loosen it up.

When comes time to install the new belts, put the alternator/water pump belt in place first on the water pump and crank pulleys. Leave the alternator off. Then install the smog and PS pulleys and tighten them. Now, install the alternator, loop the belt over the pulley and adjust the alternator.

Take a look at it and visualize what I am saying and it will make more sense.

Mar 19, 2010 | 07:27 PM

pwsusi

Thread Starter

Burning Brakes

Joined: Aug 2006

Posts: 793

Likes: 11

From: Grafton MA

Thanks..

Quote:

Here is a little trick I use. Remove the alternator. Then you will have plenty of room to get to the adjustment bolt on the PS pump and can easily loosen it up.

which bolt is the adjustment bolt on the PS pump? i was going to try to take off bolt on the front of it thinking that would allow me to remove the disc and then the belt...is that's what you're talking about? going to be tough to get that one off..fan shroud is in the way and can't get a socket wrench in there.

Last edited by pwsusi; Mar 19, 2010 at 08:13 PM.

Mar 19, 2010 | 10:00 PM

ssenay72

Racer

Joined: Feb 2010

Posts: 494

Likes: 0

From: Leominster MA

Its behind the pump resevoir itself. Use an open end wrench (or better yet get those rachet wrenches from sears). Loosen the nut behind the pump and it will move forward for you, belt will come right off. I live in mass too....

Mar 19, 2010 | 10:04 PM

71406

Burning Brakes

Joined: Mar 1999

Posts: 1,047

Likes: 3

From: CA

No, you do not want to remove the bolt holding the pulley in place. There are three nuts/bolts that need to be loosened before you can remove/replace the pump belt. There are two pivot points on the bottom of the pump. One is a nut and the other a bolt. Loosen these. Then on top of the pump there is a nut that allows adjustment to the belt. Once all three are loose you can move the pump in and out to remove or tighten the pump. Remember if you are installing a new belt, you will need to re-adjust after the belt has broken in.

Mar 19, 2010 | 10:26 PM

ssenay72

Racer

Joined: Feb 2010

Posts: 494

Likes: 0

From: Leominster MA

Exactly what he said, pictures are worth a thousand words...

Mar 20, 2010 | 06:18 AM

pwsusi

Thread Starter

Burning Brakes

Joined: Aug 2006

Posts: 793

Likes: 11

From: Grafton MA

Excellent!! Thank you guys. Picutre is awesome.
ssenay72 used to live in Lancaster next town over. i will look for the car in your avatar when driving up in that area.

Last edited by pwsusi; Mar 20, 2010 at 11:47 AM.

Mar 20, 2010 | 11:54 AM

pwsusi

Thread Starter

Burning Brakes

Joined: Aug 2006

Posts: 793

Likes: 11

From: Grafton MA

Belts are on. The squealing is MUCH better. I can still get her to squeal off and on if i really try .... by giving a quick hit to the gas pedal and bring the revs up to about 3500-4000 from idle. Much better than it was, but would still like to get rid of the squeal completely.

To try to figure out which of the three belts was squealing, I took off the smog belt and sure enough the squeal went away. I've got the smog adjusted as tight as i can get it...maybe a shot of belt dressing will do it? Either that or a smaller belt? I've got the correct one on there now.

Paul