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Power steering failure - belts came off, how to fix?

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Old 04-04-2002, 08:54 PM
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SkipSauls
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Question Power steering failure - belts came off, how to fix?

I was adjusting the new steering wheel on my 928 today to get it centered. It seemed to be right, so I took it out on a back road and accelerated to about 80 MPH to check it out. Everything was good, so I slowed down to about 40 MPH for 25 MPH turn. The steering was very heavy, so I put some muscle into it. I realized that the power steering was out, so I got to drive the 928 for a while without it. Not as bad as a 2 ton pickup without PS, but still pretty heavy.

I got home and thought that maybe it had blown a fuse or something, but I popped the hood (motor still running) to check for any leaks. I noticed not one, but two belts had come lose! One is obviously the power steering, but the other I'm not sure of yet. I'd guess AC, as the car was running well otherwise. Luckily the belts had slipped into a position where they weren't hitting anything else. I didn't hear any underhood "violence", but I'd bet that it happened when I was accelerating like a bat out of hell on that back road.

I'm looking on Greg Nichols' site and will check those of John Pirtle and others to see if anyone covers how to put these back on. I'm taking the car to a local shop tomorrow and would prefer to be able to drive it rather than have it flatbedded...

Any suggestions or pointers are greatly appreciated!

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Old 04-04-2002, 09:27 PM
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Jim Wilson
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Skip,

I have a '79 Euro that into whose engine compartment I have looked into a lot lately, and it might be the same.

If the other belt is on the right, it is the alternator, but it is probably not that, because of no warning lights. The left side will most likely be the AC. My car has an air pump there too, but not sure about your MY.

I haven't had to unhook the PS pump, but it is attached by a bracket extending up and right from more toward the middle of the engine. I imagine it is just a matter of loosening one of the bolts from the bracket, slipping the belt back over, and then tightening up the bolt again.

I did have to take the belt off of my alternator recently, and one tip there, if that is one of the belts, is that you need to loosen the pivot bolt above the alternator before trying to pivot the alternator down.

Hope I was of some help, but most likely someone else will reply with much more info.

Jim Wilson
'79 Euro 5-speed
Old 04-04-2002, 11:05 PM
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Greg86andahalf
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As far as the other belt goes, make sure your fan is still turning. On my 86, the fan (middle pulley behind fan support)and the air pump (upper passenger side) run off of the same belt. A/C is lower passanger side, Alternator is wide, flat , ribbed belt below steering which are both driver's side.

I would not drive it unless I was was at least sure what other belt is off. If it is alternator or fan, don't drive it.

If you can describe the location, someone can probably tell you which belt it is.

Greg
Old 04-05-2002, 12:36 AM
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Nicole
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From S4 on, the fans are electric.
Old 04-05-2002, 10:34 AM
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Greg86andahalf
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Whoops!
Sorry Skip, I missed the year of the car at the bottom.

Greg
Old 04-05-2002, 11:38 AM
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Russell82
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Likely not the source of your problem, but FYI &lt;500 miles after having my local dealer do the Tbelt I lost a couple of belts when the bolt on the crankshaft pulley cluster backed out enough to allow the cluster to get loose and out of alignment. Torque spec on that bolt is like 200+, which is a real bear to get even with a BIG wrench. Mechanic likely forgot to torque it down, luckily no damage. Good luck.



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