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

[Tom Warner]

Leroy I agree with you. I save the old belts that I take off and use
them as spares, same with coolant hoses. They will normally work fine
if they have to be installed away from home until I get back home and
put new ones on. There is a reason for that. I dont believe it is a
good idea to store new belts for they will deteriorate with age. I
prefer to install new ones. When I sold my FC35 gave the new owner
another starter, belts,hoses,Cat 3208 pan gaskets,filters,new LN 160
alternator and lots of other spare parts.

I carry 4 double sided plastic see thru parts boxes (actually fishing
tackle boxes) that I have picked up at garage sales for a couple of
dollars each. In one of them I have all of the tools and parts to
repair anything in the dash within reason of course. In the others I
carry hose clamps, shrink wrap of different sizes, metal self tapping
screws, tape, one of each relay in the coach and generator, a dozen
Bosch relays and sockets, and lots of other things. Another special
box holds my A/C gauges and O rings. Not much that I cant do even on
the road. Am in the process of designing a cherry finish tool box to
fit in the place where the Snap on box once was. Fellow that owned
the coach before me wouldnt part with it(cant blame him). I can
carry a lot more tools in one specifically designed for the tools I have.

Tom Warner
Vernon Center,NY
1985 PT 40

At 09:21 PM 6/17/2006, you wrote:

>Yes sir, I agree with you completely and I added to that list
>pressurized radiator caps, thermostats, minor water carrying
>pressurized hoses, sending units etc. These items are cheaper than
>being towed outa who knows where.
>
>Leroy Eckert
>1990 WB-40
>Niceville,FL
>
>--- In
>WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com,
>Tom Warner
>wrote:
> >
> > 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
> > > >40yahoogroups.com>WanderlodgeForum@y\
ahoogroups.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
> > > >
> > >
> > >
> >
>
>