Ross Power Steering Idler Kit

[Dose Pipe Sutututu]

So yesterday, giving the car an once over before tomorrow night's event I noticed something rather alarming.

The Ross PS idler actually fouls the AC compressor belt.

You can see the scoring on the lower belt. I tried using the RB26 spacer included in the kit but it ends up only supporting 2/3s of the belt and the other 1/3 overhangs. Either approach is going to be good for tomorrow night so I ended up using a 4mm or so washer and packing out the bracket to move the idler forward. Seems clear everything now, however the idler bracket bolts are now really close to the PS belt itself. (Didn't take photos of this, finished up late night and just wanted to go to sleep).

I've contacted Ross Performance and hoping they are able to machine down the RB26 spacer, here's hoping they reply at all lol... 

I'll take a photo of what I've done tonight when I'm back home.

[GTSBoy]

Seems to me that lifting the idler up vertically a tiny bit is what is required. A little less positive action on the PS belt perhaps, but.....clearance from what's below.

[Dose Pipe Sutututu]

It seems they didn't design this for RB25 motors with AC, or thoroughly test fitment on all combinations and permutations.

Then again their target market are heavies.

 

[Dose Pipe Sutututu]

Added spacers to clear the AC belt and had do remove the spring washers on the bolt side to allow it to clear the PS belt.

Fun times, not. Piece of shit car, always spannering the lump of shit before events.

There's about 8mm of clearance to the fan blade, camera angle makes it look much closer.

Will trade for a F80 LCI M3 if anyone is keen?

[Dose Pipe Sutututu]

So update, Ross said they would review it and they never got back to me.

After a couple of follow ups, nothing. Even tried messaging them on IG and nothing. Guess I'm not a big player (spend heaps) or have any social presence.

They're happy selling products that semi work (works great if you don't have A/C) and when you try to provide constructive feedback you're met with radio silence.

Guess it will just have to live with the spaced out bracket using washers - better than nothing, just annoyed I bought something that was supposed to be engineered to fit.. Oh wells, shit box Nissans.

 

[GTSBoy]

It would seem to me that if there is sufficient meat on that idler, then machining a couple of mm off its diameter would help? Or, per my original suggestion, can you do something about the alignment of the mount to the front of the engine to lift it up vertically a little? Or a little of both?

Or, a smaller diameter idler to replace that one?

[Dose Pipe Sutututu]

4 minutes ago, GTSBoy said:

It would seem to me that if there is sufficient meat on that idler, then machining a couple of mm off its diameter would help? Or, per my original suggestion, can you do something about the alignment of the mount to the front of the engine to lift it up vertically a little? Or a little of both?

Or, a smaller diameter idler to replace that one?

Both your solutions are valid, for now the spaced bracket works and when the car is due for any kind of belt change/timing, crank trigger kit (won't be using Ross after this experience), etc. I will look into replacing the idler OR skimming off parts of it.

Sigh... I hate modifying cars now.

[chamama]

I just had similar issue on my r34 gtr where the pulley bracket is hitting the ac compressor belt. Although I have the Ati damper on. 

[Dose Pipe Sutututu]

10 minutes ago, chamama said:

I just had similar issue on my r34 gtr where the pulley bracket is hitting the ac compressor belt. Although I have the Ati damper on. 

Did you try to get in touch with Ross? They will start to reply then ghost you completely.

Even though I was super polite and understanding.

Guess I'm not some famous tiktok YouTuber, hence they don't give two shits.

[fletch rb30]

How much is it pushing down on the PS belt? What if you slot the top hole in the mounting bracket so it can rotate toward the PS pump and raise the idler enough to get it off the AC belt.

In my experience with some mates drift cars, the belt gets flicked off on the sudden decrease in crank pulley speed on the limiter or downshift in a dog box. We came up with a good fix for the 2J using some Mazda timing belt idler that was just resting on the belt and stopped the belt coming off on some cars that were chronic for it.

[chamama]

7 hours ago, fletch rb30 said:

How much is it pushing down on the PS belt? What if you slot the top hole in the mounting bracket so it can rotate toward the PS pump and raise the idler enough to get it off the AC belt.

In my experience with some mates drift cars, the belt gets flicked off on the sudden decrease in crank pulley speed on the limiter or downshift in a dog box. We came up with a good fix for the 2J using some Mazda timing belt idler that was just resting on the belt and stopped the belt coming off on some cars that were chronic for it.

Thanks for the advice. We are try to shave off some material from the bottom of the bracket to see if that works. I ideally wouldn’t want to slot the holes cause that would have the chance to move I think

[Findlay]

Similar experience with Ross pulley. Can't recommend.

[Dose Pipe Sutututu]

11 minutes ago, Findlay said:

Similar experience with Ross pulley. Can't recommend.

Useless lot aren't they?

Releasing stuff on the market that doesn't do what it's supposed to do without you stuffing about with it and spacing out the spacer lol.

FFS.

[chamama]

I think I will try out Frenchy’s power steering kit. Looks like a better solution.

[Dose Pipe Sutututu]

51 minutes ago, chamama said:

I think I will try out Frenchy’s power steering kit. Looks like a better solution.

I think throwing the hydraulic power steering system into the trash and converting to electric power steering, e.g. Astra PS pump would solve many issues.

[Komdotkom]

On 01/10/2024 at 10:16 PM, chamama said:

I think I will try out Frenchy’s power steering kit. Looks like a better solution.

I just put one on my car, nice bit of gear. I've had an astra pump on a car before and wasn't a huge fan, need a way of controlling the pump  speed so it doesn't drive like a '70s Valiant