yes, I think that's the problem very likely - too wide a belt.
shouldn't be too hard to find a 9.5 mm wide V-belt. by 1080 long.
go online to Gates Rubber .........
or any of many many places.

----- Original Message -----
From: "Stefan Andreasen" <stefan.andreasen@GMAIL.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Tuesday, September 16, 2008 1:44 PM
Subject: Re: power steering V-belt falls off

>I have this exact same problem on my 86 vanagan.
>
> My old vbelt that worked for 20+ years recently fell of and broke. Then I
> bought new ones, so far three, and they keep falling off after driving 10
> minutes to 8 hours.
>
> I found out that the old vbelt is size 9.5x1080 (which is also the saze
> stated in the Bentley manual) while the only new ones I can find are
> 10x1075. It looks like the old original vbelt had a better fit, i sat
> deeper
> in the track.
>
> Could this be the problem, and if yes, does anyone who know where to get
> the
> REAL ORIGINAL SIZE 9.5x1080?
>
> Best
> Stefan