I'm thinking about removing my power steering belt...bad idea?

[whiteflash]

I'm sick of the squeaky belts whenever I start up the car; the fluid is fine, belt is tight, but it still squeaks. I really don't know what it is wrong with it, maybe i need a new belt. I'm thinking I might just cut the ps belt and drive it around like that, but I'm worried it might be quite the task man-handling the car around. Basically, I'm looking for people to chime in if they've ever removed the ps and how different it is...whether or not they think it's a good idea or not, etc. Any personal experience would be greatly appreciated. (it's a 95' GSX btw)...

thanks

 

[tkelly27]

Cut the belt. I can't say enough good things about it. One of the best things I've ever done to my car. I left the belt off for a week and liked it so much I took the whole power steering system out.

The only time I ever noticed it being bad was one time trying to eat doritos while talking on the phone and turn into my driveway.

If you ever come down portland way I can help you out too, but you won't want the belt back on or the power steering BS in your car at all.

 

[DSM1G90]

It's not hard to do those belts - loosen up the two ALT holddown bolts (the front pinch bolt and the main pivot bolt) so you can move the ALT forward to release the outer belt.

Roll the crank forward so the two holes in the PS pulley align up with the 14mm hold down bolts on the PS pump. Loosen those and also loosen the rear 14mm bolt on the PS pump. Then the PS can be swiveled forward to remove that belt.

If you're gonna get anal about that PS belt, you'd better drain all of the fluid out of the PS system. Otherwise, it's gonna take a monster to crank the steering wheel with all of that fluid still in the lines.

-DSM

 

[Defiant]

I'm sick of the squeaky belts whenever I start up the car; the fluid is fine, belt is tight, but it still squeaks.

http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/pro...-just-time-pics-video.html?highlight=harmonic

 

[Dsmj89]

Bleh defiant beat me to it. I was going to say to check your harmonic balancer and see if it isn't out of balance or bent.

 

[whiteflash]

http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/pro...-just-time-pics-video.html?highlight=harmonic

It doesn't sound like that at all...It's more of a high-pitched squeal then if i rev it up a few times it goes away almost completely...

 

[jbark]

i am and have been having the same problem. when i tighten the belts its fine for like 2 days and then starts again. im changing the alternator tomorrow due to dimming of lights so maybe that will help. and the balancer is ok as i checked it already.

 

[whiteflash]

Cut the belt. I can't say enough good things about it. One of the best things I've ever done to my car. I left the belt off for a week and liked it so much I took the whole power steering system out.

The only time I ever noticed it being bad was one time trying to eat doritos while talking on the phone and turn into my driveway.

If you ever come down portland way I can help you out too, but you won't want the belt back on or the power steering BS in your car at all.

I think I might just cut it then, and get a new belt if I can't live without power steering. But since I go to school in Tacoma, I won't be seeing my car for awhile anyway...

 

[tkelly27]

Do check your balancer though. That can become a huge problem if it is bad.