Power Steering Belt Replacement – Best Guide In 2023

The majority of car owners are comfortable with operating a variety of accessory systems, including alternators, air conditioning as well as power steering. The commonality they all share is that they’re driven by a Power Steering Belt Replacement and pulleys that give power to these components when the motor is operating. In most cases there is a single steering belt, which is the power source for all these parts, commonly called the serpentine belt (named this due to the snake-like pattern that it is placed). 

In certain vehicles the system for power steering is powered by its own belt, known as “the drive belt. Like other pieces of rubber in time, the steering belt wear down and will require replacement before they fail to ensure the vehicle runs solid and safe from the possibility of mechanical component failures. If the steering belt is not working Some of the most frequent signs are the sound of squealing underneath the hood when the engine is running or there are visible cracks or cuts on the drive or serpentine belt.

Materials needed

• A boxed wrench, also known as a the ratchet wrench
• Flashlight
• Jack stands and jacks or hydraulic lift
• Screwdriver with long blades with a long flat blade or pry bar
• Penetrating oil ( WD-40 or PB Blaster)
• Power steering belt replacement drive
• Pulley replacement (in certain cases)
• A regular sized flat blade screwdriver
• Equipment for safety (safety glasses and gloves)

1: Disconnect the battery of the vehicle 

Once the vehicle is elevated and supported by stand jacks, the very first thing to be done prior to replacing this component is to cut off the power source. Locate the battery of the vehicle and disconnect the negative and positive battery cables prior to moving on.

2: Dismantle the lower cover of your engine 

Based on the brand or model of your car it is possible to employ a socket and end wrench or Phillips screwdriver for removing the cover for the undercarriage. Remove the component and set it away from your work space.

3: Check if your alternator belt has to be taken off first

In some cars the alternator belt sits located in the direction of the belt for power steering. This is commonplace for four-cylinder engines, particularly. If this is the situation you should consult the owner’s manual of your vehicle and follow the directions to remove the belt from the alternator. In most instances it is only necessary to remove the steering belt but not the alternator in order to be able to access the power steering belt.

4: Find your power steering pump

In the majority of inline engines, it is the power steering system that is likely to be on either the passenger or driver face of the engine compartment. V-type engine (6 or 8 cylinders) usually have the power steering pump just in forward of the motor.

5: Find the tensioner pulley

Spray the bolts on top and bottom with oil that penetrates. Two bolts to loosen are the ones that are holding tension against the pulley. Most of the time the bolts are extremely tight because of corrosion. Spray the bolts with penetrating oils like WD-40, and allow them to soak for approximately five minutes prior to continuing.

6: Release the top pulley bolt

The bolt on the bottom With an end wrench, loosen the top bolt first, then loosen the bottom bolt. Don’t take off the bolts, however ensure that the pulley is in good condition and is able to be moved up and down by hand.

7: Unlock the bolts for power steering using the same procedure as described above 

Find your power steering pump, then loosen the bolts at the top and bottom according to earlier steps. You should ensure that they are not loose and not ripped off.

8: Remove tension on the pump that drives it

In many instances the pump is likely to be secured tightly to its housing even when the bolts loosening. Make use of a pry bar or a long-end wrench to exert pressure on the pump. This will make the belt loose further, allowing you to remove the belt from the pulleys.

9: Take off the belt 

After the tension pulley as well as the steering power pulley are loose and you are able to slide the old steering belt off quickly.

10: Put the new belts on the pulleys

With the teeth side-down move the steering belt across the crankshaft pulley the pulley for the power steering pump along with the tensioner pulley.

11: Pressure the motor

Make sure the bolts are tightened In step 8, we used a pry bar in order to press the pump forward, allowing tension to be released. In this step, reverse the process by pushing the pump backwards to make the pulley tighter. Keep this pressure up and tighten the bolt on the bottom first, and then the bolt on top. When both bolts are tight Release tension from the pry bar before proceeding with the following step.

12: Tighten the pulley of the tensioner and increase the tension on the bolts 

Following the same process as described above apply the tensioner pulley with pressure to ensure that the steering belt stays secure at all three points of access. Keep the tensioner in the proper position. pulley. Tighten the top bolt first, then the bottom bolt to ensure that the belt is tightened in the correct way.

13: Test the replace the belt

Hold the belt in your hands, then turn the belt to test its function. The steering belt should be able to spin smoothly on the crankshaft, tensioner and the power steering pump pulley with no issues.

14: Replace all the parts you took off 

Power Steering Belt Replacement and alternator (if you needed to remove them) Replace the cover on the engine and then connect batteries.

15: Test drive your vehicle

Start by testing the operation of your vehicle. Check for any sound emanating at the rear of the engine, for example the steering belt that is squealing. If you hear this sound, stop the engine and check the belt’s tension. If you don’t notice any indications, then try driving your car for around 10 miles. When you get home, take the hood off and tighten the bolts you loosen to be on the safer side.

This task is quite simple to carry out, but in the case of replacing the serpentine belt it may be difficult for even skilled DIY mechanics. If you’ve followed these directions and aren’t 100% confident about completing this repair, call one of the Local ASE accredited mechanics at Your Mechanic to finish the Power Steering Belt Replacement task for you.

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