350i PAS - pulley fouling rack?

[sprevett]

Is it me, my wedge, or actually generally true that the PAS pump pulley is horribly close to the top of the steering rack? Mine has made contact causing nasty noises and steering judder due to loose bracket bolts, but even after my local mechanic has repaired it , the pulley seems ridiculously close....anyone else noticed this?.steve

[KKson]

No, not noticed it on mine and have recently spent some serious time down there trying to find a suitable V belt. Photo shows set up without the pulley fastened. The bottom of the pulley was a good 2" clear of the rack. Have you got the right belt? It seems that not all use the same size belts so a slightly shorter one would mean the pulley/steering pump would be slightly higher up on it's adjusters?

[sprevett]

Ahhh...wrong belt! That sounds like a distinct possibility, and yes I'm guessing that this could cause the pulley to be too near the rack. Do you know the correct part number for he right belt? Thanks for the reply and pic dude.

[KKson]

According to the spares list it should be 925mm but mine wasn't. The right one for mine was 864mm, and I tried everything from 825 to 925 in 25mm steps. I found it easier to remove the pulley, get the tension right by sliding the pulley/belt into temporary position, carefully remove the pulley and then tighten the main adjusters/bolts before refitting the pulley and belt for a final time. With the pulley in place it was a pig to get at two of the three bolts.

[adam quantrill]

I remember my first wedge had it and the pulley wore a small groove in the pas rack bracket ;^) Once the groove was worn it didn't get any bigger though.

[sprevett]

Ok I need to check what's fitted at the moment, and maybe thn see if a shorter belt is the answer. Incidentally what year is your wedge? Is it a 350? Mine is a C reg series 2.

[Toby Tram]

My pulley is quite close to the rack too. But it doesn't hit it. But I have thought I would select a shorter belt when the time comes, just to give a bit more clearance.

Adi

[KKson]

1988 series 2 350i F reg. cheers

[sprevett]

Ok thanks guys sounds like a shorter belt is the answer, or get a real mans wedge without PAS!

[sprevett]

And finally......mechanic told me that when you rev the engine the pulley moves away from the rack. Full throttle all the way then, problem solved.