Power Steering Belt: Removal? Are two belts better than one?

[Tom Warner]

Stop and think of all of the complaints you hear on this forum and
others about the power steering unit causing problems and making
noise. If you install the correct number of belts and tension them
properly as I noted then you should have no trouble for a long time.
I decided on replacing all of the V belts on the engine every 2 years
whether they looked good or not. I am sure there will be others that
will poo poo this for a number of reasons. But my rationale is this.
I do what ever preventative maintenance that will give me the
smallest chance of breaking down on the road. Its easiest, cheapest
and fastest to replace belts at home where I can do the work at my
leisure and do it right. The installation of the belts and proper
tensioning of them with the Kriket works.
Once again put to much tension on the various belts and you run the
risk of premature belt failure and problems with the power steering
pump and engine coolant pump. However that is a decision each of you
can make for yourselves.

tom warner
vernon center,ny
1985 PT 40


At 09:56 AM 6/17/2006, you wrote:

>My '81 has only one power steering belt - it goes around the crank
>and pump pulleys only. It is behind at least two other belts on the
>crank pulley, both need to be removed in order to get it off. In
>order to get to them, you need to get behind the radiator. I have
>tightened my power steering belt without opening up the rad though,
>its not easy but was definately quicker than swinging the radiator.
>
>Good luck,
>
>Tim Hannink
>Winter Park, FL
>1981 FC-33SB
>
>--- In
>WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com,
>"Dan" wrote:
> >
> > Howdy,
> >
> > I have a 1978 FC33, 3208NA, with disagreeable power steering
>(noise,
> > high effort).
> >
> > I want to replace the power steering belt to rule it out. So I
> > checked the files on this forum which state "2ea", My pump has one
> > belt and a one-belt pulley. Note: there is an un-used V slot on
>the
> > Crank Pulley, possibly intended to drive the PS pump. Can someone
> > solve this mystery? Any advantage to two belts?
> >
> > In looking at the belt, it is behind two other belts, which go up
>to
> > the fan with no obvious way to induce slack. Do I need to remove
>the
> > radiator to change the PS belt? Is there a procedure (or diagram)
> > someone can share with me.
> >
> > Thanks,
> >
> > Danny
> > FC33, 1978
> > San Jose, CA
> >
>
>