Power steering belt issue

[KKson]

Hi all, while I've got the bonnet off (plus a load of bits and pieces at the front of the engine bay) I decided to change the belts. No issues with the alternator belt but when I removed the power steering belt it was not 950mm as per parts list but a very perished and slightly baggy 850mm unit. The pump was at the end of it's travel and movement in the belt was a good 20 to 25mm.

I had bought a 950mm belt but it was way too loose so new 850mm belt acquired but can't quite get the bugger on. I've removed the steering pump pulley so that I can slide it back over the pinion and bolt it back on but I'm 3mm short of getting it back.

Any top tips as to how to stretch it back on?? Does sticking the belt in the airing cupboard help??

[V8 Fettler]

The Wedge experience is much better without the detriment of PAS.

At least, that's what I mutter when flailing around the steering wheel during parking manoeuvres.

[SLB]

You could buy a slightly different size from bearing boys.co.uk who have always given me good service on all different types of belts I've bought over the years.

[ElvisWedgely]

Take the belt you are having trouble with to a good spares shop and get them to give you one a few millimeters bigger. Even if you did get that belt on to the pulley by force, when you tighten up the pulley bolts, the belt will be on too tight and you may damage the pully bearings. Best to put one on slightly bigger and then that will give you room to adjust. You could also walk into a Halfrauds superstore and choose one yourself off the shelf, which is what I did when I did the same job on a V8 Wedge a while back.

Tony.TCB.

[Yatesy350i]

V8 Fettler said:

The Wedge experience is much better without the detriment of PAS.

At least, that's what I mutter when flailing around the steering wheel during parking manoeuvres.

I'll let you know if I agree. I've just managed to get my hands on complete PAS setup for my 350i. Fitting tomorrow with a bit of luck. The car drives great without but parking is a bind.

[KKson]

950mm too long and 850mm too short so now have selection of belts going up in 25 mm increments so one should fit. What is the correct deflection on the belt when tensioned correctly? Thanks.

[mrzigazaga]

Hi mate..The bible quotes 5-8mm at its longest point..There was a figure mentioned of 20mm but this was double what was quoted from the Haynes manual and the Wedge maintenance manual..Hope this helps...Ziga

[adam quantrill]

It depends how hard you press! Similar to the alternator belt in "tension" so about what Zig says but pressing with your thumb.

[ElvisWedgely]

As a general rule on these type of belts its 1/2 inch play on the longest side pressing with your thumb. The measurement is not that critical, as long as its not loose enough to slip or tight enough to damage the bearings. That is what I've been setting them up as for the last forty years. Power steering, alternator or dynamo.

Tony.TCB.

[KKson]

Thanks for the feedback. Still not won the battle with the V belt. 850mm too small, 875mm too long! I'm getting closer. I know the spares shop had a 864mm one so I'll try that tomorrow.

On a positive note a successful evening - anti-roll bar and rose jointed drop links all back in and looking shiny. Remote oil filter also all back in with new gasket and looking weep free (so far), front brakes stripped, cleaned, copper slipped (as they were squeaking) and back together and bonnet bolts drilled in readiness for lock wiring back in when the bonnet is refitted.

Oh, also more shiny bits arrived today. I've no finisher around the top of the seat belts, just two rough holes so got a couple of these to finish it off;



Time for bed said Zebedee.

[GOG440]

KKson said:

t
Oh, also more shiny bits arrived today. I've no finisher around the top of the seat belts, just two rough holes so got a couple of these to finish it off;



.

Oooh shiny stuff.

how much and where from?

[mrzigazaga]

Snap...

They make the belt pull out smoother and retract better..MGF/MGTF seat belt guides...
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/MGTF-MGF-ALLOY-SEAT-BELT...
Cheers..Ziga

PS: Just seen the belt clip, I meant to re-paint that...Doh!!

[Wedg1e]

mrzigazaga said:

They make the belt pull out smoother and retract better.

You'll probably find that what's really slowing the belt down is the friction as it has to pass the cross-brace tube at the front edge of the parcel shelf. The tube usually has a couple of bits of vinyl glued around it to help the belts slide past; the original Tasmin didn't have the cross-brace so it wasn't an issue on the early cars.
If the vinyl peels then the belt can become frayed, the tube is usually rusting after all these years...

[KKson]

[quote=mrzigazaga]Snap...

They make the belt pull out smoother and retract better..MGF/MGTF seat belt guides...
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/MGTF-MGF-ALLOY-SEAT-BELT...
Cheers..Ziga

Yes ditto fromEb. Prices vary from £12 to £15. Got mine for £14 including postage.

[adam quantrill]

KKson said:

Thanks for the feedback. Still not won the battle with the V belt. 850mm too small, 875mm too long! I'm getting closer. I know the spares shop had a 864mm one so I'll try that tomorrow.

I'm surprised it has to be that precise - as I remember the slots for adjustment of the PAS belt allow the pump to swing about an inch - or 25mm. The belt should get twice this adjustment - 50mm. So once you are within 25mm one of them will fit, surely?

Did you try the "string around the pulleys" method - then measure the string?

[mrzigazaga]

Wedg1e said:

You'll probably find that what's really slowing the belt down is the friction as it has to pass the cross-brace tube at the front edge of the parcel shelf. The tube usually has a couple of bits of vinyl glued around it to help the belts slide past; the original Tasmin didn't have the cross-brace so it wasn't an issue on the early cars.
If the vinyl peels then the belt can become frayed, the tube is usually rusting after all these years...

Thanks for that mate..I will have to have a looksie....Ziga

[KKson]

Hi, 864mm belt now in my hands so will try yet again tonight. Photo shows the orientation of the pump as is. Although there are slide adjusters there, the majority of movement is in the vertical position so this doesn't push the pump a huge distance out from the block. Can you confirm that this is the correct set up? As you look at the photo the top right hand bolt is the pivot and the next two bolts to the left are the sliders. Although the pump can rotate a good 60 degree the actual horizontal movement is less than 25mm.

[ElvisWedgely]

I did one on a 400SE a couple of years ago, and from memory that set up looks about right. There isn't a great deal of adjustment on there. I remember even just tightening up the three bolts set the belt tension to about the required tension without me even pushing it away from the block. Unless the belt you are using is too big. The belt you use should be a fairly tight fit over the pulley anyway. I hope that helps.

Tony. TCB.

Edited by ElvisWedgely on Tuesday 1st April 15:03

Edited by ElvisWedgely on Tuesday 1st April 15:05

[adam quantrill]

When mine went on it was quite tight to start with even on the closest pump setting but over a year or two it has stretched slightly to the correct tension.

[KKson]

864mm belt it is for mine. All fitted, all perfect. No leaks from oil remote, no squeaks from brakes or ARB. Life is good again after nearly 2 weeks without being able to have a drive.

Had a fast sprint around the local lanes - amazing how much induction noise there is with no bonnet!