Why Would A Brand New Belt Fail?

[ToF]

Hey guys,

Was driving today and suddenly noticed I lost my power steering. Once I stopped and had a look and found that my PS belt which was only just replaced about a month ago had come off and was damaged. Upon inspection it doesn't seem like it got caught on anything, ie fans. But it seems the edge ribs or threading (no idea of what you call them) must of come loose and eventually tore off half of the belt's 4 ribs??.

I'm going to buy a replacement today and try to put it in myself, but does anyone have any tips on how to install it and tension it up correctly?

Thanks

[skylinesome]

hey mate, my oldys had the same sort of problem with there pajero where the belt kept slipping and then breaking off, im pretty sure they had to get the pullys replaced.

[ToF]

Should the PS pulley have any play in it? For example moving in and out a bit??

[R33TOM]

if the belt wasnt put on correctly or the wrong size, than it will cause it to brake,

[RANDY]

belts should have half an inch movement when you push on them. If it tore, like someone else said, it may be a tensioner pulley or something resisting and then snapping the belt.

[ToF]

OK, today I put my new belt in. Adjusted as close as possible to the manual's tension figures just going by my hand and eyes.

Just one problem, on the first start it squeeled for a couple of seconds. I recall this actually happened the day that my belt tore off so I'm a little worried now.

Does anyone know what squeeling generally means? As in too much tension or not enough?

Thanks

[Duncan]

squeeling = too little tension, it is slipping when cold. As it gets warmer it holds properly

[ToF]

FFS! Now I have to pull the airbox and piping out of the way again!!!

Does having too little tension cause a belt to tear off?

Thanks for the replies guys.

[ToF]

While I'm here I might as well ask... What happens when you do it up too tight?

[antz69]

when it is done up to tight causes belt to stretch and overloads pulleys...check all your pulleys and dont overtighten

[ToF]

Hmmm... my belt is squeeling on some cold starts but I can't be bothered to pull everything apart just to get to the adjuster bolt. Anyone know what's the worst that can happen with loose belts?

[SECURITY]

it could slip off again.. and because its looser it will start wearing eariler due to the increase in movement, then stretch some more, then squeel some more.

it'll eventually stop gripping then you'll be back to where you started.