And I thought I was doing so well...

[Richard Saunders]

I managed to change the battery yesterday - removed and refitted the steering pump and everything. That may not be a big deal for many of you, but for me it was nothing short of a minor mechanical miracle!

The new battery went on charge overnight, so this morning I was up with the sparrows and ready for a test drive. I knew it was too good to be true. I now have a problem where if I turn the steering wheel to left or right the pump drivebelt slips (the belt stays where it is and the pulley wheel spins) making a squealing noise. It may simply be a case that I tightened the front mounting bracket up too much and just have to slacken it off a little (there's very little play at the moment). But my idiot's question of the week is this:

Which groove should the bottom end of the drivebelt go (behind the fan)? I'm wondering if I an advertently placed it on the wrong groove. Here's a picture as it currently stands. Can anyone tell me if this is correct, or should it be on the brown groove next to it (closer to the engine)? At the moment the groove that the drivebelt is not means it is not directly inline with the pump pulley wheel.

As ever - thanks for any guidance.

Richard

Pump drivebelt 1.jpgPump drivebelt 2.jpg

[milothedog]

Richard,

It sounds like you just need to tighten the belt a bit more, no big deal. The belt looks ok in the picture. the other groove is rusty!

Ian.

[Richard Saunders]

Thanks - problem solved. You were right, the belt was a lot slacker than I'd thought. Good to know I'm connected to the right groove.

[RogerP]

What I can't see in the picture is a clamp holding the battery in place, apart from the safety issue it's also a MOT failure.

Rogerp

[Richard Saunders]

It's there

[RogerP]

It's there

That's good, must go to specsavers.
Roger

[Gareth Evans]

Richard,
Is that a Bosch battery ? What model number is it - I think I'll be needing one soon and nowadays I tend to buy Bosch if I can
Many thanks,
Gareth

[Richard Saunders]

Hi

It's a Varta Blue Dynamite E12. I bought it from The Battery Megastore http://batterymegastore.co.uk/product/574+013+068/

To be honest, if you can get away with one that is less than 175 mm wide I recommend you go for it. The fit is very, tight...

Richard

[martin]

Hi Richard, to make things a tiny bit easier, just inboard of the PAS filler, is an engine lifting eye (black) to tighten the belt, push a large screwdriver through the eye, rest the tip a couple of inches in and lift, that lifts the pump and tightens the belt, now hold the tension while you nip up at least two of the bolts, then check the tension and repeat, or slacken, as it needs. Trying to lift the pump with one hand and tighten things with the other is VERY hard. Martin.