I've finally got my car on the road, and apparently my P/S doesn't like me. After driving for like 10 minutes, the belt jumps off the pulley. This is the 2nd time it's happened, out of 2 drives. This time it managed to stay on the pulley, although upsidedown, so I ended up with like 1/4 power steering. Scary stuff.
My question is, why is this happening? I know the pulley itself is wobbly, maybe an 1/8 inch or so to either side, still pretty noticable. Would that, in conjunction with the belt being not quite tight enough throw it off? I'd thought I got the belt as tight as I could, but maybe not. Either way, I'm gonna replace the pulley soon. Any insights would be nice, even though I kind of answered my own question.

 

If its tight (the way it was designed to be) it won't fall. So sounds like you're on the right track to fixing it.

 

What are you using for ps bracketry. It sounds like you have to fabricate some custom brackets.

I had to and alot of others do also.

 

I'm using the stock P/S bracket, and all other stock brackets. However, I did remove the A/C compressor from my engine, and that bracket was kind of attached to the P/S bracket, but it didn't seem like it would make a difference to me. I guess I'll just get a new pulley and make sure the belt is really tight.

 

I'm not sure how much of the original bracket you've retained, but the portion of the AC compressor bracket that attaches to the power steering pump bracket must stay in place -- if you've removed it, the pump would probably shake around and wobble under load, possibly throwing a belt.

I've pulled my AC compressor too, but I cut off the excess bracket while retaining the remainder of it. Take a look at the picture; the red arrow is where I made the cut.

Oh, and don't make the belt TOO tight -- it'll put unnecessary strain on the PS pump and water pump, greatly shortening the life of the bearings/bushings.

 

Damn blue86iroc, you were 100% right. I went down to the junkyard and picked up the A/C compressor brackets, bolted 'em in and the P/S works great now. Thanks a ton.

 

Frank, I'm glad to hear that you got your steering fixed... it's definitely not something you want to lose!

 

Yes, it is definately a good think to have. These cars a mother to steer without the P/S. However, after driving it around for a while, I noticed that the steering makes noise sometimes, like a little grinding type noise when you go a long ways to one side. You think the pump I got is the problem? Or the fact that it's driven by only one belt, instead of the two like it was with the A/C compressor? Any ideas?

 

I've had my AC compressor removed for quite some time now, and I've never experienced a problem with having it driven by only one belt. Theoretically, though, two belts would be a more durable situation -- this is why alternators on a V-belt motor typically have multiple-ribbed belts.

Power steering pumps tend to whine when they are low on fluid, there is air in the system, or the bearings are worn out. I would guess that since the bracketry was all out-of-whack and you were throwing belts, it may have damaged the bearings to the point where they don't freely rotate anymore -- even on a brand new pump. I'd also be a bit leery about the pulley... if you know it's axis isn't true, then you'd might as well replace it. The tension of the belt will create "pressure points" on the bearing as the out-of-round pulley rotates, unevenly wearing the bearing. It's just like an engine -- you don't put a motor together with a bent crankshaft, because you'll shred the bearings in no time.

 

Hmmm, that would make sense. However, I just put a different pump, not a brand new one in. Whole thing, resevoir, pulley, pump. I'm gonna put a new belt on, since that old belt is probably screwed up from being thrown off.