Best power steering belt maker?

[Desert Rat]

I was talking to a mechanic and I asked him who made the best power steering belts, aka won't slip or stretch. He said to go with one that has the teeth on it like the Goodyear belts. However, he thought that the Goodyear belts tended to stretch too much and had to be replaced often. He recommended another brand which I promptly forgot. Any recommendations? He also said that if I was to put a smaller pulley on the pump, it would keep the pressure up better in low rpm situations like rock crawling.

 

[camiswelding]

gates....

but I use goodyear... and I have never had one break that I can recall.. I replace them about every 3-4 years.... as a part of maintenance

 

[Desert Rat]

Gates, that was the one he recommended..

 

[rdn2blazer]

Gates is the only belts I use.

 

[theperfectgarage]

Gates. PAD.

 

[Desert Rat]

Sounds like I need to track down a Gates belt. Any comments on reducing the diameter of the pulley to increase pressure at low speeds?

 

[dremu]

Sounds like I need to track down a Gates belt. Any comments on reducing the diameter of the pulley to increase pressure at low speeds?

I worry about running the pump any faster than it already does at highway RPM's.

There are other ways to change the pump for pressure. Everything (or at least a lot of what) you ever wanted to know about the Saginaw style pumps:

http://westtexasoffroad.homestead.com/powersteering.html

If you're still using the compression (i.e. not O-ring) style fittings, I prolly have an extra one you can drill out if you wanna play with it.

-- A

 

[Desert Rat]

Well, I tightened up the slack in the belt and not much help. Now it squeals.

 

[dremu]

Well, I tightened up the slack in the belt and not much help. Now it squeals.

If you mean the pump squeals (as opposed to the belt), you're in for some fun. Could be that the bracket is misaligned, could be the pulley, could be the phase of the moon.

Monument has the Lucas Oil Treatment for PS pumps which does stop some squealing, fwiw.

-- A

 

[FOR MUD]

NAPA sells gates belts and hoses .

 

[Desert Rat]

I may try swapping in one then and see if it changes. I'm still having steering issues. When the truck isn't moving, and I turn the wheel, it skips and pulses like I've maxed it out at full turn. A shop told me that belt is slipping and to tighten it up. I did so, but no change.

 

[dremu]

I may try swapping in one then and see if it changes. I'm still having steering issues. When the truck isn't moving, and I turn the wheel, it skips and pulses like I've maxed it out at full turn. A shop told me that belt is slipping and to tighten it up. I did so, but no change.

Pulsation can be attributed to TOO MUCH pressure. Do I remember you having a fancy PSC pump and maybe a stock box?

-- A

 

[Desert Rat]

Nope, the box is built by PSC as well specifically for the crossover application.

 

[dremu]

Nope, the box is built by PSC as well specifically for the crossover application.

That's bad then, if it's chattering. Yeah, try a new belt, or I'd call PSC and ask.

-- A