On Sun, 18 Apr 2004 17:23:36 -0700, Rob Campbell <rob@PHEMP.COM> wrote:

>Is this (I hope) a simple matter of purchasing a new belt, and replacing it.
Yes, very straightforward.  A wrench or two and a pry-bar is all you will need

>
>Will this belt be simple to find at Napa, etc, or is it an exotic VW item?
Napa will usually have this belt in stock, nothing exotic, 10 X 1080 Belt size.

>Rob Campbell
>87 Westy, Seattle

Hi Rob
Replacing the PS belt is usually pretty easy. Loosen the PS Pump front bracket, the bolt that stops
the pump from pivoting on the main bracket pivot-bolt. The pump will now move a bit, allowing
you to install the new belt. Snug-up the belt by pivoting the pump (here is where a pry-bar comes
in handy) and tighten the bolt holding this adjustment. A new belt ought to depress about 1/4
inch, maybe a bit more, with moderate thumb pressure applied to the centre of the belt, half-way
between the PS Pump and the 3-Groove Pulley. More difficult to describe than to do!

As an aside Rob. Consider purchasing spare belts for both the PS and the Water pump/Alternator.
10 (9.5 WV) X 1080 Power Steering Belt
10 X 1110 Alternator/Water Pump belt
As these belts are subject to breakage, depending on how much gravel you drive on or other road
debris, good to have spares. One can drive without Power Steering (good for an upper arm work-
out) but if the Alt/WP belt lets-go, you only have seconds to shut-down the engine before doing
damage.

Good luck

Phil Z.
87 Westy... formerly from Seattle