Well, here is my take on the procedure, for my '90 Westy. It isn't done often, and
since my feeble old brain can't remember too well, last year I wrote it up with
location & size of fasteners, sequence, etc.
My hands don't have a lot of strength either, so sometimes I have to lever a belt off
the pulleys. Or maybe it was a few MM short, but all belts listed came from list
vendor(s).
And the comment about turning the A/C pulley is probably unique to my situation. The
shop that converted the A/C filed a flat spot on the edge of the pulley to get at the
hex head bolt easier.
And the comments about tightening X-number of bolts may be pretty basic. But then some
people drive out of the campground with the pop-top up! Not me, yet :).

Feel free to comment or criticize.
Jerry

REMOVAL, REPLACEMENT & ADJUSTMENT OF
  VANAGON DRIVE (V)-BELTS

Location of belts, back (back is back) to front, or closest to bumper
to closest to engine:
 Power Steering, Air Conditioner, Alternator/Water Pump

Power Steering belt R&R:
 Loosen 13mm adjustment bolt at top, left.
 Loosen 17mm nut underneath (may be very tight).
 To remove belt, you will have to remove small coolant
 hose that runs through it and connects to plastic coolant
 loop at top rear of engine compartment.
 Use large screwdriver or pry bar to leverage over the
 pump and adjust to 10 to 15mm. TIGHTEN BOTH BOLTS.

Air Conditioner (compressor) belt R&R:
 May or may not be necessary to remove 13mm bolt and hose
 bracket on top, to gain movement.
 Loosen large 8mm hex bolts on top pivot. Move pulley to where
 flattened edge will allow access. Use 8mm hex key and 8mm
 racheting wrench together. Or 8mm hex bit socket with regular
 rachet and necessary extensions.
 Loosen two 13mm nuts underneath, left side.
 Back off (loosen) 13mm adjusting bolt on top left (a lot!).
 Replace belt and adjust to 10 to 15mm deflection.
 TIGHTEN ALL FOUR BOLTS!

Alternator/Water Pump:
 Loosen 13mm bolt underneath.
 Loosen or remove 13mm adjusting bolt on top left.
 Replace belt, adjust to 5 to 10mm deflection.
 TIGHTEN BOTH BOLTS!

BELT NUMBERS & SIZES
Power Steering: #023903137A ContiTech AVX 10x1075.
   (Bentley says 9.5x1080)

A/C Compressor: #255272916 ContiTech AVX 13x1150 (13x1155?).

Alt./Wtr.Pump: #025903137G ContiTech AVX 10x1100.

07-04-06

----- Original Message -----
From: "Donna Skarloken" <dskarloken@GMAIL.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Thursday, June 14, 2007 9:10 AM
Subject: Re: V-belt replacement

> My son and I are novices and are also planning to do this next week - any
> suggestions for beginners?
>
> On 6/13/07, Royston, Jerry <gmr@obpa.usda.gov> wrote:
> >
> > I've planning to replace all three belts this weekend after one broke
> > off while driving.  Is there any step-by-step instructions somewhere for
> > doing this?  Bentley didn't seem to have any useful information.
> > Thanks.
> >
> > Gerry
> >
>
>
> --
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>