Power Steering Belt

[icywhitesoulja]

I have a 1996 Eclipse RS (420A)

My problem is that my belt keeps slipping off and starts to get torn from sitting on the edge. This is will be my 2nd time fixing this problem. Instead of getting the part replaced would it be a wise idea to remove the power steering? Or is there a fix for this? I did also note that my power steering fluid was low too.

 

[luv2rallye]

Make sure the pulleys are lined up exactly (not one a little to the left or right) and they are not bent.

 

[JessesTalon]

if the belt is tearing something is probably not tight enough and is causing a slight angle on the belt...look everything by the eye and see if it looks straight, usually doesnt take much to kill a belt

oh and if your fluid level is low, FILL IT UP!

 

[JessesTalon]

my dsm has no power steering and it SUCKS to drive around town! and parking!

 

[icywhitesoulja]

should I dish out the extra money and buy a "Hi-Preformance Belt" Napa's selling them for 60 bucks..

 

[SBstar]

Have you or someone else worked on your crank pulley lately? It is a bugger to get all the way on (I know this from my old 95 ESI) and if it isn't lined up correctly you'll be snapping belts. Get out the old torque wrench and make sure you have it torqued properly. If not that maybe a pulley is bent and that will throw off the alignment, lastly make sure the tensioner is working properly.

 

[gthompson97]

should I dish out the extra money and buy a "Hi-Preformance Belt" Napa's selling them for 60 bucks..

no, i don't believe in "high-performance" belts. a belt is a belt, it drives the accessories.

Have you or someone else worked on your crank pulley lately? It is a
bugger to get all the way on (I know this from my old 95 ESI) and if it isn't lined up correctly you'll be snapping belts. Get out the old torque wrench and make sure you have it torqued properly. If not that maybe a pulley is bent and that will throw off the alignment, lastly make sure the tensioner is working properly.

i agree. i had this problem too when i replaced my engine(s). i blew about 3 belts before i finally realized the problem, you have to take a small sledge (2.5 lb) and tap the pulley on, don't smash it caues you'll #### things up, but if you tap nicely and wait till you hear a solid "thud", then you know it's all the way.

also just out of curiosity, are you tightening the belt idler pulley as well when you change the belts and not just tighten the tensioner bolt? if not, that will ride crooked and cause your belts to ride funny and rip and break.

 

[SBstar]

Yeah don't be smashing on it. What we did was tap it then torque, tap then torque, we used a few extra pounds as well just to make sure. I went through 2 belts and the 3rd was on the way and we'd tried to fix it once before. Also the good point on the tensioner from thompson97. And no I wouldn't go with a high performance belt as far as the accesories go, I've never had a problem with the regular ones, only when they weren't on correctly or lined up improperly.

 

[gthompson97]

Also the good point on the tensioner from thompson97. .

how bout a rep. point??

 

[luv2rallye]

should I dish out the extra money and buy a "Hi-Preformance Belt" Napa's selling them for 60 bucks..

I wouldn't for a PS belt. Besides if the problem isn't the belt (which it sounds like), it will rip up whatever belt you put on no matter how good it is.