power steering belt troubles

[rjlichau]

hey i have a 1999 GST and i cant get the Power steering belt to fit properly. i have tried like 3 different sizes and nothing is fitting properly. i have gone to the dealership and to the local parts stores to see if they have the right size and i have had no luck. i have 3 belts that i am not even using. one belt is onlt 3 threads wide but is the right lenght but i need it to be 4 threads wide. the 4 thread wide ones that i have are too long. Is there a way to alter the length of the ones that are too long? i havent been able to find the length of the 3 thread belt in a 4 thread belt. am i maybe missing a spacer for the powersteering pulley to sit on or something?

 

[luv2rallye]

No you cannot change the length of a belt and you must use the 4 ribbed one. I assume you already tried adjusting the power steering (PS) unit belt tensioning? Loosen 2 bolts inside it's pulley (thru pulley slots) and 2 bolts on the other side, pull PS unit forward (use crowbar) until belt tight, tighten bolts.
If that doesn't work are you sure you have the stock PS unit, PS unit bracket, and water pump pulley? If so things have to fit.
I have a 99 GST and I use a Dayco belt #5040275 for PS (bought at auto store - probably at Napa).

 

[rjlichau]

yeah i tried to use a crow bar but then it pulls it to far andthe bolts have no holes to go in but i will take a look and see if i can adjust the inside bolts.
thanks

 

[luv2rallye]

Well you have to loosen all those bolts to adjust it. If it goes too far then you've got the wrong belt. Try the one I mentioned or a Gates belt (they're both top of the line).

 

[snox135]

yeah i tried to use a crow bar but then it pulls it to far andthe bolts have no holes to go in but i will take a look and see if i can adjust the inside bolts.
thanks

loosen the bolts only, you don't need to take them out.

 

[rjlichau]

yeah i have losened the bolts and i have taken them all the way out to look at everything. but i will try that belt that u mentioned.

 

[rjlichau]

i found that belt that u have and it is the same length as the ones that i have so it must be something else like it isnt the stocl pulley system that is in it. it looks like it is but i dont know. i need a belt that is 26 in but 4 ribs wide and i dont think that they exist.

 

[snox135]

All I found for 4 ribs is 25 in. or 27in. nothing in between. What belt was on it the 3 rib? Maybe you could take a pic of the pulleys and post them. It sounds like they are not stock.

 

[rjlichau]

the three rib is a 26 inch. i am starting to think that they are not stock too. also the prob could be that i just dropped in a new 4g63 from japan. maybe the motors over there are a little differnt or something. i was thinking of taking it to a shop to see if they can figure it out. maybe put a spacer in the ps mounting bracket or something. i dont know. i will try to put up pics tomarro but i dont really know how to do that considering i have like 6 or 7 posts....

 

[luv2rallye]

Ya around a 1/2" spacer block (or about a 1/2" bunch of washers) behind the PS bracket (may then need longer bolts) may be the way to go for you. Also how about measuring the diameter of the pulleys the belt is on for us (measure at belt point of contact)? BTW any attached pics must be no larger than 700x700 pixals (can use any photo editor to resize if needed). I think anyone can upload and attach pics with their reply (scroll down in your reply and see under "additional options").

 

[rjlichau]

i am using the 3 ribed belt right now becaue it is the only one that fits but it scheakes like a mother f'er. hopefully the pics will help

 

[rjlichau]

here are some more pics

 

[rjlichau]

i finally got something to work! i took off the bracket that holds the PS pulley and i put some spacer nuts in so that it extended off the bracket holder a little more. not all the bolts for the pulley bracket lined up after but enough did to where it was still sturdy. so now more of the bolts that hold the pulley to the bracket are in and i was able to get the belt really tight.

so thanks for all the help

rob