power steering problem
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Joined: Nov 2005
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From: Ann Arbor, MI
RE: power steering problem
If you want a good replacement belt, don't get a gatorback, as these become noisy faster than other brands. I've been doing a lot of belt testing at work lately, and the best belts I can recommend are the Contitech belts, and Bando belts. Both have good wear, and noise characteristics. The stock belt is a Contitech belt with the 'Mopar" name on it. You can always tell a Contitech belt by the backside texture. Contitech belts are bumpy on the backside, where other brands are usually smooth. On the topic of slip, and loss of power steering, thats just what happens when belts have excessive water applied to them. It's not a major issue, because that could be a clue your driving through too much water, and then you might want to think about your air intake, as it might be the same height as the power steering pulley. Just my $.02
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Joined: Feb 2005
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RE: power steering problem
ORIGINAL: motorhead426
If you want a good replacement belt, don't get a gatorback, as these become noisy faster than other brands. I've been doing a lot of belt testing at work lately, and the best belts I can recommend are the Contitech belts, and Bando belts. Both have good wear, and noise characteristics. The stock belt is a Contitech belt with the 'Mopar" name on it. You can always tell a Contitech belt by the backside texture. Contitech belts are bumpy on the backside, where other brands are usually smooth. On the topic of slip, and loss of power steering, thats just what happens when belts have excessive water applied to them. It's not a major issue, because that could be a clue your driving through too much water, and then you might want to think about your air intake, as it might be the same height as the power steering pulley. Just my $.02
If you want a good replacement belt, don't get a gatorback, as these become noisy faster than other brands. I've been doing a lot of belt testing at work lately, and the best belts I can recommend are the Contitech belts, and Bando belts. Both have good wear, and noise characteristics. The stock belt is a Contitech belt with the 'Mopar" name on it. You can always tell a Contitech belt by the backside texture. Contitech belts are bumpy on the backside, where other brands are usually smooth. On the topic of slip, and loss of power steering, thats just what happens when belts have excessive water applied to them. It's not a major issue, because that could be a clue your driving through too much water, and then you might want to think about your air intake, as it might be the same height as the power steering pulley. Just my $.02
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Professional
Joined: Jun 2005
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From:
RE: power steering problem
ORIGINAL: motorhead426
If you want a good replacement belt, don't get a gatorback, as these become noisy faster than other brands. I've been doing a lot of belt testing at work lately, and the best belts I can recommend are the Contitech belts, and Bando belts. Both have good wear, and noise characteristics. The stock belt is a Contitech belt with the 'Mopar" name on it. You can always tell a Contitech belt by the backside texture. Contitech belts are bumpy on the backside, where other brands are usually smooth. On the topic of slip, and loss of power steering, thats just what happens when belts have excessive water applied to them. It's not a major issue, because that could be a clue your driving through too much water, and then you might want to think about your air intake, as it might be the same height as the power steering pulley. Just my $.02
If you want a good replacement belt, don't get a gatorback, as these become noisy faster than other brands. I've been doing a lot of belt testing at work lately, and the best belts I can recommend are the Contitech belts, and Bando belts. Both have good wear, and noise characteristics. The stock belt is a Contitech belt with the 'Mopar" name on it. You can always tell a Contitech belt by the backside texture. Contitech belts are bumpy on the backside, where other brands are usually smooth. On the topic of slip, and loss of power steering, thats just what happens when belts have excessive water applied to them. It's not a major issue, because that could be a clue your driving through too much water, and then you might want to think about your air intake, as it might be the same height as the power steering pulley. Just my $.02
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Joined: Jun 2006
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RE: power steering problem
The tensioner has belt wear indicator marks on it to tell you if it has reached full travel. If it has, then you need a new belt, if the indexer is still between the min/max marks then you may need a new tensioner.
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RE: power steering problem
ORIGINAL: LoFlyer
The tensioner has belt wear indicator marks on it to tell you if it has reached full travel. If it has, then you need a new belt, if the indexer is still between the min/max marks then you may need a new tensioner.
The tensioner has belt wear indicator marks on it to tell you if it has reached full travel. If it has, then you need a new belt, if the indexer is still between the min/max marks then you may need a new tensioner.
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RE: power steering problem
The tensioner is basically two parts, the fixed part that is attached to the block and the articulating part that has the pulley on it. Take a look at the top of the fixed part, it has an arrow stamped on the top of it. You may need a flashlight to see this as it is raised only slightly and is same color/material as the body. This is your fixed index. Okay, now look at the part that is on the pulley side, you'll see and "I" and "II" stamped in it and they are separated by less than one inch. If you have a newer belt the "II" will be closer to the fixed index, as the belt gets older it moves towards the "I" and when it is on or past the "I" the belt is worn out. Let me know if you need more info.
RE: power steering problem
Here is one other thought for the tensioner pulley surface. If some very minor grooves could be rolled into the outer circuference, this would take a machine shop with a mill, then you could , in effect, do the same thing as power slot brake surface only with respect to water rather than outgassing brake pads. The reason I say rolling rather than cutting, is due to the fact that a rolled metal surface is less likely to fracture or crack.
From the sounds of what you are describing, it sounds like the tensoner spring is "light".
Every tensioner I've ever used to service the drive belt always took a ratchet or the like to really move it to any appreciable amount.
From the sounds of what you are describing, it sounds like the tensoner spring is "light".
Every tensioner I've ever used to service the drive belt always took a ratchet or the like to really move it to any appreciable amount.