Im trying to change my power steering belt and i cant figure out how to tighten the belt itself

tighten or change power steering pump belt if persist replace power steering pump

Drive Belts

• INSPECTION
• ADJUSTMENT
• REMOVAL & INSTALLATION

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INSPECTION

See Figures 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5
Check the condition and tension of all drive belts every 12,000 miles, or at least once a year. Loose drive belts can lead to poor engine cooling and diminished alternator, power steering pump, air conditioning compressor, or emission air pump output. A belt that is too tight places a strain on the bearings in the driven component.

Fig. Fig. 1: There are typically 3 types of accessory drive belts found on vehicles today

Fig. Fig. 2: An example of a healthy drive belt

Fig. Fig. 3: Deep cracks in this belt will cause flex, building up heat that will eventually lead to belt failure

Fig. Fig. 4: The cover of this belt is worn, exposing the critical reinforcing cords to excessive wear

Fig. Fig. 5: Installing too wide a belt can result in serious belt wear and/or breakage
Replace any drive belt that is glazed, worn, cracked, or stretched to the point where correct adjustment tension is impossible. If two belts are used to drive a component, always replace both belts when replacement is necessary. After installing a new belt, run the engine for ten minutes, shut OFF the engine and recheck the belt tension. Readjust if necessary.

ADJUSTMENT

See Figures 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10

Fig. Fig. 6: Engine belt tension chart-2.2L engines

Fig. Fig. 7: Engine belt tension chart-1987-89 2.5L engines

Fig. Fig. 8: Engine belt tension chart-2.6L engines

Fig. Fig. 9: Engine belt tension chart-1990-93 models

Fig. Fig. 10: Engine belt tension chart-1994-95 models
Two popular methods of checking drive belt adjustment are; the Belt Tension Gauge Method and the Belt Deflection Method. The former requires a special gauge and the latter requires a straight edge and scale or just a good eye for measurement. The deflection method will be used in the following belt replacement instructions. A rule of thumb for checking belt tension by the deflection method is to determine the midpoint between two pulleys of the drive belt and press down at that point with moderate thumb pressure. The belt should deflect to the measurement indicated in the following installation procedures. Adjustment is necessary if the belt is either too loose or too tight.

WARNING A belt adjustment which is either too loose or too tight will eventually damage the accessory that belt is driving. A too loose adjustment allows free-play in the belt which could transfer a whipping motion or shock to the accessory drive pulley. Similarly, a belt which is too tight will preload the accessory bearings, leading to early failure.

REMOVAL & INSTALLATION

See Figure 11
Raise the front of the vehicle, support on jackstands and remove the lower splash shield if access is hampered due to space limitations when changing drive belts.

Fig. Fig. 11: Support the vehicle, then remove the lower right side splash shield for access to the drive belts
2.2L Engines
A/C COMPRESSOR DRIVE BELT
See Figures 12, 13 and 14

Fig. Fig. 12: A/C compressor drive belt adjusting points-2.2L engines

Fig. Fig. 13: Loosening the locking screws for A/C compressor drive belt removal

Fig. Fig. 14: Removing the A/C compressor drive belt from under the vehicle

1. Loosen the idler pulley bracket pivot screw and the locking screw.
2. Remove the belt and install a replacement.
3. Using a breaker bar and socket apply torque to the welded nut provided on the mounted bracket to obtain proper tension.
4. Tighten the locking screw first, followed by pivot screw. Tighten to 40 ft. lbs. (55 Nm).

ALTERNATOR DRIVE BELT (CHRYSLER TYPE)
See Figures 15 and 16

Fig. Fig. 15: Alternator belt adjustment-2.2L engine

Fig. Fig. 16: Loosening the locking screw for alternator drive belt removal
If removal of the alternator belt is required, the A/C belt must first be removed.

1. Loosen the pivot nut, locking screw, and the adjusting screw.
2. Remove the belt and install a replacement.
3. Adjust to specification by tightening the adjusting screw.
4. Tighten the locking screw to 25 ft. lbs. (34 Nm).
5. Tighten the pivot nut to 30 ft. lbs. (41 Nm).

ALTERNATOR DRIVE BELT (BOSCH TYPE)
If removal of the alternator belt is required, the A/C belt must first be removed.

1. Loosen the pivot nut, locking nut, and adjusting screw.
2. Remove the belt and install a replacement.
3. Adjust to specification by tightening the adjusting screw.
4. Tighten the locking nut to 25 ft. lbs. (34 Nm).
5. Tighten the pivot nut to 30 ft. lbs. (41 Nm).

POWER STEERING BELT
If removal of the power steering belt is required, the A/C and alternator belts must first be removed.

1. Loosen the locking screw, and pivot screw.
2. Remove the belt and install a replacement.
3. Install a 1 / 2 in. breaker bar into the pump bracket slot, apply pressure with the breaker bar and adjust the belt to specification.
4. Tighten the locking screw first, then the pivot screw. Tighten to 40 ft. lbs. (55 Nm).

AIR PUMP DRIVE BELT
See Figure 17

Fig. Fig. 17: Air pump belt adjustment-2.2L engines
When servicing the air pump, use the square holes provided in the pulley to prevent camshaft rotation.

1. Remove the nuts and bolts retaining the drive pulley cover.
2. Remove the locking bolt and pivot bolt from the pump bracket, then remove the pump.
3. Remove the belt and install a replacement.
4. Position the pump, then install the locking bolt and pivot bolt finger-tight.
5. Install a 1 / 2 in. breaker bar into the bracket assembly (block the drive pulley to prevent camshaft rotation), and adjust the belt to specification.
6. Tighten locking bolt and pivot bolt to 25 ft. lbs. (35 Nm).

2.5L Engines
AIR CONDITIONING COMPRESSOR
See Figure 18

Fig. Fig. 18: Drive belt adjustment points-2.5L engines

1. Loosen the idler bracket pivot screw and the locking screws to replace, or adjust belt.
2. Remove the belt and install a replacement.
3. Adjust the belt to specification by applying torque to weld nut on the idler bracket.
4. Tighten locking screw first, followed by the pivot screw. Tighten to 40 ft. lbs. (55 Nm).

ALTERNATOR BELT
See Figure 18
If replacement of the alternator belt is required, the A/C drive belt must first be removed.

1. Loosen the pivot nut, locking nut, and adjusting screw.
2. Remove the belt and install a replacement.
3. Adjust the belt to specification by tightening the adjusting screw.
4. Tighten the locking nut to 25 ft. lbs. (35 Nm).
5. Tighten the pivot nut to 30 ft. lbs. (40 Nm).

POWER STEERING PUMP
See Figure 18
If replacement of the power steering belt is required, the A/C and alternator belts must first be remove.

1. Loosen the locking screw and pivot screw to replace, or adjust the belt.
2. Remove the belt and install a replacement.
3. Using a 1 / 2 in. breaker bar positioned in adjusting bracket slot, adjust the belt to specification.
4. Tighten the locking screw followed by the pivot screw. Tighten to 40 ft. lbs. (55 Nm).

2.6L Engines
ALTERNATOR/AIR CONDITIONING COMPRESSOR BELT
See Figure 19

Fig. Fig. 19: Drive belt adjustment points-2.6L engines

1. Loosen the locking screw, jam nut, and pivot nut.
2. Loosen the adjusting screw.
3. Remove the belt and install a replacement.
4. Adjust the belt to specification by tightening the adjusting screw.
5. Tighten the locking screw followed by the pivot nut. Tighten to 16 ft. lbs. (22 Nm).
6. Tighten the jam nut to 21 ft. lbs. (28 Nm).

POWER STEERING PUMP BELT
See Figure 19
If replacement of the power steering belt is required, the alternator and A/C belt must first be remove.

1. Loosen the pivot screw, and the locking screw.
2. Remove the timing pickup.
3. Remove the belt and install a replacement.
4. Install a 1 / 2 in. breaker bar in the adjusting bracket slot, torque to specification.
5. Tighten the locking screw, followed by the pivot screw. Tighten to 40 ft. lbs. (55 Nm).
6. Install the timing pick-up, and tighten to 160 inch lbs. (18 Nm).

Loosen the bolts that attach the power steering pump to the bracket. then push the pump down. this should make the belt loose enough to get off. then put the new belt on. take a pry bar and stick between the motor and the power steering pump through the top. push on the pry bar to raise the power steering pump and tighten the belt. while pushing on the pry bar to keep tension on the belt tighten the bolts that you loosened and you've changed your power steering belt. this can be done by one person, but it's a lot easier with two.

Hello and welcome to FixYa!

The problem can be on the power steering pump itself. If the power steering pump is faulty, the power steering fluid does not circulate properly. One good reason why it squeaks when wheel is turned. Check the power steering belt too if they are not sloppy. If it is, adjust the pump to tighten the belt.

But before doing the power steering pump replacement, please do check the power steering fluid level. You may need to fill it up a little and turn the wheel from left to right. By turning the wheel to the max left and max right, the steering fluid will circulate and may get rid of the problem.

If the problem still persists after putting on new fluids, go for the power steering pump replacement. Be sure to tighten the power steering belt after replacement.

Hope this helps and thank you for using FixYa! Have a good one!

Power Steering Pump
See Figures 9, 10, 11 and 12

1. Remove the air cleaner intake tube and air cleaner assembly.
2. Loosen the power steering pump bolt and the adjustment locknut. Make sure the belt is properly seated on the pulley before adjustment.
   1. Turn the adjustment bolt to set the belt tension.
   2. Use Rotunda offset belt tension gauge 021-0028A, or equivalent, and following the tool manufacturers instructions, adjust the belt to the following specifications:
      
      New belt: 110-132 lbs. (50-60 kg). Run the engine for 10 minutes, then readjust the tension to 110-132 lbs. (50-60 kg). Used belt: 95-110 lbs. (43-50 kg).
      
   3. Tighten the power steering pump bolt to 27-38 ft. lbs. (37-52 Nm).
   4. Tighten the adjustment locknut to 14-19 ft. lbs. (19-25 Nm).
   5. Install the air cleaner and intake tube.

   

   

   
   

I don't have the figure for your car, but the below figure shows how to remove the A/C belt.
the other belts should have a simple slot in the bracket for adjusting. If you have more questions, let us know.


3.0L SOHC Diamante

1. Disconnect the negative battery cable.
2. Loosen the lockbolt on the face of the A/C tensioner pulley.
3. Turn the adjusting bolt of the A/C tensioner pulley to loosen the tension of the A/C belt.
4. Remove the A/C compressor belt.
5. Loosen the locknut on the face of the power steering/alternator tensioner pulley.
6. Turn the adjusting bolt of the tensioner pulley to loosen the tension of the belt.
7. Remove the power steering/alternator belt.
   

To install:

1. Install the power steering/alternator belt first and then the A/C compressor drive belt.
2. Adjust the belts to the proper tension by turning the adjusting bolts and tighten pulley fixing nut/bolt.
3. Tighten the mounting nut of the power steering/alternator tensioner pulley to 36 ft. lbs. (50 Nm).

NOTE The manufacturer does not provide a torque specification for the bolt that secures A/C tensioner pulley.

1. Connect the negative battery cable.
   

GM Astro/Safari 1985-1996 Repair Guide
Power Steering Pump - REMOVAL & INSTALLATION
(see Figures 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7)



Fig. 1: Exploded view of the power steering pump assembly mounting-2.5L engine



Fig. 2: Exploded view of the power steering pump assembly mounting-early-model 4.3L engine



Fig. 3: Removing the power steering pump pulley-1985-92 vehicles



Fig. 4: Installing the power steering pump pulley



Fig. 5: Pump pulley removal and installation-1993-96 vehicles



Fig. 6: Exploded view of the power steering pump mounting-late-model 4.3L engines (1993-96 shown)



Fig. 7: Typical power steering pump hose routing-1996 shown


The following procedure requires the use of the GM Puller tool No. J-29785-A (1985-92), Puller J-25034-B (1993-96) or equivalent, and the GM Pulley Installer tool No. J-25033-B or equivalent.

1. Disconnect the negative battery cable for safety.
2. For 1996 vehicles, remove the air cleaner assembly for access.
3. For 1993-96 vehicles, remove the hood latch and the upper fan shroud.
4. Release tension and remove the drive belt.
5. Remove the power steering pump pulley using a suitable puller tool.
6. Remove the power steering pump retaining bolts, then reposition the pump as necessary for access to the hoses.
7. Position a fluid catch pan under the power steering pump.
8. Remove the hoses from the power steering pump and drain the excess fluid into the catch pan.

WARNING Be sure to cap all openings in the pump hydraulic system to prevent excessive fluid spillage and the possibility of system contamination.

1. Remove the power steering pump from the vehicle.
   

To install:

1. Position the pump to the vehicle, then uncap and connect the pump hoses.
2. Install the steering pump to the retaining bracket, then secure using the retaining bolts. Tighten the power steering pump-to-bracket bolts to 37 ft. lbs. (50 Nm). For 1996 vehicles, tighten the nut to 30 ft. lbs. (41 Nm).
   

On early-model vehicles where the drive belt is tensioned by pivoting the power steering pump assembly, do NOT fully tighten the mounting bolts at this time, since you will just have to loosen them again for belt installation and adjustment.

1. Install the pump pulley using the GM Pulley Installer tool No. J-25033-B or equivalent. Press the drive pulley onto the power steering pump.
2. Hand-tighten the pivot bolt, the adjusting bolt and the washer.
3. Install the drive belt. On early-model vehicles so equipped, properly adjust the belt tension. For details on belt installation and tension adjustment.
4. For 1993-96 vehicles install the upper fan shroud and the hood latch assembly.
5. For 1996 vehicles, install the air cleaner assembly.
6. Connect the negative battery cable.
7. Refill the power steering reservoir and bleed the power steering system.
8. Remove the jackstands and carefully lower the vehicle.
9. Road test the vehicle, then check and top-off the power steering fluid.

hope this help (remember rated this post) Good luck.

You will need some wrenchs, usually 1/2 inch and 9/16 or the metric equivalents 13 and 15 and something to pry with, a long screwdriver or wheel wrench,something flat and long.
Before you start look at the bottom pulley on your engine and note which groove is for which belt, they have to go back on the proper groove.
The alternator is probably the first belt from the rad, so loosen the bolt on the top of it and the one on the bottom, which you may be able to see but will probably have to feel out. Just a couple turns so it will loosen and you can remove the belt. You will have to feed it off over the fan one blade at a time. The second groove is probably the power steering.
On the back of the power steering pump you will see a bracket with a slot in it and a bolt. Loosen that bolt 3 or 4 turns. On the front of the pump there are 2 bolts to be loosened, 1 on top at the engine and one on the bottom about 7 o'clock. It will be hard to spot but feel around. Push the pump into the engine and start to feed the new belt over the fan, one blade at a time and slip it on the pulleys. Look at it from the side of the car and make sure the belt is lined up with itself to and bottom, it should be perfectly in line with itself.If not change pulleys until it is. use the pry, making sure it is on metal and not the plastic tank and snug the belt up. Tighten the back bolt first, and check the belt for tension, it should flex about 1/2 inch. Tighten the other two bolts on the pump.
Replace the alternator belt the same way, tightening the top bolt first. If ,by chance, you strip this bolt it's no big deal. Just get a longer bolt, same size that you can put a nut on and tighten it. Check for flex, 1/2 inch and tighten the bottom bolt.
Start the car once you have everything tightened up and turn your steering wheel lock to lock. If it turns hard or squeals, the belt needs to be tighter. Also check your charging light or guage to see that the car is charging. If not then tighten the alternator belt some more.
Don't be surprised if the power stering needs to be tightened in a while down the road, belts stretch over time.
If you have to remove an AC belt the tightening bolt should be at the back of the compressor, same as the power steering. Hope this helps.

look thru the front hold of pS pulley
see bolt hole (missing bolt now)
replace this bolt and belt
then tension it.
then tighten this missing bolt.

done.
just like mine.
im doing a timing belt now.
this is an interference motor , you do too.

Fig. 6: Some pulleys have a rectangular slot to aid in moving the accessories to be tightened