Date:         Tue, 20 Apr 2004 19:13:08 -0700
Reply-To:     Rob Campbell <rob@PHEMP.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Rob Campbell <rob@PHEMP.COM>
Subject:      Re: PS V-belt (it screams)
In-Reply-To:  <20040419222029.3569.qmail@web12821.mail.yahoo.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed

I want to thank everyone who gave me such specific hand-holding for the
power steering v-belt replacement procedure.  I was able to find a
v-belt (though at first they gave me the wrong belt...  correct
cardboard sleeve/barcode, but wrong contents).

Couple things.  The belt goes around a coolant hose, which connects to a
small pipe (held in place with clip right under the back lip/rim of the
engine hatch).  This had to be disconnected to get the hose on.  Is this
normal, or should the hose have enough slack to be routed around the
v-belt?  It seems like someone just took a short-as-possible shot right
through the belt.  This is not a huge hassle,  but if its incorrect,
I'll add to to my "wishlist" of eventual fixes.

Also, just took it for a test drive, the steering is wonderfully
restored, but it screams a bit if I turn all the way hard in either
direction.  The tension is as close as I could get it to what was
described (about 1/2" in the middle of the belt).  However, it is a bit
more slack than that other 2 belts.  Perhaps I am not using enough force
for the 1/2" test?

It was indeed a "fun" time levering the pump to maintain tension while
also trying to tighten up the adjustment bolt.  I need to wait for the
engine to cool before I want to stick my hands in there again, and by
that time it will be dark, so this will have to wait until tommorow.  In
the meantime, does it make sense that the "scream" would occur if the
belt is too loose?  Is it better to err on the side of too tight?

Thanks a lot for helping me take these baby-steps towards
self-sufficiency, this list is fantastic!

Rob Campbell
87 Westy, Seattle