HELP! How to adjust water pump belt tension with Power Steering?

[Moparfiend]

Help, I don't see a way to adjust the belt tension on the water pump/power steering belt? I just changed the water pump on the 318 and there is no way to take the slack off or adjust tension like there is on the alternator. Am I to just take the pulley off the water pump and fight the belt and bolts and get what I get for tension?

 

[plymouthman72]

On my 340, you very slightly loosen the 2 bolts on the power steering bracket and there should be a square hole in the bracket itself where you can insert a half inch socket wrench into the bracket and pull tension on the power steering pump. I would think it's the same for a 318 but I could be wrong. Here is what mine looks like.

 

[oldbee]

If there’s no hole you loosen mounting nuts/bolts a little and pry on bracket- but DONT pry on pump body/reservoir.

 

[moparwacko]

Loosen the mounting brackets for the PS Pump. You'll see it drop, there is a square drive for adjustments, or a BFB (big fu#*$n bar). It will be self explanatory when you loosen it.
Good luck

 

[Moparfiend]

Awesome thanks so much guys!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I see the square hold for the socket. Not a lot of adjustment range but enough I think....

 

[WileERobby]

You put the square drive of your breaker bar in the square hole. Adjust and tighten to specs. I always used the diameter of the socket I used to tighten the bolts as the "rough" way to judge belt tension.

 

[oldbee]

On a normal Gdyr/Dayco numbering chart a 44015 belt would be 44” circumference with 15/32” top width on belt. Sooo a 44515 wud be 44-5/8” circum. 44217= 44-2/8” by 17/33” width. Easy to figure longer/shorter from what you currently use.