Trouble changing power steering belt, 94 D-90

[Hans]

They were sqeaking and didn't look too good, so I figure time to change all the belts on my D-90. A quick trip to Napa gets me everything I need, and I go on my merry way home to change the belts. The alternator and water pump belts come off without much hassle as I figure out the adjustment systems, then comes the power steering belt.

I can not get the damned Power steering pump to move enough for me to change the belt! I managed to get some slack in the belt, and cut off the old one, but the pump will not move enough to allow the new belt onto the truck.

Is there a special technique? or should I just try removing the whole pump to do this? Any suggestions?

-Hans

[Hans]

Well, got the damn thing on finally. Involved removing the front bracket that attaches the power steering pump to the water pump, taking the PS pump off the mounts and that finally gave enough room to get the belt over it.

Is this something that other people have run into? Or am I just a spaz?

-Hans

[sherpamike]

Reviving an old thread here.

I am having the same issue replacing the PS belt. Whoever designed this thing was an idiot (and my entire apartment complex now knows it too beacause of my cursing)... there just isn't enough room to swivel that pump around.

Anyone figure out a better why to change this belt in the 5+ years since this thread was started? If not I guess I'll just try dismounting the pump...

[evilfij]

I took the pully off the pump and then put the belt on, and then put the pully back on.

But I am a hack.

Ron

[sherpamike]

Hmm... that sounds like a good idea. Is taking the pulley off as simple as it sounds? Just take the three bolts off the front?

[evilfij]

Yes.

Ron

[sherpamike]

Well that's good news then. Thanks Ron! I'll give it a try.

[evilfij]

I had to do this when I replaced my water pump a few weeks ago. IIRC that plus the adjustment got it to fit.

[phoenix37]

How to tighten this belt?! I cant get my pump to move at all. Loosened the bolt on the bracket but no movement. I took the pulley off to replace it but cant get it tight. What am i missing? Do i need to crow bar this thing to budge it?

[phoenix37]

Anybody? Im right in the middle of this and need to get the truck back on the road today.

[Neil McCauley]

I think you just use a pry bar (huge flathead screwdriver w angled head) to put tension on it as you tighten it up, you might need someone to apply tension on the prybar as you tighten the bolts.

[ECR]

I took the pully off the pump and then put the belt on, and then put the pully back on.

But I am a hack.

Ron


That is the way we hacks here at ECR do it too. :)

[sherpamike]

I did just as Neil described but used a big open-ended wrench. I think... I may have had someone hold tension on it while I tightened the bolts.

[phoenix37]

ok thats what i started to do and then i thought for sure i was going to break something. So Im glad i asked.