Power steering belt question... - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

dave255 · 01-04-2009, 09:26 PM

1995 Camry 5SFE

How do you add tension to the power steering belt?? I was under the hood today for a few minutes and couldn't see how to do it. There is no threaded tensioner(as there is for the drive belt) that I could see. Did I miss it?? Any help would be appreciated. Thank you in advance!!

Jimnist · 01-05-2009, 04:33 AM

If it's anything like the 2nd gen camry's, then you will have to adjust right at the pump mounting itself. Undo the bolt which allows the pump to pivot along the mounting bracket, use an extension bar to get some leverage on the pump and re-tighten.

Don't forget, too loose= slipping belt, too tight= prematurely worn bearings/pump due to the additional pressure

donbryce · 01-05-2009, 08:06 AM

I had to take the PS belt off to do the timing belt on my '96 Camry (1MZFE). You might need to remove right front wheel and the plastic cover to access the adjusting bolt, which on mine was tightened down over a slotted piece attached to the pump. The shop instruction says to loosen a pivot bolt as well, but I couldn't figure out which one of the nearly impossible-to-access other bolts it was. I removed the securing bolt in the slot, then used a small bar and hammer to drive the pump upward to loosen the belt. I pounded the end of the slot down to tighten the new belt, which I assume is what is needed to adjust an old one. NOTHING in that area is easy to see, touch, get a wrench or socket on, or loosen/tighten. Have LOTS of patience. OTOH, maybe your 4 cylinder is better designed.

Jimnist · 01-05-2009, 08:11 AM

I think by drive belt he means serpentine belt i.e. the one that powers the A/C and alternator, not the timing.

The pivot bolt is at the top of the pump mounting, it;s not necessary, but makes tightening.....somewhat easier, depending on which way you do it. And yea, you do have to remove the splash covers. It's easiest to work with the car up on chassis stands and you underneath on a creeper.

dans01camry · 01-05-2009, 11:22 AM

I thought that belt deflection was 1/4 of an inch?

dave255 · 01-05-2009, 04:11 PM

Thanks for the replies. Yeah I had a feeling I would just have to loosen the pivot bolt and securing bolt and then use an extension bar or something to get some leverage to re-tighten. Man this is going to take some major patience. That pump is in such an awkward spot...

***dz63*** · 01-05-2009, 04:25 PM

^^^^ What donbryce & Jimnist said. Remove the right wheel to access. Pinch bar to tighten. It's a pain to get at on the 5S-FE too. In a parking lot, crank the wheel to the right or left all of the way - if belt it squeals, its too loose. I tightened mine a few weeks after initial belt change and still get the occasional squeal.

Grimey92CamryLE · 02-11-2009, 11:24 AM

You basically just loosen the pivot bolt and the bolt on the adjust bracket, pry with a long bar of sorts and then tighten the bolts. It really isn't as easy as it sounds unless you have the serpentine belt off and the aluminum bracket removed from the top near the alternator. My apartment complex yells at me if I jack my car up so I had to do it with the wheel on.

good luck