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

[Tom Warner]

Gregg if the requirement is for two belts then two belts should be
used and as you noted it is not for reducdancy. The friction between
the sides of the belt and the pully are what gives you the power
transmission that is required. Its the tension on the belt that
ensures that the belt makes good contact with the pully. So two
belts will have twice as much power handling ability as one belt. But
with that said two belts will put twice as much load on the bearings
of the power steering pump also not the same as with one belt.

. I only use Gates V80 belts all of which are automatically matched
with any other Gates V80 belt of the same size. Takes the guesswork
out of selecting belts. There is a rather complicated way to
mathematically calculate the size belt required for any two or more
pullys and the minimum tension required to transmit a specific power
but Gates simplified this by showing how tools like the Kriket can
take the guess work out of it. If you inspect the sides of a V belt
and it is shiny then there is slippage in the belt and you need to
find out why. Carefully check the contour of the belt with the pully
and make sure they match.
http://tinyurl.com/rng9m

Tom Warner
Vernon Center,NY

At 12:24 PM 6/18/2006, you wrote:

>Dan, two belts is not always better than one. If tension are
>identical on a set and the set age identical and react to heat
>identical it may help. If factors differ on a set, one belt will
>fail early and throw the other of a set and/or other appliance belts.
>Belts now use a softer rubber and stronger cord. the tension specs
>were written for the belts of the time.
>
>Lateral strain - two belts with 30 lbs tension each on a pully put
>30 lbs tension on the pully so does three and one belt . I find that
>appliances that startup reguardless of engine rpms require the shared
>torque start up strain spread out between belts. I dont think
>redundancy was a factor in engineering the requirement for the two
>belts.
>When I wash an engine down I keep degreaser and light oil solvent
>(diesel) away from the belts and hoses. I think they do damage to the
>rubber?
>
>Make a pully? wish you lived more south!
>
>I agree with Tom on the age replacement factor but every so often I
>replace the spare belts in my tool box (Irish trait called "Ima
>gonna" often trumped by other traits). The older a mechanic gets the
>more PM he/she does, I wonder if that is because there is more time
>or there is more learned experience?
>
>Gregory O'Connor
>94pt Romoland Ca
>Imagonna take the Christmass lights down this weekend for sure.
>
>--- In
>WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com,
>"Dan" wrote:
> >
> > Hi Tom,
> >
> > I agree, it's better to labor at home than fowl up a trip/vacation.
> >
> > My coach's PS pump pulley lacks a second V groove - it can take
>just
> > one belt. However, I am thinking that two belts confer the
>following
> > benefits, 1. redundancy, and 2. less lateral strain on the pump
> > bearings. If smart people like you agree with me, then I am going
>to
> > hunt down or make a pulley with two V grooves!
> >
> > Thanks,
> >
> > Danny
> > FC33, 1978
> > San Jose, CA
> >
> >
> > --- In
> WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com,
> Tom Warner
> > wrote:
> > > 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. > > tom warner
> > > vernon center,ny
> > > 1985 PT 40
> > >
>
>