[christine]

A couple of months ago when I had the timing belt replaced, I also had the power steering belt replaced. When we were installing the TT cam a couple weeks ago, we were also gonna do the power steering belt but the thing was on there too tight, so we just left it there. It seemed like it was one size too small, but it was doing its job [until this weekend]. Saturday night, the belt came off and I was left stranded on the freeway at 2:00 in the morning. Luckily, my friends were only 15 minutes away. So on Sunday afternoon, they go to working on the car. We went to one parts store and they gave us what was supposed to be the right sized belt. It was too small. We went to another parts store and they told us that that was indeed the right size. We decided to just get the next size up and that's what we used. It went on with no problem and so far it's running ok.
Question:
Is it ok to be running that belt even though its not what the book says? Is the book wrong or did somebody change the pulleys on me without telling me?

 

[collins_tc]

Re: power steering belt (christine)

I doubt that anyone changed the size of the pulley wheels. The only thing i can think of is that maybe there's a different size between OBD1 and 2 and they were giving you the 2 model. I have a 94 and mine fit perfectly.
I just looked at my A3 parts master list and there are 4 numbers listed: gas w/AC, gas w/o AC, diesel w/AC and diesel w/o AC. I'm assuming you have a gas model with AC, so it should be part number 037 145 271F.
HTH,
T.C.

 

[christine]

Re: power steering belt (collins_tc)

Thanks TC. I don't remember what number they gave us originally and the one we put is #15300 [it's some generic belt so it wouldn't have a vw part number].
Yup, I have OBD1 gas with AC. I'm gonna write that down in the owner's manual and the Bentley for future reference.

 

[bajan01]

Re: power steering belt (christine)

Was the diameter wrong or the width?
If it's the diameter then loosening the bolts to the pump and adjusting the pump itself should do the trick (to a certain extent). If you have the wrong width then you will have problems.


[Modified by bajan01, 1:53 PM 2-11-2002]