We can't figure this one out? After getting the rack and pinion kit installed, we put the belt for the powersteering pump and alt on. Test drove first time and the belt to the alternator snapped while driving. Thought okay wrong size belt, remeasured size of belt and got a new one. Test drove it again, same thing happend. What is causing the belt to snap while driving? I need answers soon it is driving me crazy.

 

what people have told me is that belts usually wear out or break because they are too tight, too loose, or one of the component pulleys has excess runout, shaft moves in and out. maybe that's a start. if it just breaks is it coming in contact with something as it moves?? dick r

 

Pulleys not aligned? What engine is this? Was it originally equipped with an alternator & PS?

 

Is the power steering pump a match for the power steering system? Is the pump turning in the correct direction? Checking the tension: Pull the dist cover so it doesn't start. Mark top of the belt with chalk. Set correct belt tension.Bump the starter to move the belt a few inches, check tension. Do this until the belt has been checked every few inches all the way around. This will check the pulleys etc. Does the belt stay on at various RPM's in park position? Careful of flying belts, they hurt like a bull whip. Previous ideas apply. chuck

 

Thanks for the quick response, I will use everyones suggestions and see what happens. Ross the truck has a 289 out of a 65 Mustang, I would guess it must of had power steering at one time due to the fact it already had a double pulley on it, but there was no power steering on it when we bought the mustang?

Chuck Yes the belt stays on while running at various RPM's while in Park, but drive it down the road just a few miles and its gone, like I said let me get back to it this weekend and see if any of your guys antidote will solve the problem A BIG THANKS to you all. I'll let you know what happens!

Kathy

 

Kathy, When you have it in park and running it have you tried moving the steering through its full range of motion? Almost sounds like your stalling the pump or a pulley is out of alignment. Is the belt chewed up or is it a clean break? does the belt show signs of over heating or frayed edges? By overheated I mean like the belt stopped turning but a pulley didn't.

 

We first checked to make sure the pulleys were aligned, everything checked out good, and the fix was oh so simple, the belts were to narrow for the pulleys, got wider belt and presto chango, it runs smooth as silk. Thanks for your help

 

Keep us updated on how that rack works out on the straight axle. I am not aware of anyone else around here running that setup

 

Hey Brian I got to tell ya, I'm more than pleased with the outcome of installing the rack and pinion kit from No Limit. It wasn't to difficult to install ( once we realized one of the brackets was bolted on upside down!) and the performance of the power steering is greater than what I expected. I would rate its performance to one that was factory installed.

Would certainly recommend it to anyone wanting Power steering, but keeping in mind that I haven't driven it alot since the install, but will keep you updated if anything goes wrong with it

Kathy

 

Yes...once you drive it a while...please let us know. Just so others may refer back to it. I am just really curious how it will work out with highway driving and the bumps.

I seriously doubt I ever add something like that to mine, but I am starting to look for factory parts to add power steering to mine.

 

................does anyone else see whats happening here? Is there anyone over there on the lightside even the least bit concerned that one of their own is having radical thoughts, that the incessant lurings of the darkside are even now creeping in a taking root inside poor Brian's brain?
Sure, it might seem like an innocent conversation about an "upgrade" (or as we in the dark like to call it--modification), an innocent expression of curiousity about the benefits of the "upgrade" and how the information could benefit others(plausible deniability??). Then the obligatory statement about how one would never do that to their truck, well.... ...maybe... ...with some factory parts.....

Let this be a lesson to all of you on the lightside, the pull of the dark is strong and never ending, it will creep into your dreams at night, it will sneak into your head while your wife is droning on and on about some trivial matter she experienced with her friends, it will slap you silly as you are driving down the road with your arm out the window..........it will never let you rest, you will never be safe......no one is immune.......

......just think how easy it would be to manuever your truck into the tiny parking spaces at work if you only had power steering, heck, then you wouldn't have to carefully clamp your cup of hot coffee between your legs (careful not to spill it while working the clutch and gas) so you could have both hands to crank that big wheel around. Speaking of that, you'd probably never spill your coffee if you had an automatic trans (that clutch chatter is what did it)......maybe a center console....yea, thats the ticket....with cup holders.....besides, its not really madifying anything, its just... ...its just.......an "upgrade"......you know........to make life easier and hold stuff...yea, I could do that......

Come on in, the waters fine

(just kidding with you Brian)
Bobby

 

Resistance is futile....

 

You Guys Are -------sick.

 

Mine is not a stocker (totally anyway). It is a driver. I have carpet, headliner, power brakes, radial tires, etc. that were not factory. Someday it will have seat belts. Someday it will have paint.I have BobJ's mirrors. I have halogen headlights. I am sure there are more parts that are not original (or repros).

Power steering with original ford parts (available in 56) is not any different.

I am in more of a gray area, since I drive mine almost daily.

 

Brain,

Yea, I knew that you had waded into the gray. But I also knew that you have a great sense of humor and I could jab you a bit without upsetting you.

Bobby