Please HELP! Have Spent 6 Hours Trying to Replace Power Steering Pump Belt - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

Joesmith2k · 05-22-2009, 12:44 PM

For the life of me I can't figure out what I'm doing wrong.

1994 Camry V6 XLE

1. Removed RH front wheel.

2. Removed fender apron.

3. Loosened adjusting bolt.

4. I know I'm supposed to loosen the pivot bolt and I thought I did....

But the power steering pump won't move!!! Did i loosen the wrong bolt? What size is the bolt? Where exactly is it in relation to the adjusting bolt? Also, I Know I'm supposed to "swing the P/S pump towards the engine" but what does towards the engine mean? Does that mean I pull upwards, push in, or pull towards the front of the car?

I looked at the following diagram as well as those in the Gen 3 service manual.

http://autorepair.about.com/library/faqs/bl794h.htm

Like I said, I'm certain I've loosened the adjusting bolt but I can't get that frackin' gatorback belt around the PS pump pulley. Please... Any advice or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

samarai912 · 05-22-2009, 01:03 PM

Are You Removing It Or Installing It? Does The Pump Move? If It Does Move And You Cant Get The Belt On Then You Most Likey Got The Wrong Sized Belt. Compare The Two.

Joesmith2k · 05-22-2009, 01:22 PM

I am trying to install a new belt. The old belt snapped while driving. The pump doesn't seem to be moving which is why I was thinking that maybe I loosened the wrong bolt.

***Eye8Pussies*** · 05-22-2009, 01:46 PM

you probably loosened the wrong bolt. I tend to do that all the time when dealing with that pump / timing belt stuff since there are so many bolts down there

just take a good look at the pump and you'll figure out which one is the pivot bolt

Joesmith2k · 05-22-2009, 03:10 PM

Does anyone know the size of the bolt or its location in relation to the adjustment bolt? Still need help. Thanks in advance.

500KCamry · 05-22-2009, 10:34 PM

If you've loosened the bolt that tracks in the adjustment slot bracket, you should have enough clearance to use a hammer on the end of the adjustment slot bracket and knock it towards the engine or the front of the car. Usually the hinge pin, though snug, will not stop the bracket from moving.

See if it moves - if so - once you get it moved far enough to get a new belt on, you can place a socket with long extension on the adjustment bolt, then use a pry bar, levering on the socket from the engine to move the ticghtening bolt along the slot so the belt becomes tight. Two hands, one to hold and tighten the socket on the adjustment bolt while the other hand is on the pry bar and keeping pressure on the socket, by prying on it from the engine.

Sorry if the description sucks, try it and you'll find the right place to put the pry bar.

P.S. I think the hinge bolt is the second from the top, it's further away from the engine than the top bolt. It has a nut on the other side of the bracket - the side closest to the transaxle. The nut wants to turn when the bolt is turned - it's a bugger to get at with the axle in place - try the hammer mover first.

Joesmith2k · 05-22-2009, 10:54 PM

Thanks for the responses, guys. I gave up after I got well into my seventh hour of trying. I did (finally) find the pivot nut but decided I couldn't reach it with the tools I had. Long story short, I took the car to my local dealer. The mechanic informed me that he had a hell of a time trying to get the belt on and that the pulley was on backwards to boot. This, at least, prevented me from feeling like a total loser. All's well that ends i well I suppose. Thanks for all the help!