power steering pump/belt Q

[Chazchuzzlewitt]

just replaced the belt on my 280SE after having a hard time finding a replacement. The one that came off was 12.5 x 818mm and the one I was given is 12.5 x 813. As a consequence the power steering pump is now tilted slightly on it's mounting. Will this affect the pump's operation or will it be ok until I can source the correct length belt?

 

[television]

just replaced the belt on my 280SE after having a hard time finding a replacement. The one that came off was 12.5 x 818mm and the one I was given is 12.5 x 813. As a consequence the power steering pump is now tilted slightly on it's mounting. Will this affect the pump's operation or will it be ok until I can source the correct length belt?

Sorry Chaz, you cant run it like that as it will ruin the bearings and seals. these things are set just so that the belt does not skid when cold. If there is anough metal to elongate the holes, you could do that, but not easy with it on the car.

malcolm

 

[Chazchuzzlewitt]

ok. just to let you know the pump is on a pivot bolt with a toothed adjuster for belt tension, so basically it's sitting lower down on the adjuster than it would with the longer belt, and the pump is tilted. I'm gonna go and find me the proper belt though...

 

[television]

If the belt is within the adjustment provided on the toothed adjuster, then you have no problem, we are talking 5mm here. I thought that you meant that it was forcing the pump out of line.

Malcolm

We used to have a saying that 12mm flexing on the longest side was perfect, these days things are not the same with serpentine belts, Power steering belts are as you say, very short, after fitting one , I would lever the pump outwards to make it tight, but not so tight as to make it bend the mountings.

 

[Chazchuzzlewitt]

yea, it's not pushed out of line, just the pump it'self is tilted a few degrees since the belt is 5mm shorter than the old one.