So I'm in the middle of redoing alot on the truck. Motor is currently out with some changes being made to the stuff I rushed on in the winter/spring 2010 when building it the 1st time.

Had a major problem with keeping belts from squeeking or coming apart since getting it going. Was removing the power steering pump the other day to clean and paint the bracket and noticed that the shaft has about 1/8" play in and out.

Is this normal? This one came off an 02 and installed used last year when I did the hydroboost conversion. Checked the stock one I pulled (still have in a box) and it has the same play.

A couple of years ago when it was all still stock, I had it chew up a belt out of nowhere. Then in the spring of '10, I converted everything to the SD brackets and setup. So both brackets and all accessories are now out of SD with the Alt being on the drivers side and a/c on the pass. So none of the old stuff was used again. Still had belt issues after switching to the SD stuff. Went thru 3 belts due to massive squeeking (2 NAPA and 1 Motorcraft). The last one ended up chewing off a "rib" this past winter but didn't completely come apart. It's like it has a pulley or somethign that isn't aligned perfectly and the belt "jumped".

Wondering if the play in the power steering pump is normal or if that coupld be causing my belt issue?

Thanks guys.

 

Yea
I posted the same thing on mine a while back and everyone told me that thiers was that way too and its nothing to worry about, so long as its not leaking. Look over your vac pump mount I have seen then warp some and crack. I saw one cracked right off when the pump seized up. Helped some ole boy change it when he was at the part store.

You got a straight edge laser and you should be able to find some issues. Benig that everthing is out of the way. If not then it may be one of the steady pullies going out. RRanch is having belt issues too. Maybe he found something. I dont think he has the SD setup though. How tight does the belt slip on the tentioner with the SD set up?

I still have the old set up but when I slip a new belt on it its a struggle even with the tentioner wired to the finder well with #9 wire and a screw driver twist. I always do the belt that way, Dont wantta pull it over but once.

 

Mine was wearing the outside edge just a little but after putting on the gator belt it has stopped. Go figure.

Why only pull it once Rocky, is it hard on the tentioner?

 

Glenn
If your talking about wiring it over, no.

I think pulling it back and forth a couple of times is worse than a single pull over.

A lot of the time I tie it off with a leather strap attached to the ratchet. I keep the strap in the truck. Just in case I have to use the throw down serpentine

I also dont recomend using the Gates belt. Its a tad longer than stock replacement

 

Thanks Rocky. When I say that I've switched to the SD setup, that includes electric vac also since I only need it for the heater controls now that I have the hydroboost. No issues with cracked brackets. Glad to hear that both pumps I have aren't bad.

As for the belt tightness on the tensioner, it's the same as the stock OBS setup.