Power Steering Belt Job
 

Only question I have is whether aftermarket power steering
belts are all that inferior to OEM belts. Anyone?

Otherwise, a little report follows, for comments and/or the
archives.

We had some extreme cold (for where I live, out West) for a
couple weeks, whence I noticed that my car's engine was
making a light but quite noticeable squeaky-squealy sound
under all operating conditions. It was not too loud, but it
was definitely different from the engine area's usual
sounds. It seemed to be coming from the power steering belt.
I checked when it was changed last, and it appears neither I
nor any shop has touched it since before 2000, over 70k
miles ago.

Today I changed the PS belt with minimal trouble. One key
tip that I think has been noted here before, but I will note
again, since it was not in my Chilton's manual: The pump
housing has a 1/2-inch square receptacle on the top where
one may fit one's 1/2-inch drive breaker bar and pry to get
the belt tension and then tighten the pivot bolt.

The old belt was indeed /very/ cracked.

The engine sounds now seem to be back to normal. I haven't
road tested the car yet.

I used a "Duralast" belt for $7 from Autozone. A packet of
"belt dressing" cost me another $1 or so. I never used belt
dressing before, but I recollected people suggesting it here
in the past, so I thought I'd try it.

Re: Power Steering Belt Job
 

On Wed, 10 Jan 2007 21:29:26 GMT, "Elle"
<honda.lioness@nospam.earthlink.net> wrote:

>We had some extreme cold (for where I live, out West) for a
>couple weeks, whence I noticed that my car's engine was
>making a light but quite noticeable squeaky-squealy sound
>under all operating conditions.

Just for reference, unlike the majority of substances, rubber and
rubber-like compounds expand when cold and actually shrink when warmed
up. I would guess that is why you first noticed the belt slipping
when the car was cold.


Elliot Richmond
Itinerant astronomy teacher

Re: Power Steering Belt Job
 

On Wed, 10 Jan 2007 21:29:26 GMT, "Elle"
<honda.lioness@nospam.earthlink.net> wrote:

>We had some extreme cold (for where I live, out West) for a
>couple weeks, whence I noticed that my car's engine was
>making a light but quite noticeable squeaky-squealy sound
>under all operating conditions.

Just for reference, unlike the majority of substances, rubber and
rubber-like compounds expand when cold and actually shrink when warmed
up. I would guess that is why you first noticed the belt slipping
when the car was cold.


Elliot Richmond
Itinerant astronomy teacher

Re: Power Steering Belt Job
 

On Wed, 10 Jan 2007 21:29:26 GMT, "Elle"
<honda.lioness@nospam.earthlink.net> wrote:

>We had some extreme cold (for where I live, out West) for a
>couple weeks, whence I noticed that my car's engine was
>making a light but quite noticeable squeaky-squealy sound
>under all operating conditions.

Just for reference, unlike the majority of substances, rubber and
rubber-like compounds expand when cold and actually shrink when warmed
up. I would guess that is why you first noticed the belt slipping
when the car was cold.


Elliot Richmond
Itinerant astronomy teacher

Re: Power Steering Belt Job
 

On Wed, 10 Jan 2007 21:29:26 GMT, "Elle"
<honda.lioness@nospam.earthlink.net> wrote:

>We had some extreme cold (for where I live, out West) for a
>couple weeks, whence I noticed that my car's engine was
>making a light but quite noticeable squeaky-squealy sound
>under all operating conditions.

Just for reference, unlike the majority of substances, rubber and
rubber-like compounds expand when cold and actually shrink when warmed
up. I would guess that is why you first noticed the belt slipping
when the car was cold.


Elliot Richmond
Itinerant astronomy teacher

Re: Power Steering Belt Job
 

Elle wrote:
> Only question I have is whether aftermarket power steering
> belts are all that inferior to OEM belts. Anyone?

some, most definitely. others, like bando, are oem or better.

<snip>

> A packet of
> "belt dressing" cost me another $1 or so. I never used belt
> dressing before, but I recollected people suggesting it here
> in the past, so I thought I'd try it.

ugh. it's a fudge for slipping belts. i wouldn't touch it.

Re: Power Steering Belt Job
 

Elle wrote:
> Only question I have is whether aftermarket power steering
> belts are all that inferior to OEM belts. Anyone?

some, most definitely. others, like bando, are oem or better.

<snip>

> A packet of
> "belt dressing" cost me another $1 or so. I never used belt
> dressing before, but I recollected people suggesting it here
> in the past, so I thought I'd try it.

ugh. it's a fudge for slipping belts. i wouldn't touch it.

Re: Power Steering Belt Job
 

Elle wrote:
> Only question I have is whether aftermarket power steering
> belts are all that inferior to OEM belts. Anyone?

some, most definitely. others, like bando, are oem or better.

<snip>

> A packet of
> "belt dressing" cost me another $1 or so. I never used belt
> dressing before, but I recollected people suggesting it here
> in the past, so I thought I'd try it.

ugh. it's a fudge for slipping belts. i wouldn't touch it.

Re: Power Steering Belt Job
 

Elle wrote:
> Only question I have is whether aftermarket power steering
> belts are all that inferior to OEM belts. Anyone?

some, most definitely. others, like bando, are oem or better.

<snip>

> A packet of
> "belt dressing" cost me another $1 or so. I never used belt
> dressing before, but I recollected people suggesting it here
> in the past, so I thought I'd try it.

ugh. it's a fudge for slipping belts. i wouldn't touch it.

Re: Power Steering Belt Job
 

"Elle" <honda.lioness@nospam.earthlink.net> wrote in message
news:WUcph.12758$X72.11006@newsread3.news.pas.eart hlink.net...
> Only question I have is whether aftermarket power steering belts are all
> that inferior to OEM belts. Anyone?
>
> Otherwise, a little report follows, for comments and/or the archives.
>
> We had some extreme cold (for where I live, out West) for a couple weeks,
> whence I noticed that my car's engine was making a light but quite
> noticeable squeaky-squealy sound under all operating conditions. It was
> not too loud, but it was definitely different from the engine area's usual
> sounds. It seemed to be coming from the power steering belt. I checked
> when it was changed last, and it appears neither I nor any shop has
> touched it since before 2000, over 70k miles ago.
>
> Today I changed the PS belt with minimal trouble. One key tip that I think
> has been noted here before, but I will note again, since it was not in my
> Chilton's manual: The pump housing has a 1/2-inch square receptacle on the
> top where one may fit one's 1/2-inch drive breaker bar and pry to get the
> belt tension and then tighten the pivot bolt.
>
> The old belt was indeed /very/ cracked.
>
> The engine sounds now seem to be back to normal. I haven't road tested the
> car yet.
>
> I used a "Duralast" belt for $7 from Autozone. A packet of "belt dressing"
> cost me another $1 or so. I never used belt dressing before, but I
> recollected people suggesting it here in the past, so I thought I'd try
> it.
>

I've had whipping and early failures from standard Gates belts, but the
"green stripe" versions seem better. Better than OEM? I dunno.... In any
event, if a visual inspection of the belt at idle and with the throttle
gradually opened shows whipping of more than the amount of deflection the
belt has when stopped you really don't want that belt. I've found increasing
tension won't make a belt stop whipping.

I've started using belt dressing regularly on new belts, but I can't say how
much it has helped - if at all.

Mike

Re: Power Steering Belt Job
 

"Elle" <honda.lioness@nospam.earthlink.net> wrote in message
news:WUcph.12758$X72.11006@newsread3.news.pas.eart hlink.net...
> Only question I have is whether aftermarket power steering belts are all
> that inferior to OEM belts. Anyone?
>
> Otherwise, a little report follows, for comments and/or the archives.
>
> We had some extreme cold (for where I live, out West) for a couple weeks,
> whence I noticed that my car's engine was making a light but quite
> noticeable squeaky-squealy sound under all operating conditions. It was
> not too loud, but it was definitely different from the engine area's usual
> sounds. It seemed to be coming from the power steering belt. I checked
> when it was changed last, and it appears neither I nor any shop has
> touched it since before 2000, over 70k miles ago.
>
> Today I changed the PS belt with minimal trouble. One key tip that I think
> has been noted here before, but I will note again, since it was not in my
> Chilton's manual: The pump housing has a 1/2-inch square receptacle on the
> top where one may fit one's 1/2-inch drive breaker bar and pry to get the
> belt tension and then tighten the pivot bolt.
>
> The old belt was indeed /very/ cracked.
>
> The engine sounds now seem to be back to normal. I haven't road tested the
> car yet.
>
> I used a "Duralast" belt for $7 from Autozone. A packet of "belt dressing"
> cost me another $1 or so. I never used belt dressing before, but I
> recollected people suggesting it here in the past, so I thought I'd try
> it.
>

I've had whipping and early failures from standard Gates belts, but the
"green stripe" versions seem better. Better than OEM? I dunno.... In any
event, if a visual inspection of the belt at idle and with the throttle
gradually opened shows whipping of more than the amount of deflection the
belt has when stopped you really don't want that belt. I've found increasing
tension won't make a belt stop whipping.

I've started using belt dressing regularly on new belts, but I can't say how
much it has helped - if at all.

Mike

Re: Power Steering Belt Job
 

"Elle" <honda.lioness@nospam.earthlink.net> wrote in message
news:WUcph.12758$X72.11006@newsread3.news.pas.eart hlink.net...
> Only question I have is whether aftermarket power steering belts are all
> that inferior to OEM belts. Anyone?
>
> Otherwise, a little report follows, for comments and/or the archives.
>
> We had some extreme cold (for where I live, out West) for a couple weeks,
> whence I noticed that my car's engine was making a light but quite
> noticeable squeaky-squealy sound under all operating conditions. It was
> not too loud, but it was definitely different from the engine area's usual
> sounds. It seemed to be coming from the power steering belt. I checked
> when it was changed last, and it appears neither I nor any shop has
> touched it since before 2000, over 70k miles ago.
>
> Today I changed the PS belt with minimal trouble. One key tip that I think
> has been noted here before, but I will note again, since it was not in my
> Chilton's manual: The pump housing has a 1/2-inch square receptacle on the
> top where one may fit one's 1/2-inch drive breaker bar and pry to get the
> belt tension and then tighten the pivot bolt.
>
> The old belt was indeed /very/ cracked.
>
> The engine sounds now seem to be back to normal. I haven't road tested the
> car yet.
>
> I used a "Duralast" belt for $7 from Autozone. A packet of "belt dressing"
> cost me another $1 or so. I never used belt dressing before, but I
> recollected people suggesting it here in the past, so I thought I'd try
> it.
>

I've had whipping and early failures from standard Gates belts, but the
"green stripe" versions seem better. Better than OEM? I dunno.... In any
event, if a visual inspection of the belt at idle and with the throttle
gradually opened shows whipping of more than the amount of deflection the
belt has when stopped you really don't want that belt. I've found increasing
tension won't make a belt stop whipping.

I've started using belt dressing regularly on new belts, but I can't say how
much it has helped - if at all.

Mike

Re: Power Steering Belt Job
 

"Elle" <honda.lioness@nospam.earthlink.net> wrote in message
news:WUcph.12758$X72.11006@newsread3.news.pas.eart hlink.net...
> Only question I have is whether aftermarket power steering belts are all
> that inferior to OEM belts. Anyone?
>
> Otherwise, a little report follows, for comments and/or the archives.
>
> We had some extreme cold (for where I live, out West) for a couple weeks,
> whence I noticed that my car's engine was making a light but quite
> noticeable squeaky-squealy sound under all operating conditions. It was
> not too loud, but it was definitely different from the engine area's usual
> sounds. It seemed to be coming from the power steering belt. I checked
> when it was changed last, and it appears neither I nor any shop has
> touched it since before 2000, over 70k miles ago.
>
> Today I changed the PS belt with minimal trouble. One key tip that I think
> has been noted here before, but I will note again, since it was not in my
> Chilton's manual: The pump housing has a 1/2-inch square receptacle on the
> top where one may fit one's 1/2-inch drive breaker bar and pry to get the
> belt tension and then tighten the pivot bolt.
>
> The old belt was indeed /very/ cracked.
>
> The engine sounds now seem to be back to normal. I haven't road tested the
> car yet.
>
> I used a "Duralast" belt for $7 from Autozone. A packet of "belt dressing"
> cost me another $1 or so. I never used belt dressing before, but I
> recollected people suggesting it here in the past, so I thought I'd try
> it.
>

I've had whipping and early failures from standard Gates belts, but the
"green stripe" versions seem better. Better than OEM? I dunno.... In any
event, if a visual inspection of the belt at idle and with the throttle
gradually opened shows whipping of more than the amount of deflection the
belt has when stopped you really don't want that belt. I've found increasing
tension won't make a belt stop whipping.

I've started using belt dressing regularly on new belts, but I can't say how
much it has helped - if at all.

Mike

Re: Power Steering Belt Job
 

"Michael Pardee" <michaeltnull@cybertrails.com> wrote
> I've had whipping and early failures from standard Gates
> belts, but the "green stripe" versions seem better. Better
> than OEM? I dunno.... In any event, if a visual inspection
> of the belt at idle and with the throttle gradually opened
> shows whipping of more than the amount of deflection the
> belt has when stopped you really don't want that belt.
> I've found increasing tension won't make a belt stop
> whipping.

Okay. Thanks for the tip.

I took my Honda on the highway for a couple hours total
today. At first startup the new belt was a little squeaky,
but it made no initial squeal (as in loose belt), and is
certainly quieter than the old belt. I thought maybe it was
the belt dressing, breaking in, etc. After driving for a
couple hours, the car sounds back to normal.

'Course, I don't have much by way of splash protectors on
the bottom of the car anymore, and with the snowy weather
where I am, and slightly crazy driving due to a dearth of
snow plows, I think some crud may have jumped up in there
and been the proverbial straw that broke the camel's back.

> I've started using belt dressing regularly on new belts,
> but I can't say how much it has helped - if at all.

Okie-doke. Somehow it is hard to imagine too many problems
from a poorly designed or even installed PS belt. I would be
more concerned about the alternator belt and will go OEM
when it's due next.

Found a site today advising replacement about every 3-4
years or 36k-48k miles. They're cheap enough that this
sounds reasonable. Those interested should see
http://autos.yahoo.com/maintain/repa...ques040_2.html

Re: Power Steering Belt Job
 

"Michael Pardee" <michaeltnull@cybertrails.com> wrote
> I've had whipping and early failures from standard Gates
> belts, but the "green stripe" versions seem better. Better
> than OEM? I dunno.... In any event, if a visual inspection
> of the belt at idle and with the throttle gradually opened
> shows whipping of more than the amount of deflection the
> belt has when stopped you really don't want that belt.
> I've found increasing tension won't make a belt stop
> whipping.

Okay. Thanks for the tip.

I took my Honda on the highway for a couple hours total
today. At first startup the new belt was a little squeaky,
but it made no initial squeal (as in loose belt), and is
certainly quieter than the old belt. I thought maybe it was
the belt dressing, breaking in, etc. After driving for a
couple hours, the car sounds back to normal.

'Course, I don't have much by way of splash protectors on
the bottom of the car anymore, and with the snowy weather
where I am, and slightly crazy driving due to a dearth of
snow plows, I think some crud may have jumped up in there
and been the proverbial straw that broke the camel's back.

> I've started using belt dressing regularly on new belts,
> but I can't say how much it has helped - if at all.

Okie-doke. Somehow it is hard to imagine too many problems
from a poorly designed or even installed PS belt. I would be
more concerned about the alternator belt and will go OEM
when it's due next.

Found a site today advising replacement about every 3-4
years or 36k-48k miles. They're cheap enough that this
sounds reasonable. Those interested should see
http://autos.yahoo.com/maintain/repa...ques040_2.html