Having rough time installing power steering pump belt on my 280SL.

[CJHenderson]

Having rough time installing power steering pump belt on my 280SL. I have a new belt AVX 13x750 belt and my bracket that holds the pump does not have much adjustment movement. What am I doing wrong? Also, I have this adjuster that is supposed to be part of that belt adjustment. When dismantling the car this item was not on the pump. Do I need it and how do I attach it?

[Pawel66]

Some hints here maybe:

https://www.sl113.org/forums/index.php?topic=13890.msg94363#msg94363

and here:

https://www.sl113.org/forums/index.php?topic=26001.msg186185#msg186185

[dirkbalter]

And here.

[ja17]

That part is mainly to tighten the belt. It sould not keep you from getting a new belt on. Make sure all the frt bolts are loose and there is also one bolt on the rear which must be loose. At that point move the pump inward and the belt should go on. It is always a tight fit anyway. It will require some force to slip it on.

[CFF]

That’s part of the adjuster. If you look at the bottom bolt on the power steering pump bracket you’ll see it fits over that bolt. It’s also missing two jam nuts.

The belts tight as can be Mercedes could have made it a 760mm belt! Start the belt and bar the motor over it will go on.

[CJHenderson]

Well so much for the belt adjuster, it snapped when trying to tighten the belt. I didn't have it when I stripped the engine down and I will not waste my money on another one.

[Pawel66]

It is a $100 at Mercedes or EUR 30 at SLS item. I think your belt may be squeaking if not tightened. Maybe you have not loosen all the bolts that should have been loosen. There should not be such strong forces there that would make it snap...

[CJHenderson]

They where all loose, I resorted to crow bar to take any slack out.

[Kevkeller]

There’s a spacer that on my car makes it very difficult to loosen and move the pump back and forth.  I’ve thought about grinding off a couple thousandths to make it easier.

[Pawel66]

In case it is needed: there are various lengths of this spacer available at dealers.

[CJHenderson]

Finally got the power steering mounted, but next time I have to change the belt I will yank the spacer out and shave it. Thank you all for the great advice.

[Kevkeller]

I’ve got a lathe and I can use that to take a little off. If I screw it up I’ll make a new one easily.  But it really made things difficult being so tight.