retracting P.S.Idler pully

[Robert E Cooley]

Following the Power Steering Pump Repair "How To" but the Idler Pully does not retract when I turned "clockwise" on the bolt. The bolt retracted 3/4 inch but the pully did not retract or take tension off the belt. Now what ?
Cut the belt and hope to replace it when I free the pulley ? or remove the entire idler Pully Bracket [ugly]?Other options,Thanks,Bob

[Trevor]

Originally Posted by Robert E Cooley

Following the Power Steering Pump Repair "How To" but the Idler Pully does not retract when I turned "clockwise" on the bolt. The bolt retracted 3/4 inch but the pully did not retract or take tension off the belt. Now what ?
Cut the belt and hope to replace it when I free the pulley ? or remove the entire idler Pully Bracket [ugly]?Other options,Thanks,Bob

In this part of the world, it is standard practice to replace the complete idler assembly when changing the cam belt, as a cost effective precaution.

[SVXMAN2001]

the ps pulley is tensed by the idler pulley as you know. To remove the belt,
1st loosen the lock nut on the actual pulley, then by turning the adjuster screw you can either tighten or loosen the belt tension as desired...

[Robert E Cooley]

Thanks for the tip about loosening the Idler pulley nut,that was not in the "How TO" document and it was my first time at that, worked fine after. The "How TO "also does not indicate that you need a bearing puller to get the bearing out of the Steering pump body. All back together now and it works great.

[SVXMAN2001]

glad it worked out for you, I made the same mistake when I first attempted the same project as you...always good to seek advice from the board before you start tinkering if you are unsure.