StratfordShark

I've started stripping down for a TB job, using Dwayne's superb write-up.

Just removing belts and though the air pump belt is very slack, I can't get it off the pulley at the pump.

I have removed the bolt at the compressor/air pump support bracket, loosened the air pump pivot bolt, and loosened the lock nut in the bracket slot (though I'm not sure how that bracket can help loosen anything when that bracket is no longer bolted in with the compressor?).

The air pump can be moved around a bit, but not so far that I can slip the pulley off. I can pull it off so that it is off the pulley as I look up from below, but then can't persuade completely off at the top.

I'm sure I'm missing a simple trick so am grateful for any advice on how to remove it so I can continue with procedure. I'm now worried about replacing the belt if it is this hard to take off!

The loose belt in the picture to left of air pump is the compressor belt, which came off with no problem.

Thanks

John Speake

Turn the engine by hand while you help the belt off the pulley with a suitable lever.

Speedtoys

Removing belts?


Knives work.


Yup.

linderpat

What John said. also, you can be assured that no matter how hard or how easy they come off, they will be very challenging to put back on - I always struggle with that with the belts.

Best way to remove is to just cut it off. Unless it is a newer belt, they should be considered a regular maintanence item and they are cheap enough that replacement should be a no brainer.

OKB

I always cut them off

Bertrand Daoust

Did you move the A/C compressor out of the way first?
If I remember well, you need to do this first to give some space to move the air pump enough to remove the belt.

StratfordShark

Thanks all.

I'll try John's suggestion first but was thinking I ought to replace anyway as part of the job. If I go that route then cutting is efficient!

Bertrand I did loosen the compressor first to allow room.

StratfordShark

All done now. It was much easier after pulling the fan shroud - could then get full hand on the belt at the pump pulley. Dwayne sequences it with fan shroud pulled after belts (alt and air) off, but I think it's easier working in that space with the shroud off to start with.

mike77

Good luck with the tbelt job. It may be worth pulling the radiator as well while you do it. It doesn't take long, creates a lot of extra room and gets the expensive radiator out of harms way.

StratfordShark

Thanks for suggestion Mike. My 1st job on list today is to protect (new!) rad. Will cover with thick cardboard. If I find it's getting in way as job proceeds will pull it.

FredR

The fan shroud and the radiator are probably the first things that you should remove when doing the TB/WP- as you say just to create some space to work in. I do not bother with the air pump- it was only a legalistic frig for the US market regs anyway and serves no real world purpose that I could tell- maybe others know different.

The problem I found was getting the a/c belt off. Even with the compressor moved forward to end of travel there was no way I could see that the belt was going to come off even using the technique John suggested for the air pump. I found I had to undo the compressor cradle- a bit of a sod when working under the car but I managed it. Damn sure I must have missed a trick there- it will be interesting to see if you have the same experience.

Rgds

Fred