Armelius

I loosened everything to include that large 15mm nut on the back of the power steering pump. Didn't take it off. Nor did I take off the other two that you are suppose to loosen.

Am I missing something? That belt just doesn't want to come off or do I have to remove those nuts?

In the meantime I just said screw it and place a new main drive belt on. If the power steering belt breaks I always have the replacement but that belt looks good compared to the main drive belt which was missing a small area out of it (about three teeth if that is what they are called after they crack).

Any advice on replacing that power steering pump belt?

http://www.greghome.com/images/Maxim...DriveBelts.jpg

The main drive belt took about 10 minutes to remove and replace, while that ps belt I worked on for over two hours and it has got me beat.

njmodi

iTrader: (4)

Did you undo that bolt on the power-steering belt pulley - as shown in the second picture, top row, in the link you provided?

You have to loosen that locking bolt first then then tighten the other bolt shown - that will relieve the tension in the PS belt.

Armelius

I loosened all three. Didn't tighten any.

The top and bottom on the second pic I only unloosened and didn't take any off.

s0ber

iTrader: (7)

Your supposed to tighten the tensionor, it works backwards, tighten to loosen the belt.

njmodi

iTrader: (4)

Exactly - you have to tighten the bolt, that will loosen the belt. (The lowest bolt, in the 2nd pic). You have to loosen the upper bolt in the second pic first.

Armelius

Alright. Very difficult to mess with that back bolt. The top nut I had to use a breaker bar.

Luckily the belt doesn't look like it needs to be replaced and I just ran out of time to be messing with it.

Thanks for your help though. When it does start to go I am sure I could replace it within about an hours time.

I had heard that the dealership charges 130 plus or 300 dollars to replace these belts. Don't know how true that is but I would much rather have some air tools to get that back bolt.

f550maranello2

iTrader: (2)

just cut the belt off and that usually helps loosening the tencioner

Chief Brody

iTrader: (2)

Armelius, where did you get your replacement drive belt? Is this one those parts that you recommend getting from the dealer or can you just go to autozone and get a replacement that fits? What do you guys think?

njmodi

iTrader: (4)

You can get them anywhere, BUT, the OEM ones are so cheap, (25 bucks for both), I just used the OEM parts.

njmodi

iTrader: (4)

If you end up not being able to get the tensioner loose, you are screwed if you've already cut the belt... ... I wouldn't recommend this method to anyone who isn't "sure" of being able to do it successfully.... i.e. anyone doing it for the first time.

Armelius

Dealer. One is made in Japan and the other is made in the US. I would recommend getting the drive belt from the dealer the power steering could be bought at discount auto or something. But with the dealer you know you are getting an exact fit.

I paid just under 60 dollars for both. I am going to call the dealer up to see how much they charge to change both to see what my savings should be.

Ten minute job for that drive belt though.

Armelius

Just got off the phone. They charge 129 plus tax to change two belts that's including labor so I assume it takes them an hour to change them.

Chief Brody

iTrader: (2)

Nice man. Good to see that is a quick job.

Armelius

That drive belt lasted over 100,000 miles